Mauritius commemorates Abolition Day on February 1st, 2024, marking the abolition of slavery, a day marked by the British Parliament's decision to grant independence.
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Abolition of Slavery Day (Mauritius) 2024: The nation commemorates the abolition of slavery on February 1st of each year as Abolition Day or the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius. A year after the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, most British colonies in the Caribbean and South Africa freed Africans who had been held as slaves. Following suit, Mauritius became the next British colony to be granted independence in 1835. Planters received two million pounds sterling as payment for the loss of their slaves. In 1968, the Dutch colony of Mauritius, France, and Great Britain gained their independence.
The irony of Mauritius’ early history is astounding, even if the 1.2 million-person tropical island presently leads the list of opulent travel destinations with some of the most breathtaking scenery, beaches, lagoons, and reefs. No people were living on the island before the Arabs. However, a study of Mauritius’ past would be incomplete without addressing slavery. There is no written record of Mauritius’s history before the first period. As a result, the earliest dates in the nation’s history are shrouded in uncertainty.
Off the southeast coast of Africa, Mauritius is believed to be located approximately 702 miles east of Madagascar. Arabs and Malay people first discovered the island in 1507, and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to call it “Cirné” in 1510.
Early in the 16th century, it began to receive formal recognition after the Dutch captured it in 1598 and renamed it after their head of state, Maurice, Prince of Orange, and Count of Nassau.
In the 1640s, the Dutch brought in the first slaves. Slaves suffered horrendously under the Dutch government, and any attempt at resistance resulted in severe repercussions.
About 200 Dutch people lived on the island by the 17th century, along with slaves from Madagascar, Africa, India, and Java. The Dutch left in 1710 after their circumstances became unfavorable, and the British took control in 1810. Slaves from Madagascar and East Africa made up a sizable portion of the island’s population by that time.
After the Slavery Abolition Act was passed in 1833, the British Empire declared the slave trade to be abolished in 1834; however, Mauritius took months to act before the apprenticeship system persuaded slave owners to the contrary. On February 1, 1835, they followed suit and ended slavery as the final British colony.
Despite the legal abolition of slavery, modern slavery persists and is often concealed as forced labor, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. Speak up against these vices to improve, secure, and uplift the world.
The world changed after the slave trade was outlawed. Explore the history of the day to commemorate the arrival of equality, peace, and harmony. Remain current with your origins.
This significant holiday unites us. Using the hashtags #SlaveTrade, #AbolitionofSlaveryDay, and #InternationalDayfortheAbolitionofSlavery, you can participate in social media updates and discussions.
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The day serves as a reminder to combat bigotry and prejudice in all of its manifestations. It also acts as a reminder of the value of tenacity in the struggle for liberty and fundamental human rights.
It raises awareness of slavery, including its existence in the present era and its enduring effects on our planet. By highlighting historical injustice, it encourages others to speak out against injustice.
A trip down memory lane highlights the reality that 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery, inspiring us to do better and be better human beings. Why not find out more about contemporary slavery and what you can do to prevent it in honor of this day?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February 1 | Thursday |
| 2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
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