DC Emancipation Day 2020

The library has a wide range of online resources for learning about history. Use these ebooks and databases to learn more about Emancipation Day and DC history. All of these resources are available by going to the DC Library web page and using the online catalog or our collection of goDigital databases. Some may require your DC Public Library card - get a card online here.

 

E-Books - Non-Fiction and Fiction

The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery by Foner, Eric, Dietz, Norman 

Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital  by Asch, Chris Myers Musgrove, George Derek 

Soulcatcher and Other Stories by Johnson, Charles 

Washington The Making of the American Capital by Fergus Bordewich 

Databases and Articles:

The American Mosaic: The African American Experience (Library Card Required)

Celebration of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia - Photos & Illustrations 

District of Columbia Emancipation Act of 1862 - Reference Articles  

District of Columbia Timeline 

Emancipation Proclamation (1863) - Political, Government & Court Documents 


ProQuest: Ethnic News Watch 

"Advocates for D.C. Emancipation Day Push to Save Paid Day Off" - Washington Informer 

"Historic D.C. Courthouse Re-Dedicated" - Washington Informer 

"Washingtonian Slaves Freed First" - Washington Informer 

"Why political emancipation without economic independence is incomplete freedom" - New Amsterdam News 

Access Videos on Demand 

DC Emancipation Day and the Emancipation Proclamation  - Live discussion of the DC Emancipation Day historic documents moderated by Howard University Faculty.

DC Emancipation Act  - National Archives presentation about the DC Emancipation Act.

Emancipation Nation: Constitution Day Panel Discussion - Panel discussion of Civil War scholars at the Smithsonian.

Law Day 2009: Emancipation Proclamation - Presentation at the Library of Congress focused on the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation on the U.S. Civil War.