Windrush Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 22 June to honour the contributions of migrants to the post-war economy. It celebrates African-Caribbeans who began arriving on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948,
History
On 22 June 1948, 492 Caribbean people arrived at
Tilbury Docks,
Essex, in the UK, on the
Empire Windrush ship.
[ "Windrush: A landmark in the history of modern Britain", The History Press.] 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.
[McDowell, Linda. "How Caribbean Mirgrants Helped to Rebuild Britain". Windrush Stories, British Library, 4 October 2018.] According to the passenger lists, 802 of those on board the ship gave their last country of residence as somewhere in the Caribbean. In the aftermath of World War II, the UK had a labour shortage
and African-Caribbean migrants independently travelled to the United Kingdom to find work. These jobs included the production of steel, coal, iron, and food, and also jobs in the service sector, such as public transport and staffing the new National Health Service.
There is no record of the post-war Labour government (in power at the time of the arrival of the Empire Windrush) encouraging African-Caribbean migrants to settle in the United Kingdom. However, as citizens of the British Commonwealth, Caribbean people were considered British subjects, with the right to live and work in the UK, and were eligible to respond to advertised opportunities for citizens of Commonwealth countries. Later, there were direct recruitment drives in the Caribbean from some British Organisations, such as the one started in February 1956 by London transport, at the invitation of the government of Barbados, to fill shortages in entry-level roles.
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.
Campaign
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 Caribbean arrived in Britain.
[Vernon, Patrick (21 June 2013), "Why Windrush Day matters", British Future.][Vernon, Patrick (8 July 2015), "We need a Windrush Day to celebrate the migrant contribution to UK", Brixton Blog.] Vernon first launched a petition to this effect in 2013,
[ "Join calls to celebrate Windrush Day every year", Patrick Vernon website, 2013.][ "Why Windrush Day matters", Patrick Vernon website. 2013.] which was followed by a further campaign in 2018, at the height of the
Windrush scandal.
[ "Former Hackney councillor renews call for national Windrush Day", Hackney Citizen, 21 May 2018.][Kadrolli, Erenata (25 May 2018), "Petition launched to recognise Windrush Day", East London Lines.][Vernon, Patrick (29 May 2018), "The Reader: We should designate a day to celebrate the Windrush's arrival", Have Your Say, Evening Standard.] 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."
[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.][Badshah, Nadeem (18 June 2018), "UK makes Windrush Day official with £500k grant to support events", The Guardian.]
Observance
The purpose of Windrush Day is to encourage "communities across the country to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants",
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.
Government funding helps a variety of events and activities to take place, such as the day dance performances, exhibitions, and debate.
On Windrush Day 2021, a plaque was erected in memory of British immigrant rights activist Paulette Wilson, a member of the "Windrush generation"
On Windrush Day 2022, the National Windrush Monument was unveiled at Waterloo Station, London.
In 2025, Windrush Day was on Sunday, 22 June, with events taking place across the country.
External links
