Abolition Day around the world in 2024

Abolition Day around the world in 2024
Anse Cafard Slave Memorial, Martinique.
  How long until Abolition Day?
Abolition Day
  Dates of Abolition Day around the world
2025 Various May 22, May 27, May 28, Jun 10
French GuianaTue, Jun 10National Holiday
GuadeloupeTue, May 27National Holiday
MartiniqueThu, May 22National Holiday
Saint MartinWed, May 28National Holiday
2024 Various May 22, May 27, May 28, Jun 10
French GuianaMon, Jun 10National Holiday
GuadeloupeMon, May 27National Holiday
MartiniqueWed, May 22National Holiday
Saint MartinTue, May 28National Holiday
2023 Various May 22, May 27, May 28, Jun 10
French GuianaSat, Jun 10National Holiday
GuadeloupeSat, May 27National Holiday
MartiniqueMon, May 22National Holiday
Saint MartinSun, May 28National Holiday
2022 Various May 22, May 27, May 28, Jun 10, Oct 9
French GuianaFri, Jun 10National Holiday
GuadeloupeFri, May 27National Holiday
MartiniqueSun, May 22National Holiday
Saint BarthélemySun, Oct 9National Holiday
Saint MartinSat, May 28National Holiday
2021 Various May 22, May 27, May 28, Jun 10, Oct 9
French GuianaThu, Jun 10National Holiday
GuadeloupeThu, May 27National Holiday
MartiniqueSat, May 22National Holiday
Saint BarthélemySat, Oct 9National Holiday
Saint MartinFri, May 28National Holiday
  Summary

Slavery was finally abolished in all French possessions on May 28th 1848

  Which countries observe Abolition Day in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday
Related holidays

About Abolition Day

Like the other major European nations at the time, France was keen to expand its reach into the new world. It established colonies on the American mainland but also took control of several islands in the Caribbean.

These new settlements needed a plentiful supply of workers to drive labour-intensive activities with high mortality rates such as sugar cane plantations, with the French turning to slaves from Africa. By 1778, the French were importing approximately 13,000 Africans for enslavement to the French West Indies.

Louis X of France had abolished slavery within the Kingdom of France way back in 1315, but that particular law never applied to the colonies despite an attempt to extend it to all parts of the Kingdom in the 16th century.

Slavery was abolished by the French Republic in February 1794, but Napoleon revoked that decree in 1802.

On April 27th 1848, under the Second Republic, the decree-law of Schœlcher abolished slavery in all French colonies with a general and unconditional emancipation. The state bought the slaves from the colonists and then freed them.

The countries that observe the abolition of slavery may do so at different dates as the enforcement of the abolition took its time to reach different colonies.


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