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MD Celebrates 150th Anniversary Marking End of Slavery

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BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland is celebrating the 150th anniversary marking the end of slavery in the state, a milestone that came after the Emancipation Proclamation.

While President Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation in January 1863, slavery remained in place for many states, including Maryland.

Maryland amended its constitution on Nov. 1, 1864, more than a year before slavery was abolished nationwide with the 13th Amendment.

This year, the Maryland tourism office is promoting a series of events to mark the end of slavery in the state. Annapolis is hosting commemorations through Saturday. Exhibits are also planned at Antietam National Battlefield, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and elsewhere.

Montgomery County Parks will host a hike along the Underground Railroad and tours of a slave cabin Friday through Sunday.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.