International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade commemorates the memory of the estimated 15 million men, women and children who suffered and died during the devastating transatlantic slave trade. The Observance presents an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of racism and prejudice today. It focuses on honouring and remembering those who suffered and perished at the hands of the brutal slavery system.

The United Nations General Assembly declared this commemorative day in 2007. It aims to remind people of the negative impact that slavery had on the world. For Australians, this Observance challenges us to recognise and reflect on the often overlooked history of slavery within our own country, such as the use of Pacific Islander labour in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The day encourages a deep understanding of the roots of systemic discrimination and fosters a commitment towards achieving racial equality and justice.

In Australia, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is marked through a variety of events aimed at promoting knowledge and understanding. These include exhibitions, films, debates, workshops and cultural performances. Schools, universities, and community organisations strive to educate about the historical atrocities of slavery and its ongoing impact. The Observance is recognised annually on March 25, serving as a powerful reminder to all Australians of the need for ongoing commitment to combating racism and discrimination.

Facts about Victims of Slavery & the Transatlantic Slave Trade

• The theme for International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade in 2025 was Honoring Memories, Fostering Resilience, in 2024 it was Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations, and in 2023 Fighting slavery’s legacy of racism through transformative education.
• According to walkfree.org, in 2023, there are about there about 49.6 million people living in modern slavery, most of them children
• According to the Borgen Project, about 68% of enslaved people are trapped in forced labor. Industries like agriculture, textile, chocolate, and mining are most likely to have slave laborers.
• During the 19th and 20th centuries, Australia was involved in a form of slavery or forced labor known as "blackbirding", where thousands of Pacific Islanders were tricked or coerced into working on sugarcane plantations in Queensland. This is a significant part of Australia's colonial history.
• Australia has been part of global abolition and anti-slavery movements. Notably, Australian women's groups in the late 19th and early 20th century played a role in campaigning against the slave trade, particularly in Africa.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in Australia:
  The First Australians - This seven-part documentary chronicles the history of the Aboriginal people from their first arrival on the continent to the current issues they face.
  The Secret Country: The First Australians Fight Back - This documentary delves into the suppression and struggle of the Aboriginal people during Australia's colonization.
• Read a book to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in Australia:
  Australia’s Pacific War: Challenging a national myth - by Tom O'Lincoln
  The Pacific Islanders: From Savages to Saints - by David Hilliard