D.C.’s Only Official Public Holiday
Open Letter to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty 

Dear Mayor Fenty:

You have set a goal of making D.C. a “world-class city” and you have stated that a “world-class” public education is at the top of your list. We agree. D.C. residents deserve and need what is truly the best education the world has to offer. But there is no way that a people can achieve true “world-class” status without intense respect for their own local history. Our history is the foundation upon which D.C.’s identity and power rests. Yet, this year the D.C. government has not funded an official recognition of a unique part of its past – D.C. Emancipation Day.

The D.C. government and schools were closed by law, not by a Congressional mandate, but by our own law, passed by our own Council and signed by our own previous mayor. Many of our local historians, churches, and organizations have found ways to honor this day. D.C. government representatives and elected officials happily welcome and participate in these events but there is no official government commemoration. We understand there are duties inherent in being the nation’s capital, and hosting the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI is a monumental one. But we say that the official government recognition of this day should not have been cancelled. A “world-class” city must pay respect to its local history.

This coalition has gathered here today in Franklin Square to honor, commemorate and celebrate an important part of that history – D.C. Emancipation Day.  We are all so proud that – 146 years ago today, April 16, 1862, after many acts of rebellion, large and small – those more than 3,100 persons sold into chattel slavery in the nation’s capital were freed by an act of Congress which was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln.  D.C. Emancipation is an extraordinary historic event.  Not only did it happen almost nine months before the great Emancipation Act of 1863, but it serves as a testimony to the power of the grassroots organizing of Ms. Loretta Carter Hanes, her family and many others.  April 16 is now our only official local paid holiday.  Emancipation Day was the former enslaved people’s 4th of July - their day of freedom and independence!

As the slaves in D.C. strode towards freedom from the shackles of chattel slavery – the people of D.C. now stride towards freedom from the master-slave relationship with the United States Congress.  As the escaped slaves strode towards the North Star – we strive towards the 51st star that symbolizes D.C. statehood.

An African proverb reads:  “Until the Lions have Their Historians, Tales of the Hunted will Always Glorify the Hunter”. Let all who have ears hear the “lion” roar!

We say that the DC government must never again cancel its official recognition of DC Emancipation Day!

Sincerely,

Friends of D.C. Emancipation Day, Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition, African American Holiday Association, D.C. Black History Celebration Committee, D.C. Local Organizing Council for Empowerment, Urban Housing Coalition.