William Wilberforce Day

William Wilberforce Day is celebrated on August 24th in honor of the British politician who dedicated much of his life to fighting against the slave trade and slavery in Britain.

History

The holiday is held on the birthday of William Wilberforce, who was born on August 24th, 1759. He was elected to parliament while still in college, and after traveling to Europe in 1784, he became a strong advocate for ending the sale, purchase, and oppression of people. In 1807, parliament passed a law prohibiting the slave trade in the British Empire, thanks to Wilberforce’s tireless efforts.

Interesting facts

1. Despite suffering from ulcerative colitis, Wilberforce was able to overcome his illness and create a family with six children, all while continuing his fight against slavery.
2. He had poor eyesight and was known to carry books and a bottle of ink with him wherever he went, often staining his clothes with ink.
3. He struggled with concentration and attention span throughout his life.
4. Despite the chaos in his personal life, Wilberforce always had a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve and worked tirelessly to achieve it.

How to take part

To celebrate William Wilberforce Day, you can watch the film Amazing Grace which was released in 2006. It tells the story of Wilberforce’s fight against slavery and features performances by Ioan Griffith as Wilberforce and Benedict Cumberbatch as his friend William Pitt. The film is directed by Michael Epstead, and starred by Romola Gary known for interesting historical films.

When is William Wilberforce Day celebrated in 2024?

William Wilberforce Day is observed on August 24 each year.

Observations