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 honours and pays tribute to the millions of victims of one of the darkest chapters in human history. This solemn occasion encourages reflection upon the profound impact of the slave trade and slavery. Encompassing an educational, awareness-raising, and commemorative element, the Day aims to both remind people of the atrocities of the past and ensure such inhumanity is never repeated.

The United Kingdom has a complex history concerning the transatlantic slave trade as it was once one of the foremost global slave-trade powers. The nation played a crucial role not only in conducting the trade but also in its abolition. The roots of modern Britain are inextricably linked to the exploitation of the millions of Africans forcibly shipped across the ocean during the 15th to the 19th centuries. The International Day of Remembrance provides an opportunity for Britons to learn about and reflect on their nation's historical involvement in these tragic events.

In the UK, this Day is typically marked by educational events, lectures, documentaries, and exhibitions aimed at increasing awareness of the transatlantic slave trade's history and consequence. Many institutions, such as schools or museums, organise activities to share knowledge about the long-lasting effects of slavery on the development of humanity. These commemorative events often provide a platform for dialogue about the culture, resilience, and contribution of people of African descent. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on 25th March each year.

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.
• The transatlantic slave trade for Britain began in the late 17th century and continued till 1807 when they abolished their slave trade. However, the abolition of slavery itself in British colonies only happened in 1833.
• The Museum of London Docklands also hosts an exhibit called "London, Sugar & Slavery" which commemorates the city's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. The exhibit was opened in 2007 as part of the 200th anniversary commemoration of the abolition of the British slave trade.

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

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in United Kingdom:
  Amazing Grace (2006): This film is about politician William Wilberforce's role in ending the slave trade in Britain.
  Belle (2013): Belle is a UK-based historical drama inspired by the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a mixed-race woman raised by Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, whose 1772 legal decision was a significant blow to slavery as an institution.
• Read a book to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in United Kingdom:
  The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano - by Olaudah Equiano: While not a textbook on the trade itself, this autobiography by a former slave provides a first-hand account of the experiences many Africans went through.
  Britain's Black Debt: Reparations for Slavery and Native Genocide - by Hilary McD. Beckles: This book explores the role of Britain in the transatlantic slave trade, as well as the extensive wealth generated from it.