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 is committed to remembering and honouring those who suffered and died as a result of the brutal slavery system. The day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today. An integral aspect of the observance is to educate people about the legacies of slavery, and to acknowledge the impact it has had on the world — both socio-politically and culturally.

This observance is particularly relevant to Canada's history and present. While popular discourse often focuses on the United States' involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, it's important to remember that slavery was also a part of Canadian history. In the late 17th and 18th centuries, both indigenous people and African-descendants became victims of this system in Canada. This history shapes present-day Canada where societal issues — such as systemic racism, racial discrimination, and inequality — continue to persist. Therefore, the International Day of Remembrance serves as an opportunity for Canadians to confront their history, recognize the enduring legacy of slavery, and challenge contemporary forms of racial injustice.

The Day of Remembrance is observed in Canada through various activities aimed at education and raising awareness. These may include exhibitions, cultural performances, public debates, and online discussions highlighting the history and effects of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. This observance places emphasis on both reflecting on the past and looking ahead to ways of eliminating all forms of present-day racial discrimination. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade occurs annually on 25th March, serving as a poignant reminder of the unique role Canadians can play in challenging racial inequality both regionally and globally.

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 is 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.
• Lower Canada (now Quebec), Nova Scotia, and other territories did not outlaw slavery until the British Empire did so in 1833 via the Slavery Abolition Act.
• From the late 18th century to the Civil War, escaped slaves from the United States trekked to Canada via the Underground Railroad. It's estimated that between 30,000 to 40,000 people found freedom in Canada.

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

Top things to do in Canada for this observance

• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in Canada:
  The Book of Negroes (2015) - This is an award-winning six-part Canadian television miniseries based on the novel written by Lawrence Hill, narrating the story of a young girl who is kidnapped from West Africa and sold into slavery.
  Speakers for the Dead (2000) - This documentary reveals the history of Blacks in Canada, which includes being slaves during the 17th century.
• Read a book to learn more about Transatlantic Slave Trade in Canada:
  The Hanging of Angelique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montreal - by Afua Cooper
  North to Bondage: Loyalist Slavery in the Maritimes - by Harvey Amani Whitfield