Abolition in the District of Columbia

(LoC) - On April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signed an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, an important step in the long road toward full emancipation and enfranchisement for African Americans. Continued

Photo: Celebration of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, by the colored people in Washington, April 19, 1866, F. Deilman (Library of Congress).