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Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade 

23 March 2007

Abolition of slavery logoFor over four hundred years, from the mid-fifteenth century, Europeans enslaved millions of Africans through the transatlantic slave trade. It is thought that over 12 million Africans were loaded onto slave ships and that some three million died.

25 March 2007 marks 200 years – to the day – that a Parliamentary Bill was passed to abolish the slave trade in the then British Empire. This marked the beginning of the end for the transatlantic traffic in human beings.

Although it would be another 30 years before slaves gained their final freedom when slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire, the Bicentenary in 2007 gives the opportunity to remember the millions who suffered; to pay tribute to the courage and moral conviction of all those – black and white – who campaigned for abolition; and to demand to know why today, in some parts of the world, forms of slavery still persist two centuries after the argument for abolition in this country was won.

The Government wants to ensure that the best possible legacy is achieved by marking the Bicentenary in the following ways across the country:

Reflecting on the past

  • raising awareness of the Bicentenary
  • commemoration of those who suffered as a result of the slave trade
  • recognition of the efforts of those who struggled for abolition, including slaves and former slaves, states-people and ordinary citizens and of those who enforced the Act.

Looking to the future

  • poverty and inequality on the African continent and in the Caribbean
  • tackling inequality, discrimination and racism today, in particular for people of African and Caribbean heritage living in the UK
  • tackling contemporary slavery in all its forms.

Key dates during the Bicentenary year include 25 March 2007 which marks the actual anniversary of the date of signing of the Abolition Act in 1807 and 23 August 2007, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been chairing an informal advisory group of influential stakeholders to help encourage action across the cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that the bicentenary makes a national impact and is relevant to local communities across the country. It is important that communities are able to commemorate in the way that they want to. There is also a great deal going on internationally in which the Government is playing a part.

A large number of national, regional and local events are taking place throughout 2007. TheExternal linkRoyal Mail andExternal linkRoyal Mint are also producing commemorative stamps and a £2 coin to mark the bicentenary.

As well as activities and events happening throughout England and Wales, Scotland has an extensive programme planned to mark the bicentenary, further details of which can be found at www.onescotland.com. 

For further information about what’s on and the Government’s support for the bicentenary visitExternal linkwww.direct.gov.uk/slavery  orExternal linkwww.bbc.co.uk/slavery

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