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On April 16, 149 years ago, Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, which freed slaves living in the federally controlled District of Columbia. The legislation, signed 9 months before the Emancipation Proclamation, is the only time the government compensated slaveholders for emancipation. The anniversary has been celebrated with differing degrees of fervor throughout its history, but in 2005, under the Administration of Mayor Anthony Williams, the holiday was made official.

Remember, celebrate and learn with us at these exciting events!
• Monday, April 11, 7:00-9:00pm - Celebrating Emancipation: Setting the Captives Free Capital View Baptist Church, 5201 Division Ave, NE Contact: Reverend John T. Fowler 202-398-1378
• Tuesday, April 12, 11:00am-2:00pm - Forum: The Coming Hour - Emancipation or Extermination African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave, NW Contact: 202-369-5119
• Wednesday, April 13, 1:00-2:00pm - Emancipation Reflections Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave, NW Contact Visitor's Center: 202-673-2402
• Wednesday, April 13, 6:30–8:00pm - Emancipation Day: A Tribute and Celebration Berean Baptist Church, 924 Madison Street, NW Contact: Rev. Robert Childs 202-829-8454
• Thursday, April 14, 2:00–3:30pm - Giant Foods Emancipation Day Community Celebration Coolidge High School, 6315 5th Street NW Contact: Dr. Wendell Moore 301-509-8640
• Thursday, April 14, 5:30–7:00pm - An Emancipation Day Tribute to Myrtilla Miner University of the District of Columbia, Auditorium (A03), 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW Contact: Dr. S. Harmon-Martin 202-274-5787
• Thursday, April 14, 6:00–8:00pm - Blow Pierce Friendship Public Charter School Emancipation Day Program, 725 19th Street, NE Contact: Dale Lyons 202-321-8844
• Thursday, April 14, 7:00pm - Triumph of Freedom: Slavery, Emancipation & the Civil War in the District of Columbia Lecturer – C.R. Gibbs Southeast Neighborhood Library, 403 7th Street, SE Contact: 202-698-3377
• Thursday, April 14, 7:00–9:00pm - Emancipation Day Film Festival Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 Eye Street, SW Contact: 202-484-7700, www.westminsterdc.org
• Friday, April 15, 8:00am–12:00pm - Emancipation Day of Service: Ceremony and Clean-up Historic Woodlawn Cemetery, 4611 Benning Road, SE CONTINUES SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Contact: Tyrone General 301-613-6002
• Friday, April 15, 12:00–4:00pm - Emancipation Holiday Day Festival African American Civil War Memorial, Vermont Avenue and U Street, NW Contact: Frank Smith 202-369-5119
• Friday, April 15, 6:00–10:00pm - Ward 5 Emancipation Day, A Black History Stage Play & Youth Gospel Jam, 701 24th Street, NE Contact: Bernice Blackwell 202-399-1370
• Saturday, April 16, 6:30–8:00am - Emancipation Day, Daybreak Ceremony Emancipation Statue, Lincoln Park, East Capital and 11th Streets, NE Contact: 202-232-2500 or 635-9337
• Saturday, April 16 All Day - Documentary Screening: Enslavement to Emancipation Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, 1411 W Street, SE Contact: Visitor Center 202-426-5961
• Saturday, April 16, 10:00–11:00am - Emancipation Day Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony African American Civil War Memorial, Vermont Avenue and U Street, NW Contact: Frank Smith 202-369-5119