Emancipation Day

Tonga's 176 scattered islands are home to nearly 100,000 people, however only 52 are permanently inhabited. The Dutch discovered these group of islands and its people in 1616, but it wasn't until 1900 that they were formally united as a British colony.

The other reason for the 4 June holiday, and the origin of the name "Emancipation" Day, happened before the American Revolution. The island of Vavau in present-day Tonga abolished "serfdom" on June 4, 1862. This is similar to the abolition of slavery in other parts of the world, and while it only happened on one island, it was a crucial one in the archipelago.

Emancipation Day also marks the end of the three-day Haapai Festival, which takes place between Tongatapu and Vavau on the Haapai Island Group. Haapai is a very pleasant, colorful, and exciting celebration, and Emancipation Day is a suitable conclusion to the entire event. If Emancipation Day falls on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, the public holiday is observed the following Monday; if it happens on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the public holiday is observed the Monday prior.

When: June 4