Eighth of August History

EIGHTH OF AUGUST 
HISTORY

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Emancipation - Freedom

August 8, 1863, Tennessee Military Governor Andrew Johnson freed enslaved people. The Eighth of August a pivotal point in American History. It is a significant part of the History of Emancipation and Freedom in the State of Tennessee.

Sam
Johnson

HISTORY

August 8

August 8, 1863, Andrew Johnson, Tennessee Military Governor, who would later become the 17th president of the United States, freed enslaved people, some of which were his illegitimate children. This date became known as Emancipation Day. The first recorded celebration of the Eighth of August as Emancipation Day was in Greeneville, Tennessee in 1871. The best explanation of the origins of the celebration can be found in an August 8, 1921 article in the Knoxville Journal and Tribune. Eventually the Eighth of August was celebrated in at least seven states and 55 communities. It is still celebrated in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri. 
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Bill Designating 
August 8 
State Holiday

A bill proposed by State Representative Rick Staples (15th District) to designate Emancipation Day as a legal state holiday passed the Tennessee House, unanimously, Monday, March 2, 2020. 
House Bill 1544 Designates August 8 "Emancipation Day," a State Holiday.
In 2007, Governor Phil Bredesen signed House Bill No. 207 acknowledging August 8 as “Emancipation Day,” an annual day of special observance to recognize the freeing of Andrew Johnson’s personal slaves and 
“the significance of emancipation in the history of Tennessee.”

History of August 8 and
Chilhowee Park

In 1937, the Knoxville Flashlight-Herald, an African American weekly, sponsored the “Bronze Mayor Contest” in an effort to provide the local African American community “elected” leadership. The poll favored Dr. James H. Presnell and he became the “Bronze Mayor” and the “official” spokesman for Knoxville’s African American population. July 22, 1939, Mayor Presnell signed a proclamation urging all employers in the City to release as many colored citizens as is practicable, in order that they may participate in the activities and the celebration on Tuesday, August 8, 1939 in Chilhowee Park.  
 
During this period of legal segregation in Knoxville, Chilhowee Park was only open to African Americans one day a year, August 8, and this continued until 1948.  

The Beck Cultural Exchange Center hosted its First Annual Eighth of August Jubilee, August 8, 2015 in Chilhowee Park. Since that time, Beck has continued to host annual events on August 8 and on the second Saturday in August to commemorate Emancipation in the State of Tennessee.  

History of the Eighth of August 
Heritage Award

HERITAGE AWARD HONOREES
Honoring Those Who Have Made Significant Contributions
The Heritage Award honors those who are making, and/or have made, significant contributions to preserving and upholding the rich legacy of African American history, culture, and education for present and future generations. Awardees are honored each year during the Annual Eighth of August Jubilee Red-Carpet Event on August 8.
Eighth of August Jubilee

Heritage Award

THE HERITAGE AWARD

Honoring Those Who Have Made Significant Contributions

The Heritage Award was presented at the first Annual Eighth of August Jubilee Festival on August 8, 2015 to Ned Arter. Ned is the great-great grandson of Samuel Johnson, an enslaved person, freed on August 8, 1863. Sam Johnson is recorded in history as establishing the Eighth of August Celebrations known as the Day of Emancipation.

During the first Eighth of August Jubilee in 2015, Beck Cultural Exchange Center celebrated its 40-year anniversary. In addition to the Annual Heritage Award presented, a Special Award was presented to Margaret Gaiter in celebration of that significant milestone. Margaret was a founding member and the first President of the Board of Directors. She received the award for her exemplary service and dedication to conserving and preserving the rich African American History in East Tennessee and for her unwavering devotion to servant leadership.
HERITAGE AWARD HONOREES

Heritage Award Honorees

KNOXVILLE BRANCH NAACP - 2019

The Knoxville Branch of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People received the Annual Heritage Award in 2019. The award was presented in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the organization, its members, its group of founding members including James G. Beck, namesake of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and all those who endeavor to advance justice for African Americans.  

JOAN TRUMPAUER MULHOLLAND - 2018

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland received the Annual Heritage Award in 2018. Joan is a Civil Rights Icon and Freedom Rider, and the recipient of the 2015 National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award. The award was presented for her unselfish devotion to freedom and her relentless pursuit of civil rights for African Americans. 

