Poets for Freedom: A Leon County Emancipation Day poetry contest
and last updated 2021-04-30 14:40:03-04
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) â Leon County Government invites citizens to recognize Florida s upcoming Emancipation Day on May 20 by participating in Poets for Freedom, a unique project featuring original poems on the topic of freedom.
The program is organized by the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System and will showcase submissions throughout the month of May. Poets must be aged 18 and older, The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 7.
Florida Emancipation Day marks the first announcement of Abraham Lincolnâs Emancipation Proclamation in Leon County on May 20, 1865.
Monday, February 1, 2021 by Danielle Prieur (WMFE)
Photo: Jon Sailer
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LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) A Florida city is planning to formally recognize May 20 as the date slaves were emancipated in the state. The Ledger in Lakeland reports the city commission plans to approve a resolution Monday declaring May 20 as Florida Emancipation Day. That would mark the anniversary of when slavery became illegal in the state. In Florida, the date was May 20, 1865, when Union Brigadier Gen. Edward McCook formally announced President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation from the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee. Officials say there are efforts in Florida to have cities and counties recognize May 20 as emancipation day.
Florida city to recognize May 20 as slave emancipation day February 1, 2021 at 6:35 AM EST - Updated February 1 at 6:35 AM
A Florida city is planning to formally recognize May 20 as the date slaves were emancipated in the state.
The Ledger in Lakeland reports the city commission plans to approve a resolution Monday declaring May 20 as Florida Emancipation Day. That would mark the anniversary of when slavery became illegal in the state.
In Florida, the date was May 20, 1865, when Union Brigadier Gen. Edward McCook formally announced President Abraham Lincolnâs Emancipation Proclamation from the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee.
Officials say there are efforts in Florida to have cities and counties recognize May 20 as emancipation day.