Emancipation Day in Jamaica (01/08)

More precisely, the holiday is called Emancipation Day in former or existing territories of Britain. This holiday, celebrated magnificently on August 1 in the British Caribbean, is an official holiday in these countries.

Jamaica — is one of the countries celebrating Emancipation Day. For more than 160 years, the country wanted to gain freedom from slavery and become an independent state. But it was not until August 1, 1834, that slavery in the British Empire was officially abolished.

However, then only slaves under the age of six were freed; enslaved people over six years of age continued to work 40 hours a week without pay, as compensation to their former owners. «Real» freedom came to them four years later, in 1838. And the festive Emancipation Day was first celebrated only on August 1, 1962.

Many Jamaicans today do not understand what «emancipation» means. However, many books and articles have been written about the abolition of slavery — the most significant event in Caribbean history.

Also on August 1, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Emancipation Day as an island state in the southern Caribbean Sea —. Some countries celebrate this day on the first Monday in August.

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