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Get ready to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of people of African descent on August 31 with International Day for People of African Descent! This day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to promote the protection, recognition, and development of people of African descent worldwide. It also serves as a reminder to honor the contributions of individuals from this community in various aspects such as art, music, literature, and more. So let's come together to celebrate and appreciate the beauty and resilience of people of African descent around the world!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of the Transatlantic Slave Trade</div><div class='timeline-text'>The beginning of this century saw the end of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, after which African communities across the globe started to rebuild their cultural identities post-colonization.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960s-1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>African Diaspora Movement</div><div class='timeline-text'>During this period known as the "African Decades", there was a heightened awareness about African culture, heritage, and contributions amid civil rights movements worldwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2001</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>UN's Durban Conference</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations held a conference against racism in Durban, placing focus on the injustices faced by people of African descent globally.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011-2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Decade for People of African Descent</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations declared this as the International Decade for People of African Descent with focus on justice, development, and recognition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of the International Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations established the International Day for People of African Descent to promote the rights and development of this community.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2022</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Today's Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>People worldwide continue to mark this day to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of people of African descent.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a cultural festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate International Day for People of African Descent by attending a cultural festival or event featuring music, food, and art from various African countries. This is a great way to learn more about African culture and history while supporting the local community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read and discuss African literature</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather with friends or join a book club to read and discuss literature written by African authors. This can be a powerful way to celebrate the contributions of African people to the literary world and engage in meaningful discussions about important issues.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support Black-owned businesses</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use this day as an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses in your community or online. This can include shopping at Black-owned stores, dining at Black-owned restaurants, or using services provided by Black-owned companies. By doing so, you can help promote economic empowerment for people of African descent.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a panel or discussion on Black history and social justice</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Educate yourself and engage in important conversations by attending a panel or discussion on Black history and social justice. This can be a powerful way to honor and acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of people of African descent while also learning about current issues affecting the community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch African films or documentaries</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend the day watching films or documentaries that center on African stories and perspectives. This can be a great way to broaden your understanding of African culture and history while supporting African filmmakers and storytellers.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It recognizes the contributions and struggles of people of African descent</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>International Day for People of African Descent gives a platform to recognize and honor the significant contributions made by people of African descent to society, culture, and history. It also raises awareness about the discrimination, racism and challenges faced by this group.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes unity and understanding</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The day serves as an opportunity to promote inclusivity and encourage dialogue about diversity and cultural understanding. It recognizes that people of African descent are part of a global community and encourages solidarity and respect among all races.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the rich culture and heritage of people of African descent</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>International Day for People of African Descent is a celebration of the diverse cultures, traditions, languages, music, food, art, and literature that make up the African diaspora. It is a time to highlight the beauty and richness of this community and to appreciate the unique contributions it brings to the world.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>People of African Descent Contribute to Over 2.2 Trillion Dollars to America's GDP</h3><p class='facts-content'>By actively taking part in various sectors from business to science, the African-American community currently contributes over $2.2 trillion dollars to America's GDP, further strengthening the country’s financial fortitude.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Brazil Has the Second Largest Black Population in the World</h3><p class='facts-content'>After Nigeria, Brazil is home to the second largest Black population globally, a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade's substantial influence on Brazilian culture and society.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Africa is Birthplace to the World’s Oldest University</h3><p class='facts-content'>Established by a woman of African descent, the University of Al-Qarawiyyin located in Morocco is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest existing, continuously operating university since AD 859.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>African-Americans Have Made Significant Developments in Modern Technology</h3><p class='facts-content'>From the creation of automatic elevator doors to the super-soaker water gun and color PC monitor, innovative contributions from African-American inventors have reshaped the global technology landscape.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>African Languages Influence Modern Dialects</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many modern English words are derived from African languages. Words such as jazz, gumbo, jamboree, banana, coffee, yam, jazz, zebra, zigzag, voodoo, and goober (peanut) all have African roots.</p></div></div>
International Day for People of African Descent is celebrated on August 31 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Saturday.
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Aug 31
Thursday
2024
Aug 31
Saturday
2025
Aug 31
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2026
Aug 31
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