Many Caribbean nations are marking the anniversary of emancipation with calls for apologies and reparations from countries that profited from the human trade.

Slavery finally was abolished in most Caribbean territories on Aug. 1, 1874. Although abolished some 26 years earlier in 1807, it was not until Aug. 1, 1833, that British member of Parliament and social reformer Thomas Buxton presented the Emancipation Bill before the British Parliament. The ensuing act went into effect one year later on Aug.1, 1834.