20 years since slave trade was abolished: Why we need to remember the Haitian Revolution
The large and well-organized uprising, better known as the Haitian Revolution, lasted 13 years and ended with the independent nation of Haiti. Slave trade was finally abolished.
The United Nations' International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed every year on August 23 to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade, the largest deportation in history.
The day is commemorated to pay tribute to all those who fought for freedom and worked hard to abolish the slave trade and slavery throughout the world.
This commitment and the actions used to fight against the system of slavery had an impact on the human rights movement.
Also read| Remembering the victims of slavery: All about the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Also read| Satellite images could identify slave labour in India
What happens on this day?
- Each year, the UN invites people all over the world, including educators, students, and artists and organize events that are the center of the theme on this day.
- Theatre companies, cultural organizations, musicians, and artists take part in this by expressing their resistance against slavery through performances that involve music, dance, and drama.
- Educators promote the day by informing people about the historical events associated with slave trade, the consequences of slave trade, and to promote tolerance and human rights.
- Many organizations, including youth associations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, actively take part in the event to educate society about the negative consequences of the slave trade.
Also read| 264 million children do not have access to education, says UNESCO report
Additional steps taken by UNESCO
- To honour the history of the slave trade and its abolition, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2017, added to its World Heritage List the Mbanza Kongo, Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo (Angola) and the Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site (Brazil), as an acknowledgement of their "outstanding universal value."
- UNESCO also started an initiative in 1994 known as the 'Slave Route' project to contribute to a better understanding of the causes, forms of operation, issues and consequences of slavery in the world;
When was the day first celebrated?
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first celebrated in many countries, in particular in Haiti, on August 23, 1998, and in Senegal on August 23, 1999.
Also read| UNESCO declare Mumbai's Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles as a World Heritage Site
Background of the Haitian Revolution
- The night of August 22-23, 1791, in Saint-Domingue, in what is Haiti and the Dominican Republic today, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade
- Men and women sold into slavery, revolted against the slave system to obtain freedom and independence for Haiti
- The rebellion weakened the Caribbean colonial system, sparking an uprising that led to abolishing slavery and giving the island its independence.
- It marked the beginning of the destruction of the slavery system, the slave trade, and colonialism
The large and well-organized uprising, better known as the Haitian Revolution, lasted 13 years and ended with the independent nation of Haiti.
In 1888, nearly 85 years later, Brazil became the last nation in America to abolish slavery.
Every year UNESCO reminds the international community about the importance of commemorating this day.
The success of the rebellion, led by the slaves is a deep source of inspiration today for the fight against all forms of servitude, racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and social injustice that are a legacy of slavery.
Also read| International Day for Abolition of Slavery: Still 30 million slaves in the world
Interested in General Knowledge and Current Affairs? Click here to know what is happening around the world with our G.K. and Current Affairs section.
To get more updates on Current Affairs, send in your query by mail to education.intoday@gmail.com