People, Locations, Episodes

Abolitionism in South America, a story

*Abolitionism in South America is celebrated on this date in 1500. The Valladolid debate (1550–1551) was the first moral debate in European history to discuss the rights and treatment of indigenous people by European colonizers. Held in the Colegio de San Gregorio, in the Spanish city of Valladolid, it was a moral and theological debate about the […]

Jacques Francis, Slave Diver, and Trial Witness born

*This date in 1527 is celebrated as the birth date of Jacques Francis, A Black British slave salvage diver. Francis was from Arguin Island, Mauritania. However, records at the time described him as a “Guinea diver” and exceptionally talented. He had been working for Piero Corsi on a 1546 salvage attempt of the Mary Rose, […]

El Yanga, African Abolitionist born

The birth of El Yanga in circa 1545 is celebrated on this date. He was an African abolitionist and a leader of a slave rebellion in Mexico during the early period of Spanish colonial rule.

Gaspar Yanga, often called Yanga, El Yanga, or Nyanga, was said to be a member of the royal family of Gabon, Africa, before being kidnapped and placed in the Middle Passage to the new world. Yanga came to be the head of a group of slaves who were revolting near Vera Cruz, Mexico, around 1570. Escaping to the highland terrain, he and his people built a small, free colony.

Zumbi, Afro Brazilian Abolitionist born

The life of Zumbi in 1655 is celebrated on this date. He was an Afro Brazilian abolitionist and soldier.

Abolitionists in the United States of America, a story

*On this date, in 1688, the Registry shares an article on Abolitionists and the formal beginning of organized group Abolitionism in America.  This movement sought to end slavery in the United States and was active both before and during the American Civil War. In the Americas and Western Europe, abolitionism was a movement that sought to end the Middle Passage (Atlantic […]

Anthony Benezet, Abolitionist born

*Anthony Benezet was born on this date in 1713. He was a white-French American abolitionist from St. Quentin, northern France, and a member of a family of Huguenots (French Protestants).   In 1715, when Benezet was two years old, they immigrated to London, where he was educated. In 1731, at age 17, Benezet and his […]

Crispus Attucks, American Patriot born

On this date in 1723, we celebrate the birth of Crispus Attucks. He was a Black merchant and patriot.

Little is known about the early years of Attucks. He was born a slave around in the (then) colony of Massachusetts. His father, Prince Yonger, was African and his mother, Nancy Attucks, was an Indian and possible descendant of John Attucks, a member of the Natick Indian tribe. John Attucks was executed for treason in 1676 during the King Philip War. The word “attuck” in the Natick language means deer.

The St. John’s Slave Rebellion Occurs

On this date in 1733, one of the first successful African slave rebellions took place.

Enslaved Africans on the island of St. John (today a part of the United States Virgin Islands) defeated the Danish army, taking over the island and flying their own flag.

The insurrection, the first successful one in the New World, lasted six months; the Africans finally were defeated by troops sent by other European colonies in the region as reinforcements for the defeated Danish troops.

Fort Mose (Florida) is Founded

*The founding of Fort Mose occurred on this date in 1738. Fort Mose is the site of the first free African settlement in the United States.

It is also one of the original sites on the southern route of the Underground Railroad. Colonial Spanish Florida’s Governor Manuel Montiano established the Fort. Fort Mose gave sanctuary to Africans challenging enslavement in the English Colony of Carolina. Approximately 100 Africans lived at Fort Mose, forming more than 20 households.

Elizabeth Freeman, Abolitionist born

*Elizabeth Freeman’s birth in 1742 is celebrated on this date. She was a Black slave and abolitionist.

She was born to enslaved African parents in Claverack, New York. At the age of six months she was purchased, along with her sister, by John Ashley of Sheffield, Massachusetts, whom she served until she was nearly forty. By then she was known as “Mum Bett,” and had a young daughter known as “Little Bett.” Her husband had been killed while fighting in the Revolutionary War.

Benjamin Rush, Diplomat born

*Benjamin Rush was born on this date in 1746. He was a white-American abolitionist, physician, and diplomat. His interpretation of white privilege of race has raised many ethical questions.   The fourth of John and Susanna (Hall) Rush’s seven children, he was raised and spent most of his life in Philadelphia. His mother, a Presbyterian, first […]

Jonathan Strong, Slave and Plaintiff born.

*The birth of Jonathan Strong is celebrated on this date in c. 1747. He was a Black slave and plaintiff in one of the earliest legal cases relating to slavery in Britain and the British abolitionist movement. It is unknown where Strong was born, but he was brought to Britain from the British colony of Barbados […]

Anders Sparrman, Naturalist, and Abolitionist born

*Anders Sparrman was born on this date in 1748. He was a white Swedish naturalist, abolitionist, and apostle of Carl Linnaeus.  Sparrman was from Tensta, Uppland, and was the son of a clergyman. At nine, he enrolled at Uppsala University, beginning medical studies at fourteen and becoming one of the outstanding pupils of Linnaeus. In 1765, […]

Paul Cuffee, Merchant, and Philanthropist born

*Paul Cuffe was born on this date in 1759. He was an Black philanthropist, merchant, sea captain and abolitionist.

Thomas Clarkson, Abolitionist born

*The birth of Thomas Clarkson in 1760 is celebrated on this date. He was a white-European abolitionist against slavery.