Abolition Day is observed in Réunion, an overseas department of France, every December 20. This public holiday commemorates the abolition of slavery, which occurred on December 20, 1848. The island, initially settled by Europeans in the 16th century and coming under French possession in 1642, relied heavily on enslaved labor for its coffee plantations, importing African, Chinese, and Indian workers. Following the abolition, the island faced a labor shortage, leading to the influx of foreign workers as indentured laborers. The celebration of Abolition Day is a significant event in the cultural life of the island, featuring various activities that unite people from different cultures and ethnicities in a shared moment of reflection and celebration.