Emancipation public holiday observed on 8 June
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 23:30
A public holiday will be observed on Monday, 8 June to commemorate Emancipation Day, the day Tonga’s King Siaosi Tupou I officially abolished serfdom in Tonga in 1862.
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King George Tupou I was a
King George Tupou I was a remarkable figure. If Tonga was not so small, I genuinely believe he would be as famous as Abraham Lincoln, giving what he did - abolisthing serfdom - was pretty much the same thing as Lincoln did freeing slaves.
He also made everyone - including himself - subject to the law. That was a massive change - and one that endures to this day. I quite frequently act for clients who are suing "the Kingdom of Tonga" - David Garrett