Tampa historians highlight Florida Emancipation Day

Juneteenth is becoming increasingly well known as the day slaves were freed in the United States, but that timeline was a little different in Florida. As Union soldiers traveled to spread the word of the Emancipation Proclamation, the day varies by location. Tampa slaves learned of their freedom on May 6, 1864. A year later, the proclamation was read in Tallahassee on May 20. That's the day we know as Florida Emancipation Day.