The anniversary of the beginning of the end of slavery will be marked in the House of Assembly today.

On July 22, 1833, politicians in the House of Commons in London passed the Emancipation Bill, which paved the way for slaves in Bermuda and other British territories to be emancipated just over a year later, on August 1, 1834.

That milestone resulted from decades of efforts of thousands, including the Mary Prince, an enslaved Bermudian who was sent to Britain as a servant. Her autobiography, The History of Mary Prince, was published in 1831 which had a galvanising impact on the anti-slavery movement in Britain and its territories.

Community activist Glenn Fubler of Imagine Bermuda, said: “ As we approach Bermuda’s midsummer festive period — Cup Match — with family recreation in mind, we are also called to reflect on its meaning.

“In this regard stakeholders across the community are collaborating to encourage each other, to enjoy ourselves, while we also collectively draw lessons from this challenging shared legacy.

“Given the significance of this watershed, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dennis Lister, has engaged in this community collaboration and consequently the 190th anniversary will be brought to the attention of Members of Parliament at the House sitting on Friday July 21, 2023 marking the eve of the anniversary of that House of Commons vote.”

Mr Fubler added that a gathering will be held on the steps of City Hall on August 1 to mark the 189th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.