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.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Canada

• The 2026 observance is centered around the official United Nations theme, Justice in Action: Confronting History, Advancing Dignity, Empowering Futures, which emphasizes the need for repair and the protection of the rights of Afro-descendant communities.
• In a significant international milestone, the United Nations headquarters in New York will host the Canadian-produced exhibition A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada from March 17 to April 19, 2026.
• Developed by the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, this exhibition challenges the common national narrative of Canada solely as a refuge by detailing over two centuries of chattel slavery that occurred on Canadian soil.
• The specific date of March 25 was chosen for this annual observance because it marks the anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which ended the legal trading of enslaved people across the British Empire, including the colonies that would become Canada.
• Scholarly interest is expected to rise with the release of Joe the Pressman: The Incredible True Story of an Enslaved African Boy Who Became a Heroic Freedom Fighter, the first English-language children’s book dedicated to exploring the history of slavery in Canada.
• New creative works are bringing this history to the forefront, such as the film 80 Died of Flux and Flu by artist Camille Turner, which serves as a cinematic memorial to those who perished during the Middle Passage.
• Canadians are increasingly exploring the story of Olivier le Jeune, who is recognized as the first person of African descent to be legally enslaved in New France around 1628.
• The 2026 commemorations often highlight the Ark of Return, the permanent memorial at the United Nations designed to acknowledge the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade and the resilience of its victims.
• Local educational efforts in Canada frequently reference the Hanging of Angélique, the story of Marie-Josèphe Angélique, an enslaved woman whose trial and execution in 1734 remain a pivotal moment in the history of resistance against Canadian slavery.

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