Information AboutEmancipation Day |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT EMANCIPATION DAY | |
| public holidays in trinidad and tobago | |
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Emancipation Day is a national holiday in Trinidad And Tobago which celebrates the Emancipation of Slaves in the British Empire on August 1 , 1834 . In 1985 Emancipation Day replaced Discovery Day among the holidays of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago was the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. UNITED KINGDOM Emancipation Day was also a celebration by motor car owners in Great Britain upon the repeal of the Red Flag Act , which required all motor vehicle owners to have a man walk in front of their vehicles carrying a warning in form of a red flag. UNITED STATES The Municipality of Washington, DC celebrates April 16 as Emancipation Day. On April 16, 1862 , President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, For the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia. The Act freed about 3,100 enslaved persons in DC nine months before President Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation telegraphing the eventual end of Slavery to the rest of the nation. The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act represents the only example of compensation by the federal government to free enslaved persons. On January 4, 2005 , Mayor Anthony Williams signed legislation making Emancipation Day an official Public Holiday in the District. Each year, a series of activities will be held during the public holiday including the traditional Emancipation Day Parade celebrating the freedom of enslaved persons in the District of Columbia. The Emancipation Day celebration was held yearly from 1866 to 1901 , and was resumed under the leadership of Councilmember Vincent Orange as a tradition and historic celebration in 2002 . SEE ALSO |
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