Midtown East in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Ark of Return

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

1. Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Marker, Mkr. 1

Inscription.

Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Ark of Return. , The United Nations General Assembly welcomed the initiative of Member States of the Caribbean Community and the African Union to erect this Permanent Memorial to honour the victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and to educate and inform current and future generations about the causes, consequences and lessons of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The Permanent Memorial Committee, comprising Brazi, Ghana, Jamaica (Chair, Kenya, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Senegal, Suriname, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with Member States from the Caribbean Community and the African Union playing a primary role, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the United Nations Department for Public Information and the Sub-Committee for the Elimination of Racism of the NGO Committee on Human Rights, completed this Permanent Memorial on 25 March 2015.,

"Acknowledge the Tragedy, Consider the Legacy, Lest We Forget"

, These three distinct phrases form the inspiration for the design of this Permanent Memorial. "The Ark of Return'" memorial is a sacred space that is designed to psychologically and spiritually transport visitors to a place where acknowledgement, education, reflection and healing can take place. The Memorial's exterior form is constructed to reflect the image of a vessel or ship in acknowledgement of the millions of African people transported on slave ships to different parts of the world during the "Middle Passage." Images of maps depicting the "Triangular Slave Trade" influenced the use of the triangle as a primary element in designing the Memorial's shape. The Memorial is also conceptually organized to allow visitors to pass through "The Ark of Return" to intimately experience three primary elements on the interior space. The first element is a three dimensional map inscribed on the interior of the Memorial. This map graphically depicts the global scale, complexity and impact of the triangular slave trade in "acknowledgement of the tragedy." The second element is a full scale human figure lying horizontally in front of a wall inscribed with images of the interior of a slave ship. This is meant to communicate and educate visitors on the physical conditions endured by the millions of African people transported under extreme conditions during the middle passage. Visitors are provided the opportunity to seriously "consider the legacy" of Slavery's impact upon humanity. The third element is a triangular reflecting pool which introduces water in a meditative, ritualistic and spiritual manner. Visitors are invited to pour libations or say a prayer in memory of the millions of souls that were lost "lest we forget" this monumental and historic tragedy., On this day, 25 March 2015 at the United Nations in New York City, the President of the Sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations unveiled this Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Director-General of UNESCO, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica and Chair of the Permanent Memorial Committee, the Permanent Observer of the African Union, the Permanent Representative of India, and the Architect and Designer of the Permanent Memorial. The Permanent Memorial Committee expresses its deep appreciation to all Member States, institutions, foundations, organizations and individuals who have contributed to this Memorial.(), New York, 25 March 2015, ()Non-exhaustive list of Member States and organisations that have contributed funds to the construction of the Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade:, Afghanistan; Algeria; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Barbados; Belgium; Belize; Bhutan; Botswana; Brazil; Burkina Foso; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; China; Congo; Costa Rica; Cyprus; Denmark; Ecuador; Egypt: Equatorial Guinea; Estonia: Finland: Georgia: Germany; Ghana: Greece; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Iceland; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Jamaica: Japan, Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kuwait; Libya; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Monaco; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique (on behalf of Southern African Development Community Group of Ambassador: Namibia; Netherlands: New Zealand; Nicaragua; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Philippines: Portugal; Qatar; Republic of Korea; Saint Kits and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Singapore; Slovenia; South Africa; Spain; Sri Lanka: Sudan: Suriname: Sweden: Syrian Arab Republic: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Togo; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Uganda: United Arab Emirates: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; United Republic of Tanzania: United States of America: Uruguay; Martinique: The Alexander Charitable Trust (San Marino): Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation (Laivia); Ford Foundation; Rush Communications; United Nations Federal Credit Union and individuals around the world., Cape Verde Islands . St-Louis . Gorée . Portudal . Albreda . Casamance . Cacheu . Bissau . Bissagos . Rio Nunez . Rio Pongo . Bunce Island . Banana Islands . Sherbro . Galinhas . Mano . Grand Cape Mount . Cape Mesurado . Grand Bassa . Cestos River . Côte de Malaguette . Bassa . Grand Cess . Tabou . Sassandra . Lahou . Grand-Bassam . Assini River . Elmina . Cape Coast Castle . Anomabu . Kormantine . Apammin . Winneba . Accra . Christiansborg . Keia . Agone . Little Popo . Great Popo . Ovidah . Offra . Jakin . Portonovo . Badagry . Lagos . Ekpe . Benin . New Calabar . Bonny . Old Calabar . Loango . Malemho . Cabinda . Ambriz . Luanda . Benguela . St. Helena . Cape Town . Lourenco Marques . Inhambane . Quilimane . Mozambique . Mahajanga . Kilwa . Zanzibar

