Why We Celebrate Caribbean Heritage in August

Why We Celebrate Caribbean Heritage in August

Ambassador Curtis A. Ward

(24 July 2025) — Of the 12 months in the year, the month of August has the most historic relevance to people of Caribbean heritage everywhere in the world. No other month holds comparable relevance and historic meaning for Caribbean people and Caribbean nationhood. Our history teaches us about who we are as Caribbean people.

Here are some very important historical relationships that we as Caribbean people share among us that are common to the month of August, making the month very special for our celebrations.

For over 300 years of Caribbean history, from the early 16th century to the near mid-19th century, Africans were enslaved in the British colonies in the region. The British parliament enacted the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, setting the end to slavery in the Caribbean on August 1, 1834.

Emancipation of the enslaved people of the Caribbean marked an important milestone in our history. The ending of slavery was followed by a period of apprenticeship which was abolished on August 1, 1838.

Thus, we celebrate August 1st across the Caribbean as Emancipation Day.

But, long before Emancipation, there was, in Guyana, the Demerara Uprising of August 1823. An impetus for abolitionists, the Demerara Uprising helped hasten the emancipation of enslaved people in the British colonies. The Demerara Uprising is celebrated in Guyana during the month of August.

Another 124 years following Emancipation, British colonial occupation of the Caribbean started to crumble. The two most populous and largest British island colonies, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, gained their independence in August 1962. The first to achieve independence was Jamaica on August 6, 1962, followed closely by Trinidad & Tobago on August 31, 1962.

It was the dawn of a new era in the history of the Caribbean. Nationhood and freedom for English-speaking Caribbean people were given wings during the month of August. It also meant that most of the English-speaking peoples of the Caribbean were freed from colonialism and could now chart their own course in global affairs. Yet another reason for elevating the month of August to celebrate Caribbean history and heritage.

And then, one of the most significant Caribbean contribution to the history of the Black race was the gift of history’s most acclaimed civil and political activist, and the greatest Pan-Africanist of all times, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who was born in St. Ann, Jamaica on August 17, 1887, some 53 years after Emancipation. Garvey, celebrated as Jamaica’s first National Hero, was born of freed former enslaved Africans. His legacy is celebrated not only in Jamaica but throughout the African diaspora.

A very significant milestone in Caribbean history is the Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) which was signed at Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago by four Caribbean leaders, on July 4, 1973. The four leaders who made this history-making decision were Errol Barrow (Barbados), Forbes Burnham (Guyana), Michael Manley (Jamaica), and Eric Williams (Trinidad and Tobago). The Treaty of Chaguaramas went into effect on August 1, 1973.

Yes, we celebrate August for many reasons, but most of all because our history and heritage are wrapped up in it.

As The Rt. Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey aptly reminded us, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

Click this Link to watch the video Real Talk with Ambassador Curtis Ward.

Special Note:

[Caribbean Heritage Month designation in the State of Maryland (Maryland law (General Provisions Article, Sec. 7-504)) was the brainchild of then State Senator Shirley Nathan-Pulliam. She was joined by Del. Regina Boyce who piloted the Bill through the House of Assembly. Sen.  Nathan-Pulliam held consultations with certain community leaders who supported her during the process.]

July 24, 2025