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 serves to honor and remember those who suffered and died as a result of the brutal slavery system. The day also aims to raise awareness of the dangers of racism and prejudice today. This commemoration is significant as it promotes understanding of the experiences of enslaved Africans and highlights their contributions to the societies where they were enslaved, particularly in fields such as arts, culture, science, and technology.

The establishment of this remembrance day is rooted in the historical events of the transatlantic slave trade, which lasted from the 15th to the 19th century. During this period, millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas where they were enslaved. This observance has a unique relevance to the American population, because of the country's historical involvement in the slave trade, and the profound impact it had on the social, economic, and cultural evolution of the nation.

In the United States, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is typically observed through a variety of educational events, discussions, exhibits, and performances. These activities aim to educate the public about the impact of the slave trade and celebrate the resilience and achievements of African-American communities. This occasion is marked annually on the 25th of March, serving as a solemn reminder of a dark period in the nation's history while also appreciating the strength and perseverance of those who endured it.

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.

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

Top things to do in the US for this observance

• Visit the Ark of Return memorial at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The memorial was unveiled on March 25th, 2015. It honors the victims of the centuries of slavery including the transatlantic slave trade.
• Donate to reputable charities or organizations that are attempting to eliminate modern day slavery. Some examples include Agape International Missions and Polaris.
• Watch a film about the horrors of modern-day slavery. Here are our suggestions:
  Food Chains (2013)
  At the End of Slavery (2013)
  Freedom: Indifference is Not an Option (2012)

References