This Day in History – April 16, 1862 Tags: 19th century American history, 37th US Congress, Abolition of Slavery, abolition of slavery in Washington D.C., Abraham Lincoln, African American, American Civil War, April 16 1862, April 16 1862 history, Civil Rights, compensated emancipation, District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, Emancipation Day, ending the slave trade in D.C., freedom and liberty, Henry Wilson, legislative milestones, precursor to the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery in the nation's capital, social justice history, this day in history, this day in history 1862, This Day in History April 16, US History, Washington D.C. holidays, Share on: Share: This is where the text will go.View our photo collection! View Collection