To celebrate the opening, this weekend a series of free events are planned at the site

Two years since ground was broken at Duane and Elk Streets, the African Burial Ground National Monument memorial opens to the public on Friday, October 5^th, at 1 p.m. The memorial commemorates the lives of more than 20,000 enslaved Africans who were buried in the Civic Center area in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Designed by architect Rodney Léon, it is the first national monument dedicated to Africans of early New York and Americans of African descent.

To celebrate the opening, this weekend a series of free events are planned at the site, including the renaming of Elk Street as "African Burial Ground Way." Other events include

Friday, October 5^th

1 p.m.: Grand Opening of the African Burial Ground National Monument memorial

6 to 8 p.m.: "Greet the Torch" at Battery Park. Drummers and a mass choir will greet the ceremonial torch as it arrives from the Statue of Liberty.

8 to 10 p.m.: Candlelight procession from Battery Park to Foley Square. The procession will honor the Africans who helped build the city of New York as participants march in candlelight from Battery Park to the African Burial Ground National Monument; performances to follow at Foley Square.

Saturday, October 6^th

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: International tribute concert at Foley Square with performers from Africa and the African Diaspora celebrating the ancestors of the African Burial Ground.

October 8^th through 12^th

Youth Week educational programs. Call (212) 637-2019 for class or group reservations.

For more information on dedication events call (212) 491-2012 or visit www.nps.gov/afbg.

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