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Emancipation Day

Black and white covd of booklet, Progress. Followed by an image of Walter Perry, big smile, dimple in cheek, and cigar in mouth, dark toned skin. Under the image is text: The late Walter Perry, Mr. Emancipation. Emancipation Celebration and Program. Jackson Park. July 31st to August 1, 2, 3, 1969. The oldest international coloured publication in the world – Emancipation – Windsor, Ontario. 

Learn about Emancipation Day by watching a documentary about Walter Perry and the Emancipation Day celebrations he led in Windsor. Image courtesy of Amherstburg Freedom Museum

August 1st is Emancipation Day, celebrating the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1st, 1834.  

About Walter Perry

This was celebrated in the Windsor Ontario area since the beginning.  The celebrations were led for 30 years by Walter Perry, known as Mr. Emancipation, until his death in 1967.  

Watch the documentary, Mr. Emancipation, about his life to learn more.

Resources for Emancipation Day

The Library has resources to explore this history in more detail.

Events

Some Emancipation events around Ontario:

Page Owner: Mark Weiler

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Last Updated: July 13, 2024 12:57pm