The Inaugural Parade Tradition

Historical marker location:

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Downtown Washington, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from 15th Street Northwest south of G Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south.)

The District was a major center of the slave trade in the 19th century: Prior to the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was home to one of the largest slave markets in the country. Slaves were bought and sold in public auctions held in the city, and many prominent politicians and businessmen owned slaves.