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On August 23, we honor and remember the millions of lives lost to the transatlantic slave trade and celebrate its abolition on International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This day was designated by UNESCO in 1998 to raise awareness about the historical significance of this tragic event and to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect towards all cultures. It is also a time to reflect on how far we have come in terms of human rights and equality, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. Let's take a moment today to educate ourselves and pay tribute to those who suffered during this dark period in history.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1791</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Haitian Revolution Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>On August 22-23, enslaved Africans in Haiti began a rebellion, which marked the beginning of the Haitian Revolution and led to the end of slavery in the nation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1807</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>British Abolish Slave Trade</div><div class='timeline-text'>The British Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, outlawing the British slave trade.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1834</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Slavery Abolished in British Colonies</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Slavery Abolition Act was enacted, abolishing slavery in most British colonies and freeing more than 800,000 enslaved Africans.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1865</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of U.S. Slavery</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. abolished slavery with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, after the Civil War.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1964</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Civil Rights Act Passed</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. passed the Civil Rights Act, officially outlawing discrimination based on race or color.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Official Designation by UNESCO</div><div class='timeline-text'>UNESCO designated August 23 as International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.</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'>Visit a museum or memorial</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to visit a museum or memorial dedicated to the history of the slave trade and its abolition. This can help educate and raise awareness on this important day.</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'>Host a discussion or book club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family for a discussion or book club centered around the theme of the slave trade and its abolition. This can be a powerful way to remember and honor this day.</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'>Attend a commemorative event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check local listings for any commemorative events happening in your area. This could include lectures, concerts, or other special programs that honor the memory of those affected by the slave trade.</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'>Volunteer at a related organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use this day as an opportunity to give back by volunteering at an organization that works towards ending modern-day slavery or supporting survivors of the slave trade.</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'>Share information on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread awareness about the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition by sharing information or resources on social media. Use hashtags like #RememberSlavery to join in on the conversation.</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'>Remembering the past is crucial for understanding the present</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition serves as a reminder of a dark period in history that cannot be forgotten. It allows us to reflect on the consequences of slavery and how it has shaped the world we live in today.</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'>Honoring the victims and survivors of slavery</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>This day pays tribute to the millions of men, women, and children who were sold into slavery and suffered untold hardships. It also commemorates those who fought against slavery and advocates for human rights. By remembering their stories, we honor their legacy and amplify their voices.</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'>Educating future generations about the atrocities of slavery</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the most important reasons for observing this day is to educate people about the brutalities of slavery and its lasting impact. By educating future generations, we can work towards creating a more just and equal world where discrimination and exploitation are never tolerated.</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'>The Slave Trade is Recorded in History for Over 400 Years</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, which forcibly took millions of people from Africa to the New World, lasted from the late 15th century until the late 19th century. This historical atrocity existed for more than 400 years.</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 Received the Most Captive Africans in The New World</h3><p class='facts-content'>Out of all the destinations in the New World, Brazil received the most African slaves, with approximately 4.9 million Africans arrived in chains—approximately ten times the number that arrived in North America.</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'>The Zong Massacre Highlights the Brutality of Slave Shipping</h3><p class='facts-content'>In one of the most horrific incidents illustrative of the brutality of slave shipping, over 130 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard a ship named Zong in 1781 because the ship's water supply was running low due to navigational errors.</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'>The Ending of the International Slave Trade didn't halt the Domestic Slave Trade</h3><p class='facts-content'>Even after the international slave trade was outlawed, slaves were still bought and sold within countries. In the United States, for example, the domestic slave trade continued and even grew in some states until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.</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'>Slavery Is Not Entirely Abolished Though it Is Universally Illegal</h3><p class='facts-content'>While slavery is officially illegal in every country today, it still exists in various forms worldwide. It's estimated that over 40 million people are trapped in modern forms of slavery such as forced labor, human trafficking, and coerced marriages.</p></div></div>
International Day for the Remembrance of the Salve Trade and its Abolition is celebrated on August 23 every year. In 2024, the date will fall on a Friday.
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