The Libation

EIGHTH OF AUGUST
 THE LIBATION

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In Remembrance of The Day of Emancipation in the state of Tennessee, August 8, 1863, the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, announces its Eighth Annual Eighth of August Commemorative events on Sunday August 6 and Tuesday, August 8. All are welcome and invited.

THE LIBATION
Hosted Annually August 8

An African proverb tells us that people who lack the knowledge of their pasts are like a tree without roots. So, in the spirit of remembrance, we pour libation during the Annual Eighth of August Libation Ceremony. The Libation is held at the Freedmen’s Historic Cemetery adjacent to Knoxville College, the graveside of three of the people emancipated on August 8, 1863. These three formerly enslaved persons, Liz, Florence and William, are the children of Dolly and the nieces and nephew of Sam Johnson, founder of the Eighth of August Celebration. Sam, Dolly and her children were all emancipated August 8, 1863. 
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Our Freed Ancestors

The Libation is held at the Freedmen’s Historic Cemetery adjacent to Knoxville College, the graveside of three of the people emancipated on August 8, 1863. These three formerly enslaved persons, Liz, Florence and William, are the children of Dolly and the nieces and nephew of Sam Johnson, founder of the Eighth of August Celebration. Sam, Dolly and her children were all emancipated August 8, 1863.

Sam Johnson was emancipated August 8, 1863 along with his sister Dolly, and her three children, Liz, Florence and William. After Sam, his sister Dolly, and her children, were emancipated, Sam was successful in having August 8 set aside for Emancipation Day observances and celebrations. Since that time, celebrations continue to take place throughout Tennessee and other states.

Dolly’s three children are laid to rest in the Freedmen’s Mission Historic Cemetery. Each year during the Annual Eighth of August Jubilee, Beck hosts The Libation the morning of August 8 on the grounds of the historic cemetery. The Libation is a spiritual ceremony that pays tribute to formerly enslaved people emancipated August 8, 1863, and interred at Freedmen’s Historic Cemetery adjacent to Knoxville College.

The Silver-Tipped Cane
Young William, along with his mother Dolly and his uncle Sam, was emancipated August 8, 1863. One of the crowning moments of William’s life was a trip to Washington, D.C. where he met President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who gave him a silver-tipped cane with both their names inscribed. Ned Arter of Louisville, Kentucky, great-great grandson of Sam Johnson, inherited the cane. Each year during the celebration, he presents the cane for public viewing.

More About The Eighth of August

The History

Sam Johnson

Emancipated Aug 8

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The Libation

August 8

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The Red-Carpet

August 8

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