Pope John Paul II

Historical marker location:

125 Michigan Ave Northeast, Trinity College, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Michigan Avenue Northeast north of Franklin Street Northeast, on the right when traveling north.)

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.