Emancipation Day 2026
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About Emancipation Day 2026
Emancipation Day 2026 falls on Thursday, April 16. It falls on a Thursday — take Friday, April 17 off for a four-day weekend.
Emancipation Day, April 16, marks the 1862 law that freed enslaved people in Washington, D.C., nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a legal public holiday for the D.C. government and can shift the IRS tax deadline nationwide.
History, state-by-state rules and dates →
What's closed: U.S. Post Office (USPS) — open; Banks — open; Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) — open; Federal offices — open; State and local government — varies. Full what's-open guide →
Emancipation Day in other years
| Year | Date | Day | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 16, 2026 | Thursday | — |
| 2027 | April 16, 2027 | Friday | — |
Holidays after Emancipation Day 2026
- May 25, 2026 Memorial Day 2026 (Monday)
- Jun 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Independence Day 2026 (Friday)
- Jul 4, 2026 Independence Day 2026 (Saturday)
- Sep 7, 2026 Labor Day 2026 (Monday)
- Oct 12, 2026 Columbus Day 2026 (Monday)
Other holidays in April 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1 | Wed | April Fools' Day | Observance |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday | State holiday |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday | Religious observance |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Tax Day | Observance |
| Apr 20 | Mon | Patriots' Day | State holiday |
| Apr 21 | Tue | San Jacinto Day | State holiday |
| Apr 22 | Wed | Earth Day | Observance |
| Apr 24 | Fri | Genocide Remembrance Day | State holiday |
| Apr 24 | Fri | Arbor Day | State holiday |
| Apr 27 | Mon | Confederate Memorial Day | State holiday |
Quick facts
- Date in 2026
- Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Date rule
- April 16; observed Friday if it falls on Saturday, Monday if on Sunday
- Legal status
- Legal public holiday for the D.C. government since 2005 (D.C. Code § 1-612.02)
- Commemorates
- D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act, signed by Lincoln on April 16, 1862
- People freed
- About 3,100 enslaved residents of the District
- Compensation
- Up to $300 per person paid to Union-loyal slaveholders; about $1 million total
Frequently asked questions
What day is Emancipation Day in 2026?
Emancipation Day 2026 is on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Is Emancipation Day a day off in 2026?
Emancipation Day is a state holiday in the states that observe it, so government offices close. Private employers decide for themselves.
How many days until Emancipation Day 2026?
Emancipation Day 2026 was 200 days ago, on April 16, 2026.