On March 24, 2021, Canada's House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day, the anniversary of when Britain’s Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire in 1834.  On this day, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination. Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.

Join us for a lively and informative discussion on the history of the commemoration of Emancipation Day in Canada. Learn about the numerous ways that Black people, in what is now known as Canada, seized, defined, and practiced freedom over time.

Natasha Henry-Dixon is an assistant professor of African Canadian History at York University and the 2018 Vanier Scholar is researching the enslavement of African people in early Ontario. Natasha is the current president of the Ontario Black History Society. Her publications include Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada and Talking about Freedom: Celebrating Freedom in Canada.

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The History of Emancipation Day in Canada