Emancipation Day in Tonga Date in the current year: June 4, 2024

The Kingdom of Tonga is situated in the southern Pacific Ocean. It consists of 176 islands, 52 of which are inhabited. As of 2011, population of Tonga was 103,000 people. The islands were discovered by the Dutch in 1616. In 1900 Tonga became a British protectorate and it gained independence on June 4, 1970 and joined the Commonwealth of Nations.

There is another significant date for history of Tonga, that also falls on June 4. King George Tupou I abolished the system of serfdom on Vava'u, one of the islands of Tonga, in 1852. However, the serfdom was not officially abolished till June 4, 1862, when the king opened the first parliament. This was the basis for creation of Emancipation Day. It's celebrated every year just after conclusion of the annual three-day Ha'apai Festival.