June 10 is observed annually in Guyana as Abolition Day. This day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. However, this observation applies not only to Guyana, but also to other former European colonies in the Caribbean. Europeans were notorious for enslaving indigenous people and subjecting them to heinous atrocities. Citizens attempt to confront the past on Abolition Day. Those who were subjected to serfdom or other forms of involuntary servitude may also observe this day. Abolition Day is a reminder of humanity’s ongoing legacy of cruelty.
HISTORY OF ABOLITION DAY
Guyana celebrates Abolition Day alongside former European colonies in the Caribbean. As soon as the British Empire abolished slavery, the colonies did the same. Originally known as Freedom Day, today’s Abolition Day is also known as Emancipation Day.
Guyana is situated along the northern coastline of South America. Before the Dutch established a colony there in the 1500s, it was originally inhabited by numerous Indian tribes. The colony was held by the Dutch, the British, and the French before the British ultimately captured it in 1814. It did not attain its independence until 1966. Approximately 250 years ago, the majority of Guyana’s colonial population consisted of African slaves brought over to labour on coastal plantations. Unfortunately, none of the slave revolts were successful in achieving their goal of emancipation.
In 1834, slavery was abolished in Guyana. Following this, the economy and social structure of Guyana underwent a comprehensive transformation. Many former slaves abandoned the plantations and settled in the rural areas surrounding Georgetown and other cities. The labour shortage on the plantations necessitated the recruitment of indentured labourers from India, China, and Portugal. The economy expanded to include gold mining, timber harvesting, and a more diverse agricultural sector. Trade with foreign nations also increased. Consequently, while those of African descent were immediately and most directly affected by the abolition of slavery, it ultimately improved the lives of everyone. Due to this, Guyana adopted the national motto “One People, One Nation, and One Destiny.”
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Five essential facts about slavery
Slavery is an age-old institution.
Sumer in Mesopotamia is where the first instances of servitude are documented.
not every region had the same population
Over ninety percent of African slaves were brought to the Caribbean and South America.
Not all slaves survived the trip.
Twelve percent of those transported across the Atlantic on slave ships perished during the voyage.
In 1808, the U.S. outlawed slavery.
However, it remained in use for the subsequent fifty years.
This was a widespread practise.
Between 1526 and 1867, approximately 12.5 million African slaves were transported to the Americas.
ABOLITION DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | June 10 | Saturday |
| 2024 | June 10 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 10 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | June 10 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | June 10 | Thursday |
