The Fifth of July

The Fifth of July was a historic Emancipation Day celebration in New York, marking the abolition of slavery in 1827. Due to fears of racist violence, African Americans celebrated on July 5 instead of the designated July 4. The celebrations continued for years, although they diminished after the 1834 anti-abolitionist riots. The tradition merged with August 1 British abolition commemorations but was revived in 2020 as an Abolition Commemoration Day observed on the second Monday in July. Early celebrations included parades, speeches, and gatherings in black churches.