International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

Opposition to slavery and the slave trade is one of the priorities voiced by the United Nations. This problem is so global and relevant to the modern world that there are several days on the calendar dedicated to the topic of slavery. One of these dates was August 23 as the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. On this hot day in 1891, the slaves of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (the local name for the island of Haiti) rebelled, destroying their enslavers and hated plantations. The actions of former Haitians were inspired by the events of the French Revolution, where new laws asserted the right to freedom and equality of all people. The uprising grew into a large-scale movement; its leaders managed to achieve autonomy for the island and abolish the shameful slavery of local residents. But the current situation did not suit Napoleon himself, who at that time held the post of first French consul. The future Emperor Bonaparte sends an entire army to fight the rebellious island. Attempts to re-enslave people who felt free led to new uprisings and bloody events. Despite all the efforts of the military, it was not possible to restore the slave system in Haiti. In the 40s of the 19th century, the French government was forced to agree to the independence of the Dominican Republic and its population. The events that happened in Haiti inspired many enslaved people, especially in America. But during the entire period of modern history, this incident became the only successful overthrow of the slave system. For a long time, the shameful serfdom remained in Russia; for a long time, the beautiful words of the American Constitution were just a utopia. It took a hundred years, many revolts and wars, millions of lives to defend the right to freedom, granted to everyone at birth, regardless of gender and nationality. It's scary to realize that slavery has not disappeared from modern realities. People are still being kidnapped, lured, sold, coerced and used. All UN states cannot remain silent and indifferent in the current situation, and therefore must hold events on August 23 aimed at opposing slavery and condemning it.