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Windrush Day
Observed byUnited Kingdom
TypeSecular
SignificanceHistory and contribution of Afro-Caribbean migrants in the UK
Date22 June
Next time22 June 2025 (2025-06-22)
FrequencyAnnual
First time2018
Related toEmpire Windrush

Windrush Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 22 June to honour the contributions of migrants to the post-war economy. Specifically, it celebrates Afro-Caribbeans who began arriving on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948.[1] Later known as the "Windrush generation", these economic migrants were an important part of the UK's recovery from the privations of World War II [citation needed]. Windrush Day is not a bank holiday but has grown in popularity since a campaign by Patrick Vernon led to its introduction in 2018.[2]

History

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On 22 June 1948, 492 Caribbean people were brought to Tilbury Docks, Essex, in the UK, on the Empire Windrush ship.[3] News reports at the time reported that the number of people was 492, but the ship's records show that the ship was carrying 1,027 passengers.[4] According to the passenger lists, 802 of those on board the ship gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean. After World War II, the United Kingdom's economy needed to be repaired. To do so, the British government recruited Afro-Caribbean migrants and offered them jobs.[5][dead link‍][citation needed] These jobs included the production of steel, coal, iron, and food, and also jobs in the service sector, such as running public transport and staffing the new National Health Service in the United Kingdom.[6]

The first African-Caribbean immigrants in the United Kingdom were faced with extreme intolerance from many in the white population. Although African-Caribbean migrants were encouraged to settle in the United Kingdom and take up employment to relieve the labour market by the authorities, many early immigrants were denied access to private employment and accommodation because of the colour of their skin. Black people were also banned from many pubs, clubs, and even churches.[7][8][9]

Campaign

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Patrick Vernon was the first to call for the commemoration of "Windrush Day", to recognise the migrant contribution to UK society, on the day when the first big group of post-war migrants from the West Indies arrived in Britain.[1][10][11] Vernon first launched a petition to this effect in 2013,[12][13] which was followed by a further campaign in 2018, at the height of the Windrush scandal.[14][15][16] Official backing was given when it was subsequently announced by the government that an annual Windrush Day would be celebrated on 22 June, supported by a grant of up to £500,000, to recognise and honour the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants and to "keep their legacy alive for future generations, ensuring that we all celebrate the diversity of Britain's history."[17][18]

Modern day

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The purpose of Windrush Day is to encourage "communities across the country to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants",[19] according to the United Kingdom government. "A Windrush Day will allow communities up and down the country to recognise and honour the enormous contribution of those who stepped ashore at Tilbury Docks 70 years ago", said communities minister Nick Bourne.[20] Government funding helps a variety of events and activities to take place, such as the day dance performances, exhibitions, and debate.[21][22][23]

On Windrush Day 2021, a plaque was erected in memory of British immigrant rights activist Paulette Wilson, a member of the "Windrush generation"[24] (which term usually refers to those who were born in the Caribbean and settled in the UK between 1948 and 1971).[3] The plaque was launched with campaigners including Patrick Vernon and Claire Darke as well as her family at the Wolverhampton Heritage Centre.[25] The centre is a cornerstone of the area's local Caribbean community and was formerly the constituency office of Enoch Powell, where the infamous "Rivers of Blood" speech was written.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b Vernon, Patrick (25 January 2010). "Windrush Day: a fitting way to celebrate our immigrant population". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  2. ^ Vernon, Patrick (9 May 2018). "The Windrush shaped Britain. Why not recognise that?". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Windrush: A landmark in the history of modern Britain", The History Press.
  4. ^ McDowell, Linda. "How Caribbean Mirgrants Helped to Rebuild Britain". Windrush Stories, British Library, 4 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Windrush Day". Liberal Democrats. 22 June 2019.
  6. ^ Singh, Satbir; Omar Khan (22 June 2019). "Opinion: On National Windrush Day, this is the history of British immigration policy and how we can change it". The Independent.
  7. ^ Andrews, Kehinde (1 October 2020). "Paul Stephenson: the hero who refused to leave a pub – and helped desegregate Britain". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "'Co-existence through calypsos and Cockney cabaret': the inter-racial movement and dutiful citizenship". Black London Histories. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  9. ^ Wright, Lisa (28 October 2017). "The racist nightclub ordered to change its entry policy". BBC News.
  10. ^ Vernon, Patrick (21 June 2013), "Why Windrush Day matters", British Future.
  11. ^ Vernon, Patrick (8 July 2015), "We need a Windrush Day to celebrate the migrant contribution to UK", Brixton Blog.
  12. ^ "Join calls to celebrate Windrush Day every year", Patrick Vernon website, 2013.
  13. ^ "Why Windrush Day matters", Patrick Vernon website. 2013.
  14. ^ "Former Hackney councillor renews call for national Windrush Day", Hackney Citizen, 21 May 2018.
  15. ^ Kadrolli, Erenata (25 May 2018), "Petition launched to recognise Windrush Day", East London Lines.
  16. ^ Vernon, Patrick (29 May 2018),"The Reader: We should designate a day to celebrate the Windrush's arrival", Have Your Say, Evening Standard.
  17. ^ Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, "Annual day of celebrations for the Windrush Generation" (Press release), UK Government, 18 June 2018.
  18. ^ Badshah, Nadeem (18 June 2018), "UK makes Windrush Day official with £500k grant to support events", The Guardian.
  19. ^ "Caribbean Recipes: Food and Ingredients from the Windrush Generation". Sous Chef. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  20. ^ Telegraph Reporters (18 June 2018). "Windrush Day' will celebrate the arrival of Caribbean migrants 70 years ago". The Telegraph.
  21. ^ "Windrush Day | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. 22 June 2019.
  22. ^ "WINDRUSH DAY | Ashmolean Museum". www.ashmolean.org.
  23. ^ Newey, Sarah (18 June 2018). "Annual Windrush Day celebrating the generation and their descendants announced". inews.co.uk.
  24. ^ Gentleman, Amelia (22 June 2021). "Plaque for Windrush campaigner unveiled at former office of Enoch Powell". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  25. ^ Vukmirovic, James (22 June 2021). "Paulette Wilson: Windrush campaigner's life honoured with ceremony and plaque". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  26. ^ White, Nadine (22 June 2021). "Paulette Wilson, late Windrush campaigner, to be honoured with blue plaque". The Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
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