NASHVILLE, TN — State Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville) has filed legislation to make the date a future U.S. President from Tennessee freed his slaves into a state holiday. Emancipation Day celebrations are traditionally held on August 8th, (many are called Eighth of August Celebrations), and commemorate the day in 1863 when future President Andrew Johnson freed his slaves in Greene County, TN prior to the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation. The resolution states celebrations are documented in Greene County “at least as early as 1875 in The Greeneville American, and over one hundred years ago in The Greeneville Herald and Knoxville Sentinel.” It also notes that Emancipation Day ceremonies have been observed in Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri. Rep. Staples said, “In 2007, the legislature recognized August 8th as a day of special observance. This is the next logical step in honoring the history of Tennesseans of African descent in this state.” The bill (HB1544) is the first legislation filed for consideration when the lawmakers return to their regular, called session in January 2020.
