Each year, the territory’s August Emancipation Festival commemorates Aug. 1, 1834 — the day the British Parliament’s Slavery Abolition Act, 1833, came into force. But the actual history of emancipation …
August 14, 2025
August 1, 2025
EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands has much to consider in marking emancipation
The 71st August Emancipation Festival is well under way, and we are excited to take part in the ongoing celebrations. But amid the revelry, we hope everyone will remember the …
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July 11, 2025
Long Look marks 249 years of freedom
On Monday afternoon, residents young and old chuckled and chatted as they painted small canvases under the shade of The Stickett in Long Look. Following an instructor’s tips, most focused …
August 1, 2024
EDITORIAL: 70th Festival is a time to celebrate and reflect
During this August Emancipation Festival, there is much to celebrate. Most importantly, of course, today marks 190 years since emancipation. This year also commemorates 70 years of Festival, an annual …
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July 22, 2024
Old records shed new light on VI history
Soon after Dr. Angel Smith was appointed to oversee the government’s archives last year, he was assessing old records when he found a series of documents that shed new light …
July 29, 2022
EDITORIAL: Celebrating and remembering
As the first fully in-person August Emancipation Festival in three years gets under way, we encourage everyone to celebrate while also remembering the reason for the annual observance. On Aug. …
July 2, 2020
EDITORIAL: Black Lives Matter fight hits home in Virgin Islands
In the weeks since the world watched a white police officer kneel on George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the response to Mr. Floyd’s death has rightly …
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August 10, 2019
EDITORIAL: In Facebook age, emancipation is increasingly on VI’s radar
For decades, we have encouraged residents during this season to remember the real reason for the August Emancipation Festival. As we do the same this year, we are pleased to …
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