International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition 2021
Read more to know the history and significance of this day.
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed on August 23 every year. In Europe, during the imperialist regimes run by the colonial powers, slave trade was a common practice.
History of the day
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed on August 23 every year. Haiti and the Dominican Republic, earlier known as Santo Domingo, was an erstwhile colonial settlement of France in the eighteenth century. "In 1791, the days of August 22 and August 23 experienced the start of an uprising that would play a vital role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade led by the European colonial powers. It inspired the Haitian Revolution which was led by the Black and the mixed race people against the colonial rulers", as reported by News18.
Significance of the day
The United Nations designated this day as an intention to remember and honour the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples who were dehumanised by the cruel practice or systemic racism. According to the UN, "the day should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy. This day should always remind people to continue to analyse and criticise such practices that may transform into modern forms of slavery and exploitation."
