Emancipation Day in Bermuda commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. The day honors the resilience, freedom and cultural heritage of Bermudians of African descent. It also marks the beginning of the island's beloved Cup Match holiday, a two-day celebration featuring the historic cricket rivalry between Somerset and St. George's clubs.

When is Emancipation Day?

Emancipation Day in Bermuda is celebrated on the Thursday before the first Monday in August each year.

The following is the list of Emancipation Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Emancipation Day?

Emancipation Day in Bermuda commemorates one of the most significant moments in the island's history, the abolition of slavery on August 1, 1834. It marks the day when enslaved Africans and their descendants across the British Empire were finally granted freedom after centuries of bondage.

Slavery in Bermuda began in the early 1600s, shortly after the island was settled by the English. Enslaved Africans, along with Indigenous people brought from the Americas, were forced into labor on farms, in households, shipyards, and salt industries. Despite the island's small size, slavery was deeply embedded in its economic and social structure.

Growing global and local resistance to slavery led to change. In 1833, the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, which came into effect across the empire on August 1, 1834. On that day, roughly 4,000 enslaved Bermudians were emancipated. Although freedom initially came with restrictions, such as a four-year "apprenticeship" system, it marked the beginning of a new era of self-determination, community building, and cultural identity for Black Bermudians.

For generations, Bermudians honored Emancipation Day through church services and community gatherings. In the early 20th century, the observance became intertwined with one of Bermuda's most famous traditions: Cup Match, a two-day cricket tournament that began informally in the late 1800s. Black Bermudians organized the match as a way to celebrate their freedom, with the teams representing the two ends of the island — Somerset (West End) and St. George's (East End).

As the event grew in popularity, it brought together people of all races and backgrounds, transforming into a major national celebration. In 1947, the Bermuda government officially recognized Emancipation Day as a public holiday.

Today, Emancipation Day continues to serve both as a commemoration and a celebration. It honors the strength and resilience of ancestors who endured enslavement while celebrating Bermuda's unity, culture, and progress. Emancipation Day stands as a powerful reminder of Bermuda's journey from oppression to freedom, and of the enduring legacy of those who fought for justice, dignity, and equality.