International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition- Theme, Significance

United Nations observes 23 August every year as “International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition”. The Day is observed to engrave the tragedy of the slave trade in the remembrance of all peoples.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition:

The day was consigned by UNESCO to remember the transatlantic slave trade. It is a day to privilage the memory of the men and women who, in Saint-Domingue in 1791, fought and made the way for the end of slavery and dehumanization. It was on the night of 22 and 23 August 1791, in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that marked the commencement of the outbreak that would play a major role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. It is against this background that the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is celebrated on 23 August every year. The Day was first celebrated in a many countries, specially in Haiti on 23 August 1998 and at Goree in Senegal on 23 August 1999.

August 23 is observed as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. During the imperialist rule run by the colonial powers of Europe, slave trade was a cruel yet common practice. Through this practice, a section of the world and its peoples, mostly from Africa and Asia were lessened to mere slaves who were purchased and traded and moved to colonial settlements in Haiti, Caribbean, and other parts of the world.

History of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition:

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed on August 23 due to an important event that took place nearby this date. Santo Domingo, which is present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic, was an erstwhile colonial settlement of France in the eighteenth century. The days of August 22 and August 23, 1791 marked the beginning of the outbreak that would play an important role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade conducted by the European colonial powers. The outbreak motivated the Haitian Revolution which was headed by the Black and the mixed race people against the colonial rulers.

Significance of International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition:

This United Nations assigned day is considered to recall and privilage the disaster of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples who were brutalized by the cruel practice or systemic racism. According to the UN, the day should provide a chance for combined contemplation of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this disaster. This day should always remind people to continue to examine and criticise such practices that may change into modern forms of slavery and exploitation.

It should be memorized that years after it became independent from slavery and colonial rule, Haiti and Dominican Republic still faces internal crisis. Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse was killed before in July leaving the country in a state of civil war, while on August 15 it was shaked by a destructive earthquake that killed 2,189 people so far.

HOW TO OBSERVE?

Every year individuals and organizations around the world arrange events to celebrate its observance. The aim of these events is to teach the public about the negative impacts of the slave trade. Some opt to do this through artistic expression, while others give lectures.

Some ways for you to celebrate this day includes:

• Learn the history of the slave trade.
• Think about how history has changed as a result of the abolition of the slave trade.
• Watch Roots, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, or other movies that tackle slavery.
• Visit a museum or historic site that educates the public on the slave trade (if you don’t have one in your community, you can find one online).

What Do People Do on This Day?

Each year the UN summons people all over the world, comprising educators, students, and artists, to arrange events that center on the theme of this day. Theatre companies, cultural organizations, musicians, and artists participate on this day by showing their hostility against slavery through programmes that includes music, dance, and drama.

Educators encourage the day by advising people about the historical events connected with slave trade, the impacts of slave trade, and to encourage tolerance and human rights. Many organizations, consisting of youth associations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, sincerely participate in the event to educate society about the negative impacts of slave trade.

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Public Life

The UN’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a United Nations observance worldwide but it is not a public holiday.

Background

In late August 1791, an outbreak started in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that would have an important effect on eradicating the transatlantic slave trade. The slave riot in the area depleated the Caribbean colonial system, sparking an outbreak that led to eradicating slavery and providing the island its independence. It noted the starting of the demolition of the slavery system, the slave trade and colonialism.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first celebrated in many countries, in particular in Haiti, on August 23, 1998, and in Senegal on August 23, 1999. Each year the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) remembers the international community about the significance of observing this day. This date also pays respect to those who worked hard to eradicate slave trade and slavery throughout the world. This commitment and the actions used to fight against the system of slavery had an impact on the human rights movement.

Symbols

UNESCO’s logo attributes a drawing of a temple with the “UNESCO” acronym under the roof of the temple and on top of the temple’s foundation. Underneath the temple are the words “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization”. This logo is mainly used in promotional material for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

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