Emancipation Day is observed in the Kingdom of Tonga every June 4, commemorating the country's independence from Britain, which was officially granted on June 4, 1970. This holiday also marks the abolition of serfdom, a significant event in Tongan history, as King George Tupou I first abolished the system on Vava'u in 1852, with official abolition occurring in 1862 when the king opened the first parliament. The celebration of Emancipation Day follows the annual three-day Ha'apai Festival, highlighting its cultural significance. Tonga, located in the southern Pacific Ocean, consists of 176 islands, with 52 inhabited, and had a population of approximately 103,000 as of 2011. The day serves as a reminder of Tonga's journey toward independence and the historical changes that shaped its society.