The United Nations General Assembly welcomed the initiative of Member States of the Caribbean Community and the African Union to erect this Permanent Memorial to honour the victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and to educate and inform current and future generations about the causes, consequences and lessons of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The Permanent Memorial Committee, comprising Brazi, Ghana, Jamaica (Chair, Kenya, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Senegal, Suriname, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with Member States from the Caribbean Community and the African Union playing a primary role, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the United Nations Department for Public Information and the Sub-Committee for the Elimination of Racism of the NGO Committee on Human Rights, completed this Permanent Memorial on 25 March 2015.

"Acknowledge the Tragedy, Consider the Legacy, Lest We Forget"

These three distinct phrases form the inspiration for the design of this Permanent Memorial. "The Ark of Return'" memorial is a sacred space that is designed to psychologically and spiritually transport visitors to a place where acknowledgement, education, reflection and healing can take place. The Memorial's exterior form is constructed to reflect the image of a vessel or ship in acknowledgement of the millions of African people transported on slave ships to different parts of the world during the "Middle Passage." Images of maps depicting the "Triangular Slave Trade" influenced the use of the triangle as a primary element in designing the Memorial's shape. The Memorial is also conceptually organized to allow visitors to pass through "The Ark of Return" to intimately experience three primary elements on the interior space. The first element is a three dimensional map inscribed on the interior of the Memorial. This map graphically depicts the global scale, complexity and impact of the triangular slave trade in "acknowledgement of the tragedy." The second element is a full scale human figure lying horizontally in front of a wall inscribed with images of the interior of a slave ship. This is meant to communicate and educate visitors on the physical conditions endured by the millions of African people transported under extreme conditions during the middle passage. Visitors are provided the opportunity to seriously "consider the legacy" of Slavery's impact upon humanity. The third element is a triangular reflecting pool which introduces water in a meditative, ritualistic and spiritual manner. Visitors are invited to pour libations or say a prayer in memory of the millions of souls that were lost "lest we forget" this monumental and historic tragedy.

On this day, 25 March 2015 at the United Nations in New York City, the President of the Sixty-ninth Session of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations unveiled this Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Director-General of UNESCO, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica and Chair of the Permanent Memorial Committee, the Permanent Observer of the African Union, the Permanent Representative of India, and the Architect and Designer of the Permanent Memorial. The Permanent Memorial Committee expresses its deep appreciation to all Member States, institutions, foundations, organizations and individuals who have contributed to this Memorial.(*)

New York, 25 March 2015

(*)Non-exhaustive list of Member States and organisations that have contributed funds to the construction of the Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade:

Afghanistan; Algeria; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Barbados; Belgium; Belize; Bhutan; Botswana; Brazil; Burkina Foso; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; China; Congo; Costa Rica; Cyprus; Denmark; Ecuador; Egypt: Equatorial Guinea; Estonia: Finland: Georgia: Germany; Ghana: Greece; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Iceland; India; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Jamaica: Japan, Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kuwait; Libya; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Monaco; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique (on behalf of Southern African Development Community Group of Ambassador: Namibia; Netherlands: New Zealand; Nicaragua; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Philippines: Portugal; Qatar; Republic of Korea; Saint Kits and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Singapore; Slovenia; South Africa; Spain; Sri Lanka: Sudan: Suriname: Sweden: Syrian Arab Republic: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Togo; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Uganda: United Arab Emirates: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; United Republic of Tanzania: United States of America: Uruguay; Martinique: The Alexander Charitable Trust (San Marino): Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation (Laivia); Ford Foundation; Rush Communications; United Nations Federal Credit Union and individuals around the world.

