A public holiday will be observed on Monday, 3 June to commemorate Emancipation Day, the day King Siaosi Tupou I officially abolished serfdom in Tonga in 1862, as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

The June 4 public holiday this year falls on Tuesday, so it is moved up to be celebrated on Monday in accordance with the Public Holidays Act.

Emancipation Day, 'Aho Tau'ataina represents a turning point in Tonga's history as commoners were freed from the virtual ownership of chiefs.

King Tupou I declared the abolition of serfdom as part of his 1862 Code of Laws, with his official emancipation edict in the 1862 Code of Laws:

“All chiefs and people are to all intents and purposes set at liberty from serfdom, and all vassalage, from the institution of this law; and it shall not be lawful for any chief or person, to seize, or take by force, or beg authoritatively, in Tonga fashion, anything from anyone.”

King Tupou I is credited with bringing christianity to Tonga as well as establishing Tonga’s first Constitution and Parliament.