About: 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. It is also observed in other areas in regard to the abolition of other forms of involuntary servitude.