Abolition Commemoration Day in NY–New York State

New York, NY, June 27, 2025 – The Abolition Commemoration Day Committee is presenting its fourth Abolition Commemoration Day in NY program on Monday, July 14, 2024, in three boroughs: Brooklyn, Manhattan and The Bronx.

The programs showcase how abolitionists in New York State fought to end slavery. New York State legislation enacted a law on July 22, 2020, granting the second Monday of July as Abolition Commemoration Day. This is in memory of the Abolition Act that was passed by the state legislature on March 31, 1817. The tri-borough programs seek to inform everyone of this important holiday and piece of history that is not widely known.

Just like Opal Lee is the grandmother of Juneteenth, Bessie Jackson, NYS Director of ASALH is the grandmother of Abolition Commemoration Day. She advocated for sixteen years to make this a legally recognized holiday in the State of New York.

Legendary Roxanne Shante will speak about her life’s work as one of the first female MCs in rap music at the Brooklyn program. She has a radio show on SiriusXM called “Have A Nice Day” from 4pm-7pm EST. When asked about this historical event, Ms. Shante said the following: “There’s a time in our lives where we all want our freedom. Once we reach our freedom let’s never forget who helped us get there.”

Historically, the Abolition Commemoration program has been in Harlem and The Bronx. This is the second year the program will be in Brooklyn, NY at The Abolitionist Place located at Willoughby Street and Albee Square West from 1pm-3pm.

Each program is free for the public to attend. For more information, please sign up via Eventbrite link: https://tinyurl.com/mtvdfe82

Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950) was an American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). He was one of the first scholars to study the history of the African diaspora, including African-American history.

A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, Woodson has been called the “father of black history.” In February 1926, he launched the celebration of “Negro History Week,” the precursor of Black History Month.

Woodson was an important figure to the movement of Afrocentrism, due to his perspective of placing people of African descent at the center of the study of history and the human experience. (From Wikipedia)