Halie Wetherington
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Florida's Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on May 20, since that is the day in 1865 that emancipation occurred for those enslaved in the state. The Emancipation was proclaimed on the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee, and was read by Union General Edward M. McCook. This came 11 days after the end of the Civil War and two years after the Proclamation was first issued by Abraham Lincoln. Along with Florida, Texas and Virginia also celebrate their emancipation on their respective dates. Virginia's is on April 3 and Texas celebrates on June 19, with Florida in the middle of the two.
Historically, places across North Florida have celebrated Emancipation Day through parades and gatherings as a community. Still today, these celebrations continue with Leon County and other areas being home to reenactments of events in the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation itself. Madisn will be holding a Jubilee in honor of the celebration which includes a parade beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20.
See the Community Calendar on page 2A for local events on May 20th in Jefferson County.
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