48 additional hours to angst over Tax Day

Tax Day in America: April 15, typically.

This year it’s April 17.

Do you know why that is?

It’s obvious why Tax Day 2012 isn’t on its usual April 15. It’s a Sunday.

But why not on the following Monday the 16th?

Inquiring minds such as mine need to know so I looked it up.

It’s Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, aka Washington D.C., the seat of the country’s government.

So what’s Emancipation Day? Again, inquiring minds.

It marks the day in 1862 when, in the District of Columbia, President Abe Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act.

Which — inquiring minds never rest — in turn did? This from the archives:

” … provided for immediate emancipation, compensation to former owners who were loyal to the Union of up to $300 for each freed slave, voluntary colonization of former slaves to locations outside the United States, and payments of up to $100 for each person choosing emigration.”

Abe’s act in April ended slavery; his renowned Emancipation Proclamation wouldn’t be issued for another some nine months.

And *that* is why Tax Day’s on April 17 this year.

Put that in your hat and smoke it! And just say no to the libs, socialists and dictatorial PC society who tell you you can’t! Speaking of emancipation.

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