Emancipation in the Capital

On this day 159 years ago, more than three thousand Black individuals were freed in the United States capital. Washington, D.C. passed the DC Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862, freeing thousands of enslaved people in the capital and paving the way for nationwide emancipation. In fact, this day and the emancipation of these many men and women is celebrated as an annual holiday in Washington, D.C today.

The fight to end enslavement in the Nation's Capital was not an easy trek. Many individuals, groups, and organizations had their own opinions and agendas on the matter. Washington, D.C. is located between Maryland and Virginia, which were two slave owning states before 1862. Many enslaved Black people from these neighboring states would often escape to the nation’s capital seeking freedom and refuge. Before the Civil War, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was enacted and thus the government was required to return any escaped enslaved people to their owners if they were apprehended. However, after the official start of the Civil War, any escapees from slavery that came to Washington, D.C. were considered to be refugees.

The description of this photo reads: “Celebration of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia by the colored people in Washington, April 19, 1866, sketched by F. Dielman”

These escapees from slavery were a primary concern of the confederate General Robert E. Lee as he planned to invade Washington, D.C. and force the U.S government to agree to a truce. This truce would allow the Confederacy to be a neighboring nation of the Union with the legal enslavement of the Black population. Due to this, President Abraham Lincoln was facing a lot of demand to act. In response he issued the District of Columbia Emancipation Act. This would come eight and half months before the 16th president issued Emancipation Proclamation. The DC Compensated Emancipation Act gave former slave owners, who were loyal to the Union, $300 per slave they freed, allowing for those who were formerly enslaved to be able to reside outside the U.S. if they chose. If those freed from enslavement chose to leave and emigrate to a different area they would be compensated $100.

This response enacted by President Abraham Lincoln was also given in the middle of General Robert E. Lee’s impending military action. This is important to note and President Lincoln’s decision to enforce the act was symbolic. This is because at the time slavery was still legal in some states across the nation, but abolishing slavery in the nation’s capitol was nothing short of significant.

The District of Columbia Emancipation Act was also a monumental moment for the Black community residing in D.C. This was because a step had finally been made to end slavery, especially in such an important place such as the cation’s capital. The joy of this step was so uplifting and impactful that residents celebrated the act with a huge parade. This parade began in Franklin Square and went throughout the city to then return back to the square. On the first anniversary of the parade almost half of the city’s Black residents came to see and celebrate. The event continues to be celebrated every year even becoming a public holiday in 2005.

Today, Emancipation Day is still celebrated annually in the District of Columbia with the traditional of an annual parade. Here are some photos of the 2018 Emancipation Day celebrations on Pennsylvania Avenue in Downtown DC. Credit: WTOP News.

When the Civil War ended, April 16 was not only celebrated as the day of the abolishment of slavery in Washington D.C, but also celebrated as step towards racial equality and progress. Although the country would still and continuously need to promote equality, this step gave the nation hope that it was headed in the right direction, with freedom and justice for all.

Emancipation in the Capital

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