August 1st Emancipation Day

August 1st - A celebration of emancipation from slavery

August 1st in Switzerland is celebrated as Swiss National Day to commemorate the founding of this nation in 1291.  In Jamaica, August 1st is Emancipation Day to mark the end of slavery in 1838. Emancipation Day commences a week of celebrations that lead up to Independence Day on August 6th. 

This year Jamaica celebrates 55 years of self-rule, after hundreds of years of colonial rule, first by Spain and later by Britain.  Emancipation Day brings into sharp focus the efforts of slaves and others to bring an end to bondage and exploitation.

  Key figures in this struggle are now recognized as national heroes, Nanny of the Maroons who led a series of incursions against the British army and authorities; Paul Bogle and Sam Sharpe who led large scale rebellions against plantation owners and George William Gordon who campaigned in the local parliament for the freedom of slaves.  Jamaicans are proud of their history of overcoming slavery and Emancipation Day serves as a reminder to safeguard everyone’s freedom. 

These themes of emancipation, independence and national pride are expressed in several artworks at Expérience Jamaïque gallery, have a look.

Expérience Jamaïque gallery: https://experiencejamaique.com/product_gallery
Emancipation Day: http://jis.gov.jm/information/emancipation/
Independence Day:http://jis.gov.jm/information/independence/

Also visit our art gallery:  https://www.experiencejamaique.com/product_gallery

Updated  June 2020

August 2017