Emancipation Day observed in United States ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Emancipation Day observed in United States and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Emancipation Day is a holiday observed in the United States on April 16, which commemorates the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Emancipation Act, freeing all enslaved people in the District of Columbia. The Act went into effect on April 16, 1862, making D.C. the first jurisdiction in the United States to abolish slavery.
Emancipation Day is not a federal holiday, but it is celebrated in the District of Columbia and some other jurisdictions. In the District of Columbia, Emancipation Day is a public holiday, with government offices, schools, and libraries closed. Many businesses also close for the holiday.
celebrations usually include parades, concerts, and other festivities. The parade route often passes near the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and other landmarks associated with the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery.
Emancipation Day is also celebrated in some other jurisdictions, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, the holiday is known as “Día de la Abolición de la Esclavitud” and is observed on March 22. In the Virgin Islands, the holiday is known as “Freedom Day” and is observed on June 29.