Abolition Commemoration Day is observed in New York State on the second Monday in July, commemorating the final emancipation of African Americans in July 1827. The holiday marks the end of slavery, which began in New York during the Dutch slave trade and was regulated by a series of slave codes established between 1702 and 1730. Celebrations trace back to July 5, 1827, when newly freed African Americans held a parade, choosing this date to avoid potential racist violence associated with July 4. The New York State Assembly officially recognized Abolition Commemoration Day in 2020, reviving earlier celebrations that had diminished after anti-abolitionist riots in 1834. The New York Manumission Society, founded in 1785, played a significant role in advocating for gradual emancipation, leading to a gradual decline in slavery in the state. Today, this state holiday serves as a reminder of the struggle for freedom and the contributions of African Americans to the state's history.