The District of Columbia is celebrating an important anniversary this weekend. April 16th marks 161 years since DC Emancipation Day — the day when over 3,000 African Americans were freed from enslavement in the nation’s capital.
“During DC Emancipation Day, we celebrate our history. We celebrate 161 years ago when President Lincoln signed the DC Compensated Emancipation Act,” DC Mayor Muriel Bowser tells ESSENCE about the day that ended slavery in the District and helped mark the beginning of slavery’s end in the United States.
On April 16, 1862, former President Lincoln signed the act, which also compensated former slaveholders for each free person and offered newlyfreed men and women money to relocate. The widely known Emancipation Proclamation, which freed enslaved people in the south, was not signed untilthe following year, in 1863.
Every year, the nation’s capitol commemorates this legislation and the courage of those who fought to make it a reality in a major way with an entire weekend of celebrations.
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