Emancipation Day

I was researching at the library in McComb and found this write up in the book entitled "Material  for Mississippi History Pike County, Vol. 57, Part 2. While looking through the book, I came across a write up about Emancipation Day. I was truly outraged after reading what it said. It read as follow: 

Emancipation Day

A celebration characteristic among the Negroes is that of the "eight of May." No Negro can be found anywhere in the white quarters available for any kind of work on that day, the day of all days, to them. May 8 is Emancipation Day," a for picnics and any wild forms of amusement they may see fit to indulge in. No one works, no one cares; from the white-haired mammy, bedecked in red bandanna and fresh white starched apron,  to the most pig-tailed bare-foot pickaninny, with the remains of a fried chicken leg in one hand and a stick of peppermint in the other. In the afternoon they have ball games and the Negroes congregate  from many towns. 

Bibliography:

Source Material for Mississippi History, Pike County, Vol, 57, Part 2

McComb, Mississippi Genealogy Department

Mississippi Department of Archives, 1902-1907

WPA Project