Emancipation Day celebrates freedom from slavery in the United States and marks the signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. The day commemorates freedom and citizens’ rights as well as the accomplishments of the black community. It is a public holiday in the District of Columbia, falling on April 16th. City offices are closed. If the date falls on a weekend, it is observed on the following Monday.
General Facts about Emancipation Day
| Date | Type | Alternative Names | National Holiday |
| April 16 | Historical | – | No |
What Is Emancipation Day?
Emancipation Day is celebrated to mark the freedom of slaves in the District of Columbia. Today, the holiday also celebrates the accomplishments of the black community in the District of Columbia and all around the United States.
In states that were formerly part of the Confederacy, the date varies. Former Confederate states celebrate a number of different days in 1865 when the official announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was made locally. For example, Texas celebrates Emancipation Day on June 19th, known as Juneteenth. This has been proposed as the date for a national celebration of Emancipation Day.
The History of Emancipation Day
Although the District of Columbia harbored an active slave trade from its founding in the 1790s, the free black community steadily grew as slaves were freed by their owners or were able to purchase their own freedom. From the beginning of the Civil War, blacks from other states sought refuge from slavery in the nation’s capital. Despite the presence of slavery in the city, the anti-slavery movement was an active part of the political landscape. There were many abolitionist activists and anti-slavery publications in the city, influencing people throughout the United States.
Increasing political pressure caused President Lincoln to act and free the enslaved persons in the city. Lincoln’s goals were to free the slaves in the city, while compensating the slave owners and providing an incentive for former slaves to move abroad.
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. Lincoln first proposed this act in 1849 when he was a member of Congress, but it failed at that time. In December 1861, another bill was proposed in Congress. The sponsor was Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts. This bill passed the Senate and House in the spring of 1862.
The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act included a fund of $1 million to compensate owners up to $300 per slave. Also, the bill provided for up to $100 for each freed slave who agreed to move abroad to such places as Haiti or Liberia. More than 3,000 slaves were freed by the Act.
A supplement to the Act passed on July 12, 1862. This allowed former slaves whose owners did not apply for compensation to do so on their own behalf.
In 1866, the first anniversary of the signing of the Act after the end of the Civil War, the celebration of Emancipation Day began. The black community of the District of Columbia organized a large parade which was held annually until the early twentieth century. The parade included African American civic organizations, militia groups, and Civil War veterans. The parade route passed the White House, and several Presidents observed it.
While the date celebrated as Emancipation Day is the date of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act in Washington, DC, the day also celebrates the abolition of slavery in the United States through the Emancipation Proclamation of January, 1863 and the ratification of the 13th Amendment of 1865.
Celebrating abolition of slavery, District of Columbia, April 19, 1866
Emancipation Day Celebrations
Today, Washington, DC celebrates Emancipation Day with a parade, a free concert, and fireworks commemorating the end of slavery and celebrating the vibrant black community. The parade is held on the Saturday closest to the date of April 16th.
The parade itself features marching bands, units from the US Armed Forces, local first responders, historical reenactors, children’s characters and balloons, and community organizations including those promoting DC statehood. The concert features popular recording artists, radio and television personalities, and spoken word artists.
Since Emancipation Day is a city holiday in Washington, DC, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is also affected. If April 15th, the normal deadline for income tax returns, falls on a Sunday, Emancipation Day is celebrated on Monday, moving the nationwide tax return date to Tuesday, April 17th.
Final Thoughts
Emancipation Day is an important commemoration of the end of slavery in the District of Columbia and the United States as a whole. President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act in 1861, freeing the slaves in the city while providing compensation to their former owners. Today, as well as marking the end of slavery as an institution, Emancipation Day celebrates the history and pride of the black community.
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