Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the Caribbean and areas of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent.
In much of the formerly British territories in the Caribbean Emancipation Day is marked on August 1, commemorating the anniversary of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. On August 1, 1985, Trinidad and Tobago became the first independent country to declare Emancipation Day as a public holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. Historically, August 1 was known as West Indian Emancipation Day and it became a key mobilisation tool and holiday for the antislavery movement in the United States.[1]
It is also observed in other areas in regard to the abolition of other forms of involuntary servitude.
Trinidad and Tobago[edit]
On August 1, 1985 Trinidad and Tobago became the first independent country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery.[2]
In Trinidad and Tobago, Emancipation Day replaced Columbus Discovery Day, which commemorated the arrival of Christopher Columbus at Moruga on 31 July 1498, as a national public holiday.[3][4]
The commemoration begins the night before with an all-night vigil and includes religious services, cultural events, street processions past historic landmarks, addresses from dignitaries including an address from the Prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago and ends with an evening of shows that include a torchlight procession to the national stadium.[5][6]
This includes eight territories currently under French sovereignty in the Antilles islands of the Caribbean: