11-04-2025
DC set to celebrate 20th anniversary of Emancipation Day holiday with parade, festival
WASHINGTON () — D.C. will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emancipation Day holiday this weekend.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act into law on April 16, 1862, freeing 3,100 enslaved people in the District and compensating their owners. The move came nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
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In 2005, the D.C. Council officially designated the day as a local holiday.
'It's a very significant day of our city's history,' said LaToya Foster, Director of Entertainment for the District. 'The Emancipation Day holiday, it's a time of unity, it's a time of resilience, we do education for people on Statehood.'
The celebration begins with a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
That'll be followed by a festival and concert at Freedom Plaza starting at 4 p.m. Performers include Anthony Hamilton, Chante Moore, Tim Bowman and the Faith City Crank Crusaders, DJ Kool, and Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir.
The day ends with fireworks starting at 8:30 p.m.
'It's a family-friendly event, it's intergenerational, there's something for everyone of the household,' said Foster.
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The celebration comes as the premise of freedom is in question in D.C.
'I frequently reflect on what it means, though especially in the context of these budget disputes,' said Mayor Muriel Bowser, who said that until Statehood is achieved, citizens will never be fully free.
Currently, D.C. is in limbo as it waits for the House to pass the DC Local Funds Act, which would restore $1 billion in funding that Congress cut from DC's local budget last month.
The House left for a two-week recess without considering the measure.
Additionally, D.C. residents are pushing back against the Trump Administration, which has attempted to extend power over the District. The President recently launched a federal task force to 'Make DC Safe and Beautiful.'
'I've called us free-ish,' Bowser said. 'We're free-ish as citizens until we have two Senators and complete autonomy.'
According to Foster, there will be educational opportunities on Statehood at the festival.
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The day is intended to bring unity to the community.
'When people are going through things, there's nothing better than being around others, it helps lift your spirits and lift you up. This is a time we want to life each other up,' she said.
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