The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, however, slaves in Western Kentucky were not freed until nearly eight months later on a day now recognized as the Eighth of August, a regional emancipation holiday.
In Hopkinsville, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission is partnering with the Pennyroyal Area Museum to celebrate the holiday and spotlight its significance.
Commission Executive Director, Raychel Farmer says this will be their fourth year celebrating the holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in former secessionist states in 1865, however on August 8 of 1863 slaves in western Kentucky and Tennessee learned that they have been freed.
Farmer says this year’s celebration will include food, music, historical presentations and community tours spotlighting Black history.
The Commission is partnering with Visit Hopkinsville, for the local African-American History Cellphone Tour. Farmer says Attucks High School and some historically Black churches are stops on the tour and attendees will be able to ride on the Batter Bus to each destination.
Farmer says she is excited to celebrate the holiday and looks forward to the community attending. Hopkinsville’s Eighth of August Emancipation Day Celebration is set for August 4 at the Pennyroyal Area Museum from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.