Abolition Day in Saint Barthélemy Date in the current year: October 9, 2024

Saint Barthélemy was a French commune forming part of Guadeloupe till 2007, when it became the overseas collectivity. These changes made possible replacement of certain French public holidays with local non-working holidays or introduction of additional local public holidays. Originally Abolition Day was celebrated on May 27, but the government of the island decided to move it to October 9.

Saint Barthélemy became a part of the French Kingdom by 1674 and in 1758 it was taken over by the British. The British gave the island to Sweden in 1784 and a new government installed slavery in 1787. The slavery was abolished in Saint Barthélemy on October 9, 1847 and the slaves were granted freedom. In 1877 the island and its free citizens were given back to France and it became a part of Guadeloupe.

The islanders still celebrate Slavery Abolition Day two times a year – on May 27 and October 9, but only the latter has an official status.