indrush Day commemorates the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush in Britain, with more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean on board – the ‘Windrush generation’.
This year’s Windrush Day is extra special as marks 75 years since the arrival of the Windrush, and there are many events honouring the occasion.
Each year, the date highlights the cultural and societal contributions made by the migrants from the Caribbean community that made Britain their home.
Aroud half a million people travelled to the UK after the Second World War, and they are remembered on Windrush Day.
The first Windrush Day was held on June 22 2018, in the same year an independent ‘Lessons Learned Review’ was published by Wendy Williams to advise the Home Office.
More people than ever before are supporting the Windrush Generation, to show sympathy with the hardships they have endured.
When is Windrush Day 2023?
Thursday June 22 is Windrush Day. This year the occasion is likely to be particularly special as it is the 75th anniversary of the ship’s arrival.
The day is aimed at celebrating the Windrush generation and their contributions to British society.
Who are the Windrush generation?
On June 22, 1948 – 75 years ago – several hundred people arrived from the Caribbean to live in Britain.
After World War Two, Caribbean people who had served in the British armed forces were encouraged to come to Britain and help to rebuild the UK.
Many boarded a ship called the HMT Empire Windrush.
The Carribean was, at the time, part of the British Commonwealth, allowing new arrivals the automatic right to live and work in the UK as British subjects.
It is estimated that around 500,000 people living in the UK are part of the Windrush Generation, who arrived between 1948 and 1971.
What happened during the Windrush scandal?
Many of the migrants who travelled from the Caribbean to the UK faced discrimination and racism in Britain.
In 2018 it emerged that the Conservative government had told some members of the Windrush generation they were living in Britain illegally.
Although many people had lived and worked in Britain for most of their lives, law changes required them to have official documents to have access to healthcare.
Some people who had lost their official documents or were unable to provide them were sent to immigration detention centres. At least 83 people were wrongfully deported.
The scandal led to the resignation of then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and prompted wider debate about British immigration and deportation policy which can be felt today with the Rwanda asylum seeker controversy.
What events are happening this year in London and the UK to mark the date?
DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson will be presenting a night of music at the Royal Albert Hall to mark Windrush Day, with performances from artists including Craig David, Beverley Knight, and R&B group Loose Ends.
The V&A museum is putting on a free exhibition and a series of events including a Historical and Hidden Caribbean Tour and an in conversation event with presenter Diane Louise Jordan.
At the Imperial War Museum, you can catch a whole afternoon of talks and performances, with the likes of journalist Kamal Ahmed, actor David Harewood, and writer Trevor Phillips. These interesting features will be hosted by actor Leonie Elliot, known for her role as Lucille Anderson in Call the Midwife.
Over at the Royal Maritime Museum, there is a range of both creative and historical events taking place, including expert talks exploring research around the vessels that carried people from the Caribbean to Britain, and a multi-school choir singing songs connected to Windrush and Caribbean.
For more options, take a look at our pick of London’s best Windrush 75 celebrations.
