History of Jubilee Day
The history of Jubilee Day began in August 1914, with a lawsuit sought by White Shriners against Prince Hall Shriners, which ended in a historic decision by the United States Supreme Court on June 3, 1929. The lawsuit attempted to deprive Prince Hall Shriners of using the name, designation, letters, emblems, and regalia as Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and to only be recognized as Shriners. It also extended those implications to all appending Prince Hall Masons established in the United States.
The Supreme Court ruling overturned lower Court rulings in Georgia, Texas and Arkansas. The long, fifteen year legal battle was a sacrifice of devastating proportions for the Prince Hall Shriners. Yet, with unwavering determination and a unified effort, the Prince Hall Shriners were successful in their cause.
Now, each year on the closest Sunday to June 3rd, Prince Hall Shrine Temples all across the world celebrate Jubilee Day with a public ceremony to proclaim our “Jubilee”.
