CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Joe Pitts has proclaimed Saturday, Aug. 8 as Emancipation Day and urges all citizens to join in and take part in the activities that community groups and churches have planned for the community of Clarksville-Montgomery County.
Here is the full proclamation:
City of Clarksville
PROCLAMATION
Emancipation Day
WHEREAS, Emancipation Day is a day for family, friends, neighbors and the community to come together in unity to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent in the United States of America who were the ancestors to many in our community; and
WHEREAS, there are a number of theories as to the origins of this date for celebration, the most plausible being this is when then future President Andrew Johnson freed his family slaves; and
WHEREAS, the celebration traces its place of origin to Greeneville, Tennessee, the home of Andrew Johnson, and to large events in Paducah, Kentucky, and other communities around the area; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 Governor Phil Bredesen signed legislation acknowledging August 8th as Emancipation Day in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, every year Clarksville community groups and churches hold Emancipation Day events so that the history and the memory of that time is not lost; and
WHEREAS, no matter where it is celebrated or upon which date, it is an opportunity to come together and commemorate the end of slavery for an entire people.
Now, Therefore, I, Joe Pitts, Mayor of the City of Clarksville, do hereby proclaim August 8th, 2020, as Emancipation Day and invite all citizens to join in and take part in the activities that community groups and churches have planned for the community of Clarksville-Montgomery County.