DC Emancipation Day: How to celebrate

Brian Farrell
·1 min read

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Although D.C. Emancipation Day officially is April 16, the District said it will mark the occasion with a number of festivities on April 14 this year, including a parade, concert, and fireworks.

Emancipation Day marks the day that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862. The legislation freed more than 3,100 enslaved people in the District of Columbia.

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Here is the list of celebratory events taking place on April 14:

DC Emancipation Day Parade

2 p.m. 
Starting location: Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 10th and 14th streets NW 
Ending location: Freedom Plaza, located at 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Fifty-one youth volunteers who are participating in the parade will represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia, symbolically, in a show of support for D.C. statehood.

DC Emancipation Day Concert

3 p.m. 
Freedom Plaza, located at 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

The concert features D.C. native Ginuwine, Kelly Price, Ricky Dillard & New G, and EU featuring Sugar Bear. Additionally, Go-go fusion band Black Alley, Marcus Johnson, and other artists are scheduled to perform.

There will be interactive components at the event and food trucks.

Fireworks Display

8:30 p.m.
Freedom Plaza, located at 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

D.C. will offer a stream of all the festivities on April 14 here.

The city also will host its annual Full Democracy Champions Luncheon on April 15, beginning at 12 p.m. The event marks the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. It’s intended to be a tribute to D.C.’s history and to inspire movement towards full voting rights and statehood for the District.

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