Photo Friday: Emancipation Day, Washington, DC USA

2016.04.19 Emancipation Day - African American Civil War Memorial 04
2016.04.19 Emancipation Day – African American Civil War Memorial 04 (View on Flickr.com)

Who would be free themselves must strike the blow. Better even die free than to live slaves – Frederick Douglass March 2, 1863

2016.04.19 Emancipation Day - African American Civil War Memorial 04-18
2016.04.19 Emancipation Day – African American Civil War Memorial 04-18 (View on Flickr.com)
2016.04.16 Emancipation Day Washington, DC USA 04159
2016.04.16 Emancipation Day Washington, DC USA 04159 (View on Flickr.com)

The DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ended slavery in Washington, DC, freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. It is this legislation, and the courage and struggle of those who fought to make it a reality, that we commemorate every April 16, DC Emancipation Day.

[miniflickr photoset_id=”72157666677858530″]

[miniflickr photoset_id=”72157665124405944″]

Ted Eytan, MD