April 16 is Emancipation Day

Slavery in America has many components that worked together before it was eventually eradicated. Most people know about the Emancipation Proclamation that officially freed the descendants of Africans who had been forced into slave labor in the southern states. There is also an event that took place earlier that set free slaves in only one particular area in the nation. April 16 is Emancipation Day, which is the date slavery was officially abolished in Washington DC, our nation’s capital, in 1862. At that time, President Abraham Lincoln signed what is known as the Compensated Emancipation Act. This edict effectively abolished slavery, but only in the District of Columbia.

Slavery in the entirety of the United States was not officially ended until 1865, after the Civil War. Emancipation Day is a holiday in Washington DC, where most businesses and schools are closed on that date.By 1860 there were somewhere around 4 million slaves in America and on April 16, 1862, over 3000 enslaved individuals, men, women. and children, living in Washington DC were set free. The status of over 3.5 million slaves in 10 confederate states was changed and they were set free 9 months later, by the Emancipation Proclamation. Although these written edits were made law, slavery was not truly abolished until after the Civil War ended in 1865. This became official on January 31st, 1865 with the introduction of the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution.

In December of that same year, this amendment was ratified by 30 out of 36 states. Emancipation Day was acknowledged, by DC residents but did not become a public holiday until January 4, 2005. This is when Mayor Anthony A. Williams of Washington DC signed it into law. Emancipation Day is celebrated in the District of Columbia on the anniversary of the date of the Compensated Emancipation Act. Whenever April 16 is on a weekend, the holiday is celebrated on the closest following week ay, which is Monday. The city of Washington DC observes this special occasion by hosting events during the entire month of April. There are concerts, memorials, historical announcements, public speaking, and exhibitions.

There are also poetry readings and the laying of wreaths. These activities have been set in place to educate people, about the history of the District of Columbia and also to bring awareness regarding the history of slavery and how its repercussions continue to take a toll in modern day America. There is a big parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, with military marching bands and a display of fireworks to conclude the events. The Covid-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of all activities for 2020, but things should be up and running in 2021. Even if you do not live in the District of Columbia, you still benefit to know this bit of history that may not be well known in the rest of the nation. This is not the first time one state alone, was affected by laws relating to enslaved Americans.

There is an annual celebration named Juneteenth which came about because of something that happened in Texas. Today it is observed by Americans in other states. While Washington DC had the honor of slaves being set free prior to the civil war. Juneteenth came about because of Texans not finding out slavery was abolished after everyone else. On New Year’s Eve 1864, slaves gathered in churches awaiting the news that Lincoln had set them free. Even after it became official on the 31st of January the slaves in Texas missed the announcement. Texas was not a battleground state and somewhat isolated from the text of the Confederate states. The news of freedom did not arrive in the Longhorn state until June 19 of 1865 and the Juneteenth celebration was birthed.

Each year on June 19 or the closest weekend, Americans of all races have local celebrations. In Roanoke Virginia where I live, there is a free fun day at a local park. Food and drinks are given away at no charge and there are speakers and gospel singers. Business owners and those who have Non Profits set up booths sharing information about their business or cause. There are games for the children and it’s quite fun. Some people stay the entire time which is usually ftom 11:00 AM until 8 or 9 PM. It’s interesting that the DC observance of Emancipation Day has not caught on in other areas of the nation, but perhaps one day it will.