04/16/2026
Today, we celebrate Emancipation Day, a historic milestone for the District and our nation. On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which ended slavery in Washington, DC, and freed more than 3,100 people. The signing came eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the South. The District’s history is built on the culture and leadership of our Black neighbors, and that legacy continues to drive our fight for self-determination and statehood. It is heartening to see diverse neighbors from every background standing together to protect and expand the rights of DC residents today. All are welcome to join the celebrations this weekend at the 21st Annual DC Emancipation Day Parade and Festival.