Cape Verde Islands • St-Louis • Gorée • Portudal • Albreda • Casamance • Cacheu • Bissau • Bissagos • Rio Nunez • Rio Pongo • Bunce Island • Banana Islands • Sherbro • Galinhas • Mano • Grand Cape Mount • Cape Mesurado • Grand Bassa • Cestos River • Côte de Malaguette • Bassa • Grand Cess • Tabou • Sassandra • Lahou • Grand-Bassam • Assini River • Elmina • Cape Coast Castle • Anomabu • Kormantine • Apammin • Winneba • Accra • Christiansborg • Keia • Agone • Little Popo • Great Popo • Ovidah • Offra • Jakin • Portonovo • Badagry • Lagos • Ekpe • Benin • New Calabar • Bonny • Old Calabar • Loango • Malemho • Cabinda • Ambriz • Luanda • Benguela • St. Helena • Cape Town • Lourenco Marques • Inhambane • Quilimane • Mozambique • Mahajanga • Kilwa • Zanzibar

Erected 2015

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by United Nations General Assembly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1619.

Location. 40° 45.027′ N, 73° 58.016′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Midtown East. It can be reached from the intersection of 1st Avenue and East 45th Street, on the right when traveling north. The memorial stands on the United Nations Visitors Plaza. Entry requires registration for a United Nations tour and security check. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 1st Avenue, New York NY 10017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Marker, Mkr. 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

2. Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Marker, Mkr. 2

this marker: Raoul Wallenberg Monument (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Non-Violence (about 500 feet away); Peace Form One (approx. 0.2 miles away); Japan Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Papal Visits (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tudor City Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Ferguson McKean (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bayard Rustin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Katharine Hepburn Garden (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker.
The memorial's title, the "Ark of Return," was chosen to deliberately contrast with the "Door of No Return," through which enslaved Africans left from Senegal for the Americas. The Door of No Return is located in the House of Slaves, a museum and memorial on Gorée Island which lies nearly 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from The Ark of Return. It is a vivid reminder of one of the most horrific tragedies of history.

Its location is on the United Nations Visitors Plaza overlooking the East River, which leads into the Atlantic Ocean.

Regarding Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
In

Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Marker, Mkr. 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

3. Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Marker, Mkr. 3

2007, the United Nations General Assembly welcomed the proposal by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union (AU) to erect a memorial. On 25 March 2015, The Ark of Return, a Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations, was unveiled at United Nations Headquarters in New York to honour the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and invite visitors to contemplate the slave trade's legacy.

Also see . . .
1. United Nations - Visitor Services - New York. <blockquote>All visitors to the United Nations Headquarters must register on the United Nations Security website prior to their arrival. (Submitted on May 1, 2026.)

2. United Nations - Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery - The Ark of Return. Background and videos about the memorial.<blockquote>Over four centuries, more than 18 million people were forcefully removed from Africa to the Americas (including the Caribbean) and Europe.

For those who survived the horrific middle passage, thousands of them would later perish as a result of the cruel and

In the United Nations Visitors Plaza overlooking the East River, which leads into the Atlantic Ocean image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

4. In the United Nations Visitors Plaza overlooking the East River, which leads into the Atlantic Ocean

inhumane treatment meted out to them and from the appalling conditions in which they had to exist on the plantations. (Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

3. United Nations Slavery Memorial. Wikipedia page.

The memorial's name is drawn from the castle on the island of Gorée, Senegal, where enslaved people were held before being shipped across the ocean. One of the exits of the castle is known as "the door of no return". The memorial is meant to serve as "a spiritual place of return".

The structure, which is meant to evoke the shape of a slave ship ...

(Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

4. Contemporary Monuments to the Slave Past. Grant-funded website to educate about slavery in the global monument landscape.

Excerpt from "Statement of Principles" -- We are dedicated to using the digital repository to highlight the ways in which diverse communities and artists are in conversation about the difficult histories and legacies of slavery, and about how to best memorialize slavery in the monument landscape.

(Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

Additional keywords. human trafficking; enslaved labor

"Acknowledge the Tragedy" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

5. "Acknowledge the Tragedy"

"Consider the Legacy" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

6. "Consider the Legacy"

"Lest we forget" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

7. "Lest we forget"

Engraved within the Ark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

8. Engraved within the Ark

Artwork on the United Nations Visitors Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, April 24, 2026

9. Artwork on the United Nations Visitors Plaza

#UNGA - United Nations General Assembly

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 1, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 27, 2026, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.