On August 8, 1863, over seven months after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law, Tennessee's Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville celebrated Emancipation Day this weekend in downtown Clarksville this weekend with a parade, a block party and other events.
On August 8, 1863, over seven months after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law, Tennessee’s Governor Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves. Since then, Black people in Tennessee have celebrated this small step towards equality. It was signed into law to become a state-recognized holiday in 2007.
Wanda Smith, councilwoman for Ward 6, organized this event and told Clarksville Now that there’s still progress to be made, but she’s excited for the future.
“We are celebrating change and progress that African Americans have made,” Smith said. “We’re not trying to look back at the bad, but we’re trying to look forward toward the good.”
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Day Celebration 2021 (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
Emancipation Celebration 2021 on Eight and College St. (Angela Peterson)
This was the first set of events to set off a weekend-long celebration. On Saturday, there was a talent show on 207 Oak Street, and on Sunday, there will be a religious event at Greater Missionary Baptist Church.
Smith also told Clarksville Now that she hopes these events will be a learning lesson for younger generations.
“I hope this experience will teach our young people to learn about the history,” Smith said. “African Americans have been through a lot of hardships, so I hope we use (this event) as a tool to carry the torch.”
