Emancipation Celebration

April 19th of 1862 marks a day in history that has since paved the way for the African American community.  It is the day of officially abolishing slavery in the nation’s capital.  The District of Columbia Emancipation Act was passed allowing freedom to all slaves.  Even though the slaves were being freed, the slave-owners also benefited.  They were reimbursed for each freed slave with $300.  Joy rang through the District for the African American population after overcoming such a debacle.  It became a tradition to regularly celebrate Emancipation Day with bands, parades, sermons, and speeches; reliving their individual moments of freedom each time.

On the 4th anniversary of the passing of the District of Columbia Emancipation Act, the African American citizens of Washington D.C. orchestrated their biggest celebration yet. Marching up the famous Pennsylvania Avenue were 5,000 people, all of whom passed 10,000 cheering speculators.  Together, they all headed to Franklin Square for breath taking religious