{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5787", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT COMMEMORATES D. HAMILTON JACKSON DAY\u2014 \u201cLIBERTY DAY\u201d\u2014IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS", "2025-11-01", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nNovember 1, 2025 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT COMMEMORATES D. HAMILTON JACKSON DAY\u2014 \u201cLIBERTY DAY\u201d\u2014IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement in recognition of Liberty Day, also known as D. Hamilton Jackson Day or the beloved \u201cBull and Bread\u201d celebration, observed annually on November 1st in the U.S. Virgin Islands:\n\n\u201cEach year, Virgin Islanders gather to commemorate the life and legacy of David Hamilton Jackson \u2014 a teacher, labor leader, newspaper editor, and civil rights advocate whose courage, and leadership forever changed the course of our history.\n\n\u201cIn 1915, Jackson traveled to Denmark to advocate for the repeal of restrictive laws that prohibited independent newspapers in the then-Danish West Indies. Upon his return to St. Croix, he established The Herald, the first free press publication in our islands. This monumental act ushered in a new era of liberty and empowerment for our people.\n\n\u201cThe community celebration that followed \u2014 a day of speeches, fellowship, and the sharing of bread and roast bull \u2014 gave birth to the tradition we know today as \u2018Bull and Bread Day.\u2019 It remains a cherished Virgin Islands holiday, reminding us that freedom of expression, workers\u2019 rights, and self-determination are the cornerstones of a just society.\n\n\u201cDavid Hamilton Jackson\u2019s advocacy extended far beyond press freedom. He founded the first labor union in the Virgin Islands and fought tirelessly for fair wages, better working conditions, and dignity for every worker. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Virgin Islanders to stand boldly for equality and justice.\n\n\u201cAs your Representative in Congress, I remain committed to carrying forward the values that Jackson embodied \u2014 the pursuit of equity, the defense of free speech, and the advancement of opportunity for all. On this Liberty Day, I urge each of us to honor his memory by investing in our young people, supporting fair labor practices, and strengthening the institutions that give voice to our communities.\n\n\u201cMay this Liberty Day serve as a reminder that our freedom was hard-won \u2014 and that it is our shared responsibility to preserve and expand it for generations to come.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nDavid Hamilton Jackson (1884\u20131946) was born on St. Croix in the Danish West Indies. A teacher, advocate, and community leader, he was instrumental in securing freedom of the press, forming the first labor union in the Territory, and promoting workers\u2019 rights and civic engagement. His efforts laid the foundation for the modern Virgin Islands labor movement and for a free and informed society.\n\nThe Virgin Islands Legislature designated November 1st as Liberty Day in 1981 to honor Jackson\u2019s historic achievements. Each year, residents across the Territory \u2014 particularly on St. Croix \u2014 gather for the traditional \u201cBull and Bread\u201d celebration at Grove Place, featuring cultural performances, speeches, and community fellowship in remembrance of his contributions to freedom and justice in the Virgin Islands.", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5787"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0318029671907425, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}