Emancipation Day - Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage
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Emancipation Day
Following approval from Cabinet, Emancipation Day was reinstated after 62 years and is now being celebrated on the first Monday in May as a public holiday. Other Caribbean nations celebrate Emancipation Day in August. The Cayman Islands celebrates in May as there was no mandatory apprenticeship for freemen. This is due to slave owners not registering with the British government.
Emancipation Day Logo explained below:
Emancipation Day Video & Images Recap
2025 Emancipation Day Kids Poetry Competition Winners
Second Place
Third Place
People's Choice
Winning Poets for the Judges' pick of
1st, 2nd, & 3rd place
Winning Poet for the People's Choice
2025 Emancipation Day Kids Poster Competition Winners
1st place: Yeudi Granados
2nd Place: Johnny Rea II
3rd Place: Delora Johnson
People's Choice: Nyla Christian
2025 Emancipation Day Art Competition Winners
1st Place: Amber Ebanks
2nd Place: Raphael Powery
3rd Place: Shanique Frater
People's Choice: Erin Bush
2025 Emancipation Day Jingle Competition Winners
1st Place: Kassandra Scott Salazar
2nd Place: Tajay Bell
2024 Emancipation Day Poetry Winners
Emancipation Day FAQs:
It is important to recognise the emancipation of formerly enslaved persons because in order to understand the past, history must be preserved.
Emancipation Day is celebrated in May because enslaved persons were made immediately free after the proclamation was read as slave owners did not register with the British government.
Emancipation Day was reinstated as a public holiday to recognise and celebrate the liberation from slavery.
Emancipation Day was celebrated through a public holiday and celebration on Seafarer’s Way to commemorate freedom from slavery. In addition, church services, a turtle release, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at a slave wall as well as a drone show were held to celebrate Emancipation Day. Emancipation Day was also celebrated through the addition of New National Symbols.
