Black - African American History Facts

A federal law went into effect banning the importation of new slaves into the United States on this date in 1808.

The Emancipation Proclamation was given on this date in 1863. President Abraham Lincoln "proclaimed" the freedom of all slaves.

Joseph Cinque and slaves who seized the slave ship Amistad and killed its captain and most of its crew were tried for murder and mutiny in New Haven, CT, beginning on this date in 1840. The court found that they had the right to resist slavery.

Congress enacted the first fugitive slave law on this date in 1793. This law made it illegal to harbor slaves or to perform any actions preventing their arrests.

The Supreme Court agreed with a circuit court of appeals' decision to uphold a not guilty verdict for murder and mutiny on the Amistad slaveship on this date in 1841. Joseph Cinque and others were represented by former President John Q. Adams (their 3rd trial).

Norbert Rillieux, inventor who patented the Evaporating Pan, a device that reduced some of the dangerous labor slaves performed for the sugar-refining industry, was born in New Orleans, LA, on this date in 1806.

The American Heritage magazine published the oldest identifiable photographs of African slaves on this date in 1977.

Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, author, and engineer of the Underground Railroad, led Union Army guerillas into South Carolina and freed nearly 800 slaves on this date in 1863. Tubman was the first woman in U.S. history to command an armed military raid.

Pennsylvania passed a law that prevented the importation of slaves into the colony by imposing a tax on any new slaves on this date in 1712.

Juneteenth is celebrated by many Blacks on this date annually. It marks the day in 1865 when slaves in south Texas first heard news about the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two years after their freedom had been proclaimed.

In one of the most famous slave revolts ever, Joseph Cinque and over 50 slaves seized the slave ship Amistad and killed its captain and most of its crew on this date in 1839.

Congress passed the Second Confiscation Act on this date in 1862. This Act was designed to free the slaves from all rebels. Congress also authorized the President to accept blacks into military service.

Slavery was outlawed in British colonies on this date in 1834. Over 700,000 slaves were freed.

Congress passed the Confiscation Act on this date in 1861. This Act allowed property of rebel slaveholders, including slaves, to be appropriated.

The Dutch brought twenty-four slaves to the Jamestown colony on this date in 1619. They were the first blacks that were forcibly settled on this continent to work involuntarily.

Nat Turner, revolutionary freedom-fighter, began his famous slave revolt in Southampton County, VA, on this date in 1831. During the three-day revolt, Turner and other slaves killed around 60 whites.

Slaves in the Northern Providence initiated the Haitian Revolution on this date in 1791.

Joseph Cinque and slaves who seized the slave ship Amistad and killed its captain and most of its crew, were taken into custody as the ship anchored at Culloden Point off Long Island, NY, on or around this date in 1839.

Gabriel Prosser and Jack Bowler assembled over 1,000 slaves to march on Richmond, VA, on this date in 1800. A storm, however, forced them to put the plan on hold in this early attempt at mass-action.

The American Missionary Association was founded for the purpose of educating and training slaves on this date in 1846.

Slaves in Gloucester County, VA, staged one of the first documented slave rebellions on this date in 1663.

In the case of Joseph Cinque and over 50 other slaves' attempt to free themselves from the slave ship Amistad, a Circuit Court of Appeals upheld their not guilty verdict of murder and mutiny on this date in 1840.

President Abraham Lincoln, on this date in 1862, warned he would issue the Emancipation Proclamation, proclaiming the freedom of all slaves, unless the Confederate states returned to the Union by the New Year.

The Secretary of Navy authorized the enlistment of slaves as Union sailors on this date in 1861.

Gabriel Prosser, co-assembler of over 1,000 slaves with plans to march on and seize Richmond, VA, was hanged on this date in 1800. Two slaves became frightened and revealed their plans.

Nat Turner, revolutionary freedom-fighter and leader of a slave revolt in Southampton County, VA, was captured on this date in 1831. During his three-day revolt, Turner and other slaves killed nearly 60 whites.

Madison Washington led slaves aboard the slave ship Creole in a successful revolt on this date in 1841. They forced the captain and crew to take them to Nassau, Bahamas, where they were given asylum and gained their freedom.

The Fairfax Resolve was signed by President George Washington on this date in 1774. This Act was proposed to end the importation and exportation of slaves. Interestingly enough, Washington was himself a slave owner.

Norbert Rillieux, inventor, patented the Evaporating Pan on this date in 1846. This device reduced some of the dangerous labor slaves performed for the sugar-refining industry.

An act was passed in New York that encouraged the baptism of slaves on this date in 1706. The act did not, however, free any slaves.