Emancipation Day is observed today in many Caribbean countries. This holiday marks the end of slavery in the British Empire.
The British like other colonial powers had allowed the widespread practice of slavery to take place during the time of expansion to the new world. In 1772, the ruling in the case of Somerset v Stewart determined that slavery was unsupported by the common law in England and Wales. While the ruling was not clear on the situation in other parts of the Empire, this case was seen as a key turning point in the change towards emancipation.
Slavery was finally abolished throughout the British Empire by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which came into effect on August 1st 1834. The territories controlled at that time by the East India Company, Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) and St. Helen’s were excluded. Slavery was not abolished in these regions until 1843.
While the emancipation officially occurred on August 1, many countries celebrate it on the first Monday of August (today!).
There were some groups of people already living in freedom before Emancipation. Most of them were former soldiers. The Merikins were one of them. They were ex-slaves of the American south who were part of the British army in 1812. For helping fight against the former colonies, they were rewarded with their freedom and land in the Princes Town and Moruga area on Trinidad. Africa-born soldiers who also served in the West India Regiment also had their freedom and land as rewards.
Shockingly, no national holidays seem to fall on February 29, so we’ll look ahead to March 1 when Korea will celebrate Independence Movement Day.
The Korean Independence movement was an ongoing campaign to liberate Korea from Japan since 1910. The campaign reached a high point on March 1st, 1919. On this day, a series of public demonstrations happened when Japan was still occupying Korea. These were public demonstrations against the Japanese Government. It was a nationalistic show of strength and resistance against Japanese military rule in Korea.
The March 1st Movement Day, known in Korea as 삼일절 (Samiljeol).
The name 삼일절 (samiljeol) can be broken into three parts:
삼 (sam) = 3
일 (il) = day / 1
절 (jeol) = festival day (word suffix)
The direct translation is “3-1 Festival Day.” This celebration reminds Koreans what happened during the public resistance on March 1st.
On March 1st, 1919, 33 Korean Movement core activists read the Korean Declaration of Independence. Their goal was to put an end to the Japanese occupation in Korea.
Following that, over 2 million Koreans participated in over 1500 demonstrations nationwide, which the Japanese military police attempted to control. This became the biggest national protest against foreign dominance in Korean history. In the end, there were approximately 7,000 people killed, 16,000 wounded, and 46,000 were arrested by the Japanese police force and soldiers. On top of these, many houses, churches, and buildings were burned.
SIGNZZZZZZZZZ
There are no national holidays on February 29, but fortunately there are musician birthdays. Today is the birthday, in 1792, of Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards for both comic and serious opera before retiring from large-scale composition while still in his thirties, at the height of his popularity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3T8-aeOrbg
Today is Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czechia and Slovakia. This public holiday is always celebrated on November 17th in both countries.
The Twentieth century was a tumultuous time for both these countries. Indeed, until 1993 they were both part of the same country – Czechoslovakia.
During that time, they had to endure occupation by the Nazis during World War II and following that, the country was under communist rule until 1989. During both regimes, it was students who lead nationwide protests and this day essentially celebrates the political role of students. November 17th is sometimes referred to as World Students Day.
The date of November 17th commemorates the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague following demonstrations against the occupation of Czechoslovakia. It led to the execution of nine student leaders and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps.
How long until Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day?
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day is tomorrow
Dates of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czech Republic
2025Mon, Nov 17National Holiday2024Sun, Nov 17National Holiday2023Fri, Nov 17National Holiday2022Thu, Nov 17National Holiday2021Wed, Nov 17National Holiday
Summary
Commemorating the student demonstration against Nazi occupation in 1939, and especially the demonstration in 1989 in Prague considered to mark the beginning of the Velvet Revolution
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in other countries
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, this national holiday may also be known as the ‘National Day of Freedom.
When is Day of Freedom and Democracy?
This public holiday is always celebrated on November 17th in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In the Czech Republic, the full title of this holiday is Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day. The name of the holiday was the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day until 2019.
History of Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day
The Twentieth century was a tumultuous time for both these countries. Indeed, until 1993 they were both part of the same country – Czechoslovakia.
During that time, they had to endure occupation by the Nazis during World War II and following that, the country was under communist rule until 1989.
During both regimes, it was students who lead nationwide protests and this day essentially celebrates the political role of students. November 17th is sometimes referred to as World Students Day.
The date of November 17th commemorates the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague following demonstrations against the occupation of Czechoslovakia. It led to the execution of nine student leaders and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps.
In 1989 there was a memorial march to mark the 50th anniversary of the student revolt. The authorities tried to suppress the march which only led to an avalanche of popular protests in Czech and Slovak cities. Over the following days, the protests grew into non-violent strikes at first involving students and later all citizens of Czechoslovakia.
This became known as the Velvet Revolution and marked the beginning of the end of the communist regime that had ruled the country for more than four decades. Vaclav Havel was elected president and Alexander Dubcek became federal Czechoslovak Speaker.
Fun with stickers!!!!!
Earlier this week was the birthday, in 1792, of Gioachino Rossini, one of my favorite opera composers. Here is short duet he composed. I’m always impressed by how well opera singers manage to learn and remember all the words in foreign languages. Here is Duetto buffo di due gatti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5bJJviAX0c
Today is Independence Day in Saint Lucia. It marks the date in 1979 when Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations. Unlike most countries, Independence Day is not the National Day of Saint Lucia; that takes place on 13th December, the Feast Day of Saint Lucia, who became the patron saint of the island.
Time to stop smoking.
Architecture/Design
Two days ago (my bad) was the anniversary of the premier performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville in 1816.
There is a lot of classical music which seems, for long periods, to involve only a part of the orchestra while the others sit around looking bored. Here a some short,fun pieces that seem to me to involve everyone! Enjoy!!
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