DC’s Emancipation Day Concert & Some Thoughts on History

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Hey!!!! Check out some of the pictures from the DC Emancipation Day concert on yesterday. It was a complete jam! Some of the things that I miss most about the summer are the outdoor concerts and festivals where there are tons of happy people enjoying life. That’s exactly what I was in the midst of yesterday as we commemorated an important day in the history of DC.

The celebration concert featured performances from Arrested Development, local heroes Black Alley Band, DJ Kool, Doug E. Fresh, J. Ivy, MC Lyte, and others. So… a late decision to attend and chatting with friends caused me to not get the best spot to shoot, but I hope you enjoy anyway. 🙂

I wanted to share…

Yesterday, a good friend asked about the difference between the DC Emancipation Day and Juneteenth. It’s a good question and I’m glad it was asked – as it caused me to think more about how things have changed (and remained the same) since then; it reminded me how thankful I am for the sacrifices of those before me. I love the history of African people in America so I wanted to share my thoughts with you also.

To me, they are both similar in that they surround the freeing of persons of African descent held in bondage in America. Also, both are really important days in American history and really special days to those who appreciate freedom and liberation for others and self in America.

Ultimately, they are two important occasions on the long timeline of the freedom and liberation of Black people in America. The DC Emancipation document (called the DC Compensated Emancipation Act) was signed in 1862, which is special because that was BEFORE the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Last year was the 150^th anniversary milestone for the Emancipation Proclamation, so that’s a great way to remember the year. You’ll remember that the March on Washington (for Jobs and Freedom) was 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

What I always remember about the DC Emancipation document is that it was only for DC. That sounds really obvious, but to know how small DC really is and then know that it didn’t apply to any happenings just a few miles away in Virginia or Maryland, is rather important to point out. Also, the Act reimbursed those who ‘legally owned’ any of the 3100 African people in DC, hence the word ‘compensated’ in the official name.

The DC Emancipation document was congressional while the Emancipation Proclamation (a war tactic applied to select states) was more so presidential power/proclamation. What we call Juneteenth was in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and it is now a celebration of when the news (of freedom and the war being won by the Union) reached the persons of African descent who were still held in bondage in Texas.

While they are of little difference to some, to many others, they commemorate important forward steps in the history of people of African descent while in this land. I left out many details so you’ll have a fun time researching as you make the time.

Many states/provinces/countries commemorate special days where freedom was had for enslaved persons. Even in the US, there are many others.

Today, I’m thankful for good questions, history and the sacrifices of so many that I’ll never even know.