On Sunday, the Virgin Islands Emancipation Day will be celebrated at Emancipation Garden in Charlotte Amalie between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event will feature a variety of entertainment and will provide information about the historical and cultural connections that link Africa and the Virgin Islands.
This year’s theme is “Freedom Fighters Never Rest” in honor of the men and women who fought to end slavery in the territory over 165 years ago ¬– before it ended in the mainland United States.
In 1848, Moses Gottlieb – known as “General Buddhoe” – of St. Croix led a successful uprising to end slavery in the territory. After the rebellion, the governor freed all slaves in the Danish West Indies even though St. Croix was one of the largest sugar cane producers at the time.
Each year the event is organized by the Emancipation Day Coalition and other St. Thomas community organizations and members. See Related Links below for more information.