(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off the celebration of the 156th anniversary of Emancipation Day in Washington, DC. Emancipation Day honors President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862, which freed over 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia. As Mayor Bowser continues to push for inclusive prosperity, this year’s Emancipation Day events will celebrate DC’s progress in advancing racial equality and civil rights, and highlight the importance of the continued fight for DC statehood.
This morning, Mayor Bowser attended the Full Democracy Champions Breakfast at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel, where she continued “A Symposium on DC Statehood: The Impact of Federal Gun Legislation on District Residents” this year’s theme for Emancipation Day. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Attorney General Karl Racine joined Mayor Bowser on the panel.
On Saturday, April 14, Mayor Bowser will host the Emancipation Day Parade and the Emancipation Day Concert on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. The parade will showcase champions of civil and voting rights, as well as school groups, to reflect upon the vision toward full democracy for DC residents. The Emancipation Day parade will be emceed by Poet (WPCG 95.5). The concert, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will include performances by: Brandy, Angie Stone, Big Daddy Kane, Allure, Ayre Rayde and Rare Essence. The concert is free and open to the public.
To learn more about these events and occasions happening around the city, visit emancipation.dc.gov.
Emancipation Day Parade
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, at 2 pm
WHERE: Parade route starts at 10th Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, and ends at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
*Closest Metros: Metro Center and Federal Triangle Metro Stations*
NOTE: Members of the public interested in marching with the Mayor are asked to meet at 1 pm, on the corner of 10th Street, NW, and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in order to be ready to step off at 2 pm. To walk with Mayor Bowser, register here.
Emancipation Day Concert
WHEN: Saturday, April 14 at, 3 pm
WHERE: Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
*Closest Metros: Metro Center and Federal Triangle Metro Stations*
NOTE: The concert will be family-friendly, including food trucks on the North and East sides of Freedom Plaza.
Emancipation Day Fireworks
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, at 8:30 pm
WHERE: Freedom Plaza, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
*Closest Metros: Metro Center and Federal Triangle Metro Stations*
Press interested in attending should RSVP using this form.