Existing comment:
Emancipation Day Parade:
African Americans marched on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1866 to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the freeing of the District of Columbia's slaves. Many Emancipation Day parades were to follow. President Abraham Lincoln signed the act abolishing slavery in the nation's capital on April 16, 1862, nearly nine months before he signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
1866-1912: Enterprising Era:
Growth of Communications:
Washington was bustling in the years after the Civil War as a new age of invention and business swept the country. New wood-block pavement was laid on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1871. Two new newspapers set up shop on or near the avenue -- the Washington Post in 1877 and the Washington Bee, which covered news of interest to the black community, in 1878. The phone number assigned to the White House was 1, the U.S. Capitol was 2, and the Washington Post was 28. The National Museum, now known as the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building, was built on the Mall in 1881; the Washington Monument was dedicated in 1885. |