'8th of August' Film Premiere & First Friday Celebration

The East Tennessee Historical Society is pleased to partner with East Tennessee PBS and the Beck Cultural Exchange Center to commemorate the 8^th of August as the date traditionally observed as the day on which Andrew Johnson freed his slaves. Although President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect January 1, 1863, it did not apply to Tennessee, since it was no longer in rebellion to the United States government. On August 8, 1863, Andrew Johnson, then military governor of Tennessee, took the personal step to free his slaves, sparking a celebration that spread throughout the region and into other states. It is still observed today in some communities.

August 1-7^th, the exhibition, Photo Recollection: 8^th of August Jubilee will be on view at the East Tennessee History Center during regular operating hours and for First Friday from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on August 5. The exhibit is composed of photographs by Holly Raney and features celebrations in Newport and Greeneville.

As part of First Friday, August 5, from 7:30-9:00 p.m., East Tennessee PBS will premiere the film 8^th of August: Tennessee’s Celebration of Emancipation, a documentary covering the history of this special day, its different forms, and our communities that continue to celebrate the 8^th of August. The film will be followed by a Q&A facilitated by Renee Kessler, director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.

The Brown Bag Lecture, exhibits, and First Friday film showing are all free and open to the public and will take place at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville.