Interesting story, but I'm wondering about the West Indian Independence Day celebration. Where in the West Indies was independent in 1862? Just Haiti I think. But their Independence Day is in January.
The West Indies was a pretty all-encompassing name for a large number of island states, ruled by several European countries, but for Brooklynites during this time, I'm pretty sure it only covered the British, English-speaking West Indies. As we know, most of the islands were not truly independent from their colonizers until the mid-20th century. My comment was a direct quote from the newspaper report of the day, and I have the feeling they were probably celebrating the anniversary of a law that was passed in Britain for the colonies in 1862 called the "Free Labour Act" which changed the way the former colonial enslaved people were paid, or were regarded as workers. I fully admit, I don't know much about that, and it's something I may look into, just for my own personal education. The more important fact was that the holiday meant not that many black workers were in that day.
Interesting story, but I'm wondering about the West Indian Independence Day celebration. Where in the West Indies was independent in 1862? Just Haiti I think. But their Independence Day is in January.
The West Indies was a pretty all-encompassing name for a large number of island states, ruled by several European countries, but for Brooklynites during this time, I'm pretty sure it only covered the British, English-speaking West Indies. As we know, most of the islands were not truly independent from their colonizers until the mid-20th century. My comment was a direct quote from the newspaper report of the day, and I have the feeling they were probably celebrating the anniversary of a law that was passed in Britain for the colonies in 1862 called the "Free Labour Act" which changed the way the former colonial enslaved people were paid, or were regarded as workers. I fully admit, I don't know much about that, and it's something I may look into, just for my own personal education. The more important fact was that the holiday meant not that many black workers were in that day.
Interesting that they would phrase it that way. I'm curious if you learn more!