On August 1, 1838, the enslaved Africans throughout the British Empire in the Caribbean were freed from slavery. In Trinidad and Tobago August 1, 1985, Emancipation Day was declared a national holiday and has since grown into a major national festival, where thousands of people participate in various activities.

This day commemorates Trinidad and Tobago's independence from Britain in 1962. At midnight on 30th August 1962, the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Trinidad and Tobago flag was raised for the first time.

Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1st, 1976. The event is celebrated as a public holiday on September 24th because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution.

Christmas is known to be a religious observance of Christianity celebrating the birth of Christ. However, in Trinidad and Tobago Christmas has expanded well beyond religion to come a cultural celebration.

No one knows for sure when Boxing Day started, but some believe it was centuries ago, when servants would be given the day after Christmas off as a day of rest after feverish preparations for their masters' celebrations.