Did you know that Trinidad and Tobago was the first country in the world to have a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery? On 1st August 1838, full freedom was granted to slaves, and every year on this day we celebrate the emancipation of our ancestors from the British empire. While the Act in Parliament came into effect on 1st August 1834, a period of apprenticeship was put in place for a minimum of four years to bridge the gap between slavery and complete freedom. August 1st, 1985 marks the first year that emancipation day became a national holiday in T&T.

Today emancipation day is celebrated in numerous Caribbean islands and here in Trinidad we have parades, vigils, fetes and of course a national holiday.

The Emancipation village is set up in the Queen’s Park Savannah where you will see pictures and live shows showing the history of slavery and what our ancestors endured before becoming free people.

There will be song, dance, visual images and speeches which are always educational and entertaining.

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