United States Virgin Islands


     St.Thomas is one of the beautiful islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  This island has been through various different countries before finally being own by the United States. A major historical event that took place on this island was Emancipation day. That day is significant to St.Thomas because that was the day the Virgin Island transformed from Denmark to the United States Virgin Islands. Another event that transpired in St.Croix was Fire Burn Day. During this event, black laborers gathered to Fredricksted and revolt against the labor laws. By this time, slavery had ended thirty years ago, but the people were forced to sign a contract binding them to the plantations. It was supposed to be a peaceful protest, but rumors spread about police killing someone, so a riot broke out. The violence quickly became known as "Fireburn The name came from the people burning town during the riot. ." Three characters stood out the most during this event: Queen Mary, Queen Agnes, and Queen Matilda. These ladies lead the protest of people marching and burning down the towns. There was even a song made explaining the event that the islanders still sing to this day. It goes like this:

         "Queen Mary, oh where you gon' go burn?

Queen Mary, oh where you gon' go burn?

Don't ask me nothin' at all. Just give me the match and oil.

Bassin Jailhouse, ah there the money there.

Don't ask me nothin' at all. Just give me the match and oil.

Bassin Jailhouse, ah there the money there.

Queen Mary, oh where you gon' go burn?

Queen Mary, oh where you gon' go burn?

Don't ask me nothin' at all. Just give me the match and trash.

Bassin Jailhouse, ah there the money there.

Don't ask me nothin' at all. Just give me the match and trash.

Bassin Jailhouse, ah there the money there.

We gon' burn Bassin come down,

And when we reach the factory, we'll burn am level down."

One of the topics that interest me the most is the one about Water Island. On December 12, 1996, water Island officially became apart of the United States Virgin Islands. Yet when you type in USVI, that island does not pop up in your searches.  Even the people living there do not really consider it about virgin island. They just think it is a sub-island. The island is in front of St.thomas and takes about ten minutes or less to get there by ferry.

sources:

https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events

https://www.visittheusa.com/destination/st-thomas

http://www.oberlinlibstaff.com/omeka_projects/exhibits/show/radical-thinkers-and-movements/sugar-on-st--croix--oppression/queen-mary--folksong--a-commem

Comments

  1. English Composition II Assignment BlogApril 4, 2021 at 11:15 PM

    I didn't know this little tidbit of the Virgin Islands, though I suppose I do now. The song you included was a nice touch too. I didn't know the specifics of the things that happened to the Virgin Islands... though I can't exactly be surprised by them either. I appreciate the history lesson.

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