On 29 August 1833 – the Act to abolish slavery was passed, with effect from 1834 and providing for up to six years' 'apprentice'

On 1st August 1838 – enslaved men, women and children in the British colonies became free

21st century – the legacies of the slave trade and slavery live on through racism, underdevelopment and contemporary forms of enslavement.

This year various organisations, institutions both private and public commemorated this day in different style.  London Borough of Waltham Forest marked this by planting a tree outside the town.  In attendance for the tree planting were Ghana High Commissioner, Nigeria High Commissioner, Sierra Leonean Diplomat, Jamaican High Commissioner and representatives from St Lucia.