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DC Emancipation Day and the Emancipation Proclamation
  • Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 - Wednesday, April 17, 2019
  • Time: 11:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

In celebration of DC Emancipation Day, join us for a discussion of both documents, which are on special display this evening. Moderated by Howard University Professor, Edna Greene Medford, panelists include Bowie State University Professor Roger Davidson; historian and author C. R. Gibbs; and Howard University Professor, Elizabeth Clark-Lewis.

The Emancipation Proclamation and the DC Compensated Emancipation Act documents will both be on special display between 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Special performances by the Artists Group Chorale of Washington will take place during the documents display and to begin the program in the theater. Reservations are recommended but not required.

Presented in partnership with the Government of the District of Columbia and the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia.

The National Archives’ celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of The Boeing Company.

All public programs at the National Archives are free. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.

Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202.357.5000 in advance.

Members at the National Archives Foundation often receive advance notice of public programs, invitations to special events, and a 10% discount at the National Archives Store. Learn more and join today!