CHRIS BLUE - 2017

Chris Blue received the Annual Heritage Award in 2017. Chris was The Voice 2017 Winner. The award was presented for his tireless commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence in the arts and culture and as a staunch member and representative of our beloved community. 

DR. MARY WHALEY (Posthumously) - 2016

Dr. Mary Whaley received the Annual Heritage Award in 2016 posthumously. Mary passed away January 29, 2016. The award was presented for her work to ensure the preservation of the historic Fourth United Presbyterian Church, (formerly First United Presbyterian Church Freedmen's Mission Historic Cemetery) adjacent to historic Knoxville College. Many of our ancestors are interred in this historic cemetery including James and Ethel Beck, the center’s namesake, and those enslaved persons emancipated on August 8, 1863. 

NED ARTER - 2015

Ned Arter received the first Annual Heritage Award in 2015. Ned is the great-great grandson of Sam Johnson, an enslaved person freed on August 8, 1863. Sam Johnson is recorded in history as establishing the Eighth of August Celebrations known as the Day of Emancipation. Ned also inherited the autographed Silver-Tipped Cane.

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MORE EIGHTH OF AUGUST HISTORY

Sam Johnson was emancipated August 8, 1863. After emancipation, Sam was successful in having August 8 set aside for Emancipation Day observances and celebrations. In 1888, it was noted in a Knoxville paper that about 200 people travelled to Greeneville from Knoxville for their celebration. Later, in 1897, 500 people travelled from Knoxville to Johnson City on a “special train of ten coaches” for the celebration there. The first newspaper mention of a Knoxville celebration was in 1899. One year later, in 1900, it was reported that 3500 people from Birmingham, Asheville, Bristol and other cities came to Knoxville for the August 8 celebration. In 1902, a steamboat carrying 500 people travelled from Nashville to Clarksville for August 8, and there was a newspaper estimate of between 3,000 to 5,000 people visiting from out-of-town. In 1908 “several thousand visitors” were expected for a Nashville celebration where the theme was, “Emancipation and What It Means To the Negro.” In 1935, the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote about large celebrations there. “More than 10,000 Negroes attended special services in 70 Memphis churches yesterday in observance of Emancipation Sunday, 25 of whom were former slaves.” A special event at Booker T. Washington High School saw a crowd of 1,000 people. In 1937, back in Knoxville, Louis Armstrong’s orchestra played at a dance at Chilhowee Park. Since that time, celebrations continue to take place throughout Tennessee and other states. We continue to celebrate August 8, the day of freedom.

Our Freed Ancestors

Sam Johnson was emancipated August 8, 1863 along with his sister Dolly, and her three children, Liz, Florence and William. After Sam, his sister Dolly, and her children, were emancipated, Sam was successful in having August 8 set aside for Emancipation Day observances and celebrations. Since that time, celebrations continue to take place throughout Tennessee and other states.

Dolly’s three children are laid to rest in the Freedmen’s Mission Historic Cemetery. Each year during the Annual Eighth of August Jubilee, Beck hosts The Libation the morning of August 8 on the grounds of the historic cemetery. The Libation is a spiritual ceremony that pays tribute to formerly enslaved people emancipated August 8, 1863, and interred at Freedmen’s Historic Cemetery adjacent to Knoxville College.

The Silver-Tipped Cane
Young William, along with his mother Dolly and his uncle Sam, was emancipated August 8, 1863. One of the crowning moments of William’s life was a trip to Washington, D.C. where he met President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who gave him a silver-tipped cane with both their names inscribed. Ned Arter of Louisville, Kentucky, great-great grandson of Sam Johnson, inherited the cane. Each year during the celebration, he presents the cane for public viewing. 
Eighth of August East Tennessee PBS Documentary
Watch Eighth of August Documentary
East Tennessee PBS produced a documentary that premiered during the first Eighth of August Jubilee Red-Carpet Event, August 8, 2016. The documentary included “8th of August: Tennessee’s Celebration of Emancipation” and “East Tennessee Voices: Knoxville’s 8th of August.” The "East Tennessee Voices: Knoxville’s 8th of August," was filmed at Beck, and included Reneé Kesler as the moderator along with eight extraordinary pioneers who remember the Eighth of August: Ether Jackson, Robert Booker, Eugene Thomas, Avon Rollins, Luther Bradley, Theotis Robinson, Lawrence Washington, and Dessa Blair.

More About The Eighth of August

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