Washington Dc Emancipation Day 2025. Come and celebrate with us. Celebrated annually on april 16th, emancipation day is a holiday that is observed all across the united states, particularly in washington, dc, to commemorate abraham lincoln signing the compensated emancipation act on april 16, 1862.

April 16 marks emancipation day in washington, a day that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the nation’s capital. Franklin square in downtown d.c.