Original Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution

This provision formally designates August 20th of each year as "Slavery Remembrance Day." The purpose of this designation is to serve as a perpetual reminder of the profound evils associated with slavery, both historically and in its lingering effects on society. The date August 20th commemorates the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.

This part of the resolution explicitly condemns slavery and its ongoing "evil progenies," which refers to the lasting negative effects such as Jim Crow laws, segregation, police brutality, mass incarceration, and institutionalized racism. It also encourages all individuals, communities, and institutions to recognize the importance of remembering slavery's history and its enduring impact on American society and global human rights.

This provision authorizes and requests the President of the United States to issue an annual proclamation. This proclamation would call upon the American people to observe "Slavery Remembrance Day" with appropriate ceremonies and activities, further solidifying its national recognition and encouraging widespread participation in educational and commemorative events across the country.