Black Air Foundation members attend Emancipation Day 2010 at Roger Williams Park

Rhode Islanders celebrated Emancipation Day, marking the end of slavery in much of the British Empire, at Roger Williams Park in Providence, on August 1, 2010. (photo: nobidadetv.com)

The following is from ProvidenceAmerican.com, August 19, 2010.

Another Day in the Park

Emancipation Day Celebration

"Together We Make A Difference" was the motto of this year's Emancipation Day Celebration at Roger Williams Park in Providence [Rhode Island].

Here in Providence, the emancipation of British West India that took place on the first day of August in 1834 is the basis for the annual celebration. Sponsors of this year's celebration join the community in the acknowledgement of the significance of the day.

Historically Emancipation Day has been celebrated as far back as the 1840s. This day has been of very special notation to all people in bondage, because it was the first worldwide admission by Britain, world major power, that the rights of all humans cannot be ignored or denied. It was a day celebrated by those who championed the cause of freedom, and motivation to continue the struggle.

While local organizers were not aware of the first celebration in Providence, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society's research has records of celebration as far back as 1849.

This year's sponsors included the Emancipation Day Committee, Music One, JWU/Inter-Cultural Center, RI Historical and Heritage Commission, Sackett Street Recreation and WBRU 360, with special thanks to co-chairs of Emancipation Day Committee James (Buster) Clements and Terrell A. Osborne.

Each year the celebration highlights entertainment, food vendors, raffles and closing remarks by a member of the clergy. This years entertainment featured DJ Spin, Hot Spot Youth Ministry, Chops Turner, just to name a few.

The Negro (Black) National Anthem was sung by Sharon Mazyck to kick off the day. Food vendors sold fried fish, soul food from Food for the Soul restaurant, Dells Lemonade, and much more.

The Rhode Island National Guard had a presence in the form of a portable climbing wall for those mountain climbers in attendance.

Each year Emancipation Day is celebrated in African American communities around the United States and draws thousands to mark the notion of freedom especially for slaves in America at the time.

See you next year for Another Day In the Park at Emancipation Celebration Day 2011.

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834. British West Indian and other countries widely observe Emancipation Day during the first week of August, as noted below:

August 1: Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobogo

First Monday in August: Anguilla, Bahama, British Virgin Islands

August 7: Turks and Caicos Island

SOURCE: EmancipationDayRI.com