International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is an international day celebrated on August 23 of each year. The day was chosen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.

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International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: Theme

The theme for this year is ‘Decolonisation.’ The fundamental right to self-determination is identified by the United Nations as core to decolonization, allowing not only independence, but also other ways of decolonization.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: Significance

This International Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. It should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy, and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: History

On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in Saint Domingue, today the Republic of Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

It is against this background that the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is commemorated on 23 August each year. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (23 August 1998) and Gorée Island in Senegal (23 August 1999).

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945;
• UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France;
• UNESCO Members: 193 countries;
• UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.

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