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VI Emancipation Day
July 3rd is an important day here on our Big Island, St. Croix. It is VI Emancipation Day and it is an observed holiday. On the morning of July 3, 1848, the legendary General Buddhoe also known as, John Gottlieb, filled the air by blowing on a conch shell. The sound signaled the enslaved to gather to plan how to obtain their freedom. The slaves stormed Fort Fredrik and demanded their freedom by 12noon that afternoon from the reigning Governor von Scholten. If not granted, they threatened to retaliate by burning the town down. By 3pm, Governor von Scholten declared that all slaves were free!
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