Virgin Islands Cultural Notebooks

Virgin Islands Cultural Notebook: Denmark Vesey

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Denmark Vesey worked as a carpenter and was formerly an enslaved person. Vesey was born in the Danish West Indies, which are now known as the Virgin Islands of the United States. Vesey allegedly plotted an enslaved uprising in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1822 to coincide with Bastille Day. Vesey patterned his movement after Haiti's successful 1791 slave revolt.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration

Author: Stephanie Chalana Brown

Virgin Islands Cultural Notebook: Virgin Islands Puerto Rican Friendship Day

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Friendship Day between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico is a public holiday observed in the United States Virgin Islands on the second Monday of October. The holiday was established in 1964 by Governor Paiewonsky to recognize Puerto Ricans who live in the Virgin Islands or have made significant contributions to the territory. The date was chosen to coincide with Columbus Day, as it was seen as "an ideal day for recognizing Americans' solidarity with the Caribbean.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration

Author: Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education

Virgin Islands Student Cultural Notebook Edition 4: 1848 Emancipation

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 It was determined in 1847 that future children born to enslaved laborers would be free, and that slavery would be abolished totally in 1859. Instead of agreeing to the deal, the enslaved began mobilizing, and on July 3rd, 1848, an estimated 8,000 enslaved individuals demanded their freedom 1848, an estimated 8,000 enslaved individuals demanded their freedom in Frederiksted in front of Fort Frederik

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration

Author: Stephanie Chalana Brown