INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF SLAVERY VICTIMS AND THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Quick Facts
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade remembers the lives of Africans who were forced into slavery in North, Central and South America.
Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | English |
| Día Internacional de Rememoración de las Víctimas de la Esclavitud y la Trata Transatlántica de Esclavos | Spanish |
| יום זיכרון בינלאומי לקורבנות עבדות וסחר העבדים הטראנס | Hebrew |
| اليوم الدولي لإحياء ذكرى ضحايا الرق وتجارة الرقيق عبر | Arabic |
| 노예 제도 및 대서양 노예 무역 희생자 추모의 날 | Korean |
| Internationalen Tag des Gedenkens an die Opfer der Sklaverei und des transatlantischen Sklavenhandels | German |
International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is on March 25 each year. It honors the lives of those who died as a result of slavery or experienced the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. It is also an occasion to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice.
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade remembers the lives of transatlantic slave trade victims.
©iStockphoto.com/Perttu Sironen
What do people do?
Various events are held on the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These include memorial services and vigils for those who died in slavery, as a result of the slave trade, or from campaigning to end of slavery. In addition, African-American inspired music is performed and exhibitions of art and poetry inspired during the slave trade era are opened.
This day is also an occasion to educate the public, especially young people, about the effects of racism, slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. Educational events are held in schools, colleges and universities.
Public life
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a global observance and not a public holiday.
Background
About 17 million people were transported against their will from Africa to North, Central and South America during the 16th century and up until the 19th century. Millions more died while being transported to the Americas. This mass deportation and resulting slavery are seen as one of the worst violations of human rights. Some experts believe that its effects are still felt in Africa’s economies.
Slavery was officially abolished in the United States on February 1, 1865. However, racial segregation continued throughout most of the following century and racism remains an important issue today. Hence, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is an occasion to discuss the transatlantic slave trade’s causes, consequences and lessons. It is hoped that this will raise awareness of the dangers of racism and prejudice.
On December 17, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 25 as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It was first observed in 2008.
Themes
The theme in 2008 was “Breaking the Silence, Lest We Forget”.
International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | Mar 25 | 2008 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Wed | Mar 25 | 2009 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Thu | Mar 25 | 2010 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Fri | Mar 25 | 2011 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Sun | Mar 25 | 2012 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Mon | Mar 25 | 2013 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Tue | Mar 25 | 2014 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Wed | Mar 25 | 2015 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Fri | Mar 25 | 2016 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Sat | Mar 25 | 2017 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Sun | Mar 25 | 2018 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Mon | Mar 25 | 2019 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance | |
| Wed | Mar 25 | 2020 | International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | United Nations observance |
Ann
BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS 