Montgomery County History in the Parks will commemorate Maryland Emancipation Day beginning on October 28th, the date that the Josiah Henson family arrived in Canada in 1830 to begin their lives in freedom. Henson’s autobiography of his enslavement on the Riley plantation (Rockville, Maryland) inspired the 1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. 

Park celebrations continue through November 6th. Hear master storytellers recount traditional African folk tales, help to complete a “Freedom Quilt”, hike the Underground Railroad. 

Emancipation Day is not exclusively American, it is observed in many parts of the world to mark the abolition of serfdom or any other forms of involuntary servitude. In former European colonies in the Caribbean and areas of the United States it is celebrated on various significant dates to commemorate the emancipation of those of African descent who were enslaved. of African descent. 

Maryland started officially recognizing Emancipation Day in 2013, when then-Governor Martin O’Malley signed a measure to celebrate the passing of a new Maryland Constitution which freed slaves in Maryland on Nov. 1, 1865, two months before the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment was passed by Congress in January 1865. Maryland’s legislature abolished slavery on October 11, 1864, six months before the end of the Civil War in April 1865, and a full year before the 13th Amendment was ratified. 

Also check out the Button Farm Emancipation Day Celebration Open House 12-3:00p.m. October 29th .16820 Black Rock Rd, Germantown. Get tickets here (Select October 29th date).