Abolition Day (Saint Martin) – May. 28, 2027

Expected Abolition Day (Saint Martin) Deals

Abolition Day in Saint Martin is a time for reflection and community, rather than commercial deals. Organizations dedicated to historical preservation and social justice, such as the Saint Martin Historical & Archaeological Society and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, often highlight educational resources and fundraising initiatives. Local cultural centers and community groups may host events focused on heritage and freedom. Support these efforts by donating or engaging with their educational programs. We will update this page with confirmed community events as May 28 approaches.

History of Abolition Day (Saint Martin)

Like many other Caribbean islands that were once French colonies, Saint Martin, too, has a storied history of enslavement and enforced labor. The land was already inhabited by indigenous people when Christopher Columbus sighted Saint Martin, then called ‘Soualiga’ or ‘Island of Salt.’ He claimed it as Spanish territory immediately after, although the Spanish chose to settle in richer, much more profitable colonies. They were also the first to import slaves to the island, but the numbers remained small as the Spanish focused their attention on other lands.

This mostly left-alone island attracted French and Dutch attention, the former because they wanted to colonize multiple Caribbean islands and the latter. After all, Saint Martin was a convenient halfway stop between their colonies. By 1648, the Spanish had deserted the land, and after some initial territorial conflicts, the French and Dutch each took over a portion of the island for their own. As with every interesting piece of history, there’s a legend attached to this division of land too. According to the story, the two sides held a contest, and one soldier from each side had to walk in either direction at the same time. The land they covered until a set period would be theirs. The tale ends with the Frenchman using a shortcut to cover more ground and the Dutchman getting distracted, which led to the French holding more territory in Saint Martin. While a very popular story at the time, the size and proximity of the French military’s warships likely resulted in them getting a bigger share of the land. This division would not hold steady in the years to follow, as the French and Dutch had various border skirmishes right up until 1815 when the island was divided once and for all.

Through it all, the production of various cash crops — cotton, tobacco, sugar — increased twofold on the island. And with more production came an increased demand for labor, specifically, indentured labor. Immense numbers of slaves were brought in to work on these plantations, so many that their numbers soon began to outstrip the slave owners. As with other colonies, slaves revolted here too, protesting the mistreatment and oppression by owners. When the French abolished slavery in the 19th century, they adopted this law on the French side of Saint Martin too. The slaves on the Dutch side of the island began to demand their freedom as well and threatened to escape to the French side of Saint Martin if their demands were not met. The local authorities relented and allowed emancipation on the island, although it would be 15 years until the Dutch abolished slavery in all their colonies, making the slaves on the island truly free.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Abolition Day (Saint Martin)