Emancipation Day
Around the world, the first day of August is known as Emancipation Day. It is the anniversary of British parliament’s decision to abolish slavery across its empire in 1834.
The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 (which took effect in 1834), freed about 800,000 enslaved people of African descent throughout the British colonies.
Between 1749 and 1816, approximately 10,000 people of African descent came to Nova Scotia. This included the Black Loyalists, refugees from the War of 1812, and indentured servants as well as the Trelawny Maroons and enslaved people of African descent who were brought to Nova Scotia against their will. Once the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 took effect, Canada became a free territory for enslaved people of African descent escaping from America.
Nova Scotia officially designated 1 August as Emancipation Day in the legislature on 13 April 2021.
Emancipation Day Provincial Ceremony 2022:
On Monday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m., Nova Scotia is commemorating the day with Emancipation Day Provincial Ceremony.
You can watch it online at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvhchr5qdce12SScEvKGiPw.
Celebrate and reflect:
If you are looking for ways to celebrate and reflect with others, throughout the month of August, various community-led Emancipation Day events will take place across Nova Scotia and information can be found at http://emancipationdayns.ca.
Town Hall and Town Offices will remain closed on Monday, August 1, for Emancipation Day.
