Hundreds gathered at Sandys Secondary Middle School yesterday evening to honour community heroes and celebrate Emancipation Day.The event, organised by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, marked the occasion with dance and song.A total of 18 people and five organisations were honoured during the outdoor ceremony, divided in Cup Match spirit into Somerset and St George's groups.Banners with the biographies of the people or organisations were unveiled around the auditorium as the ceremony progressed, while representatives of the honorees were given potted plants.Among those West Enders honoured were celebrated builder Charles Roach Ratteray, physician and philanthropist Dr Richard Packwood, women's suffrage leader Gladys Morrell, educator Louisa Gardiner Richards and politician Dr Eustace Cann.East Enders celebrated during the ceremony included James (Jemmy) Darrell, a skilled pilot who fought laws imposed on free blacks, carpenter and supporter of black rights Robert Packwood Sr, celebrated nurse Sylvia Richardson, band leader Capt Horace Gibbons, and author Cyril Outerbridge Packwood.Both the St George's and Somerset Cricket Club were also honoured, along with The Progressive Group, the HM Dockyard Apprentices and Sandys Secondary School.In between the presentations, the crowd were entertained with dance performances, choreographed by Eric Bean Jr and musical performances by Toni Robinson and Madree Musson.Minister Patrice Minors told the crowd that it was important to remember those who have sacrificed to make Bermuda the country it is today.Noting that today marks the 178th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, she said: “Today is a time to reflect on and take stock of our history.“It is a time when we can come together and up hold all the reasons why emancipation came into being. [Slavery] is a legacy that must never be forgotten so it can never be repeated.”For more pictures clickhere