The Observance of Emancipation Day in Jamaica

The observance of Emancipation Day as a public holiday began in 1893, at which time it was observed on the first Monday in August. Between 1895 and 1962, it was celebrated on August 1, unless the date fell on a Saturday or Sunday.

When Jamaica became an independent nation in 1962, the official observance of Emancipation Day was discontinued in favour of Independence Day, which is observed on August 6. However, since 1997, Emancipation Day as a public holiday was re-introduced and observed on August 1, except when the day falls on a Sunday; in which case it is celebrated on Monday August 2.

The observance of Emancipation Day provides Jamaicans the opportunity to reflect on their ancestors and the freedom for which they fought. In this regard, Emancipation Park in New Kingston, St. Andrew, which was opened on July 31 2002, was built in their honour. The statues of a male and female at the main entrance of the Park commemorate the struggles and victories of Jamaicans.

Since 1997, Parish Vigils are held in observance of Emancipation Day. The events, organised by the
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), take place in major towns throughout the island. One of the largest events is ‘Emancipation Jubilee’, which is held on July 31 at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann. This event usually starts at 6:00 p.m. and continues into the morning of August 1. As a family event,adults and children have the opportunity to learn about and participate in various cultural activities, including our traditional foods and dances. The event is coordinated by the Jamaica National Heritage
Trust (JNHT).

The above information was provided by JIS (Jamaica Information Service)

The powers that be would like us to think our ancestors fought for our freedom, very nice but we all know that that's a myth. Our freedom was granted by an act of the British Parliament.

The worst thing to happen to jamaica was independence from Great Britain,if we had remained under British rule,all the madness and poverty that going on in jamaica would not be happening today.

Hear,hear..Independence a nice sounding word.Independence from what? From good governance, from civilization,civility,order,discipline, the rule of law etc. etc. Our great and noble heroes fought so that we could be free to behead each other, to rob and plunder everything to the very bridge railings and man-hole covers. We should abandon this pretense of being a nation as we are no better off today than in the days of slavery. I dont believe slaves then had the problem of insecurity which face us today and many of us are only working for food which is basically what slavery was about. Some of the stories told about slavery are generally exaggerated, as only the very sadistic beast would go out of his way to actually devalue his assets. In our case our masters don't give a damn about our welfare until it is time to vote. And they keep reminding us of the hardships of slavery which neither they nor us know anything about. They dont want us to focus on the fact that after fifty years of so-called Independence, we have nothing to show for it.

Noble men and women gave their lives to see an end to slavery Spooky Dude. I don't think you gave your comments much thought before shooting from the hips. They gave their lives to put an end to incessant indignity to humanity. They gave their blood that men and women may be free. Emancipation is just that Spooky Dude; FREEDOM.

People all over the world are still dieing today for a chance at freedom. Since you don't think slavery is so repugnant, you may want to consider giving up your spot on the Rock and trading places with them. Don't tell me that it would be ok for you to see humans captured, packed into the bottom of a ship like rats, starved, beaten, suffer the most God-awful sickness and, if they finally make it, spend a lifetime being treated worse than cattle.

There is so much more I could say to you but nuff said.....I think.

Spooky Dude, to equate present day conditions to slavery is way overboard. I don't see any "powers that be" forcibly tearing families apart; sending mothers here, fathers there, and children over there. I don't see any powers stripping you down on the plantation and lashing you within an inch of your life for the most trivial of offense. I don't see anyone prohibiting you from going about your lawful business; preventing you from freely moving around; living where you want to live, or marrying whom you wish. I dare say thou protesteth too much Spooky. Way too much.

As for anyone claiming Colonialism was better, you need to look in the mirror and ask what are you doing to make Jamaica a better place. It's no good pointing the finger and throwing your hands up in the air! Roll your sleeves up and get to work!

Sleeves rolled up and raring to go.

Recapitulating:

1. Anancyfication gotta go!

2. Ginnalship. Teif a teif.

3. Bad Mind. Let me know how you deal with that.

4. Resentment. Get over it, there's always someone smarter, richer, prettier ...than you.

5. Denial. I can only fool myself.

6. Groupthink. The joy of the mind control crew.

7. Arrogance. Check your size in cosmic terms.

8. Phallusses gone wild. So? Check a donkey.

9. Man fi dead. Yea, when you can bring him back to life.

Longing to be Emancipated.

Any more folks?

Enough, I am sure there were atrocities committed during slavery, but man to man have been wicked not only during slavery but up to now. I don't know about anyone fighting for freedom. Emancipation, I reiterate was an act of the British Parliament.Remember that the Maroons who were free assisted with the capture of run-away slaves.
I nowhere said that slavery was not repugnant, I merely stated that we shouldn't be constantly reminded of that. And I dont think beheadings was something the slaves had to worry about, and since neither you nor I was there and hence suffered none of these real or imagined indignities, we should try to move on and not get preoccupied with what we cannot change.
Many of the things that we get from history are not viewed contextually and we react them from a now perspective, and that sometimes cloud the reality. Why would anyone starve people who were valuable assets? Makes no sense to me.
The Maroons were not slaughtered as informers, but now we are mortally afraid to do the right thing and assist the police in combating crime. We are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
You seem to think we are in a paradise- TB is so maybe that is why you have been lulled to sleep.
DO you know that Colonialism is responsible for our being here?

Go to the other islands that are still being colonize,and asked them how they feel about it?Jamaican politicians of the late sixties through today have betrayed the people,the same way black men of powers in all african nations have betrayed their people.