March 22

Slavery Abolished In Puerto Rico

The Spanish National Assembly ended slavery in Puerto Rico on March 22, 1873. Slave-owners were given 35 million pesetas for each slave owned and the slaves were made to continue working for them for three additional years.  There were close to 30,000 slaves freed in Puerto Rico. Emancipation Day is a national holiday in Puerto Rico that is celebrated on March 22 to commemorate the end of slavery.