People, Locations, Episodes

Miguel de Castro v. Ninety-five enslaved Africans is Decided

On this date in 1819, Miguel de Castro v. Ninety-five enslaved Africans was decided. This was a Libel case for restitution case against American chattel slavery. In October 1817, ninety-five enslaved Africans were taken by pirates from the Portuguese ship “Jesu Nasareno,” owned by Miguel de Castro. Originally bound for Havana, Cuba, the Africans were […]

The Mayflower of Liberia Leaves New York For Africa

*On this date in 1820 the Mayflower of Liberia set sail. This was the first organized Black emigration back to Africa.

It began when 86 free Blacks left New York Harbor aboard the ship the Elizabeth, which was called the Mayflower of Liberia. They were bound for the British colony of Sierra Leone, a country that welcomed free Blacks from America as well as fugitive slaves. It arrived on March 9th of that year.

The Missouri Compromise Is Ratified

*The Missouri Compromise with legislative measures was enacted on this date in 1820. This measure allowed The United States Congress to thus regulate the extension of slavery in the United States for the next three decades.

The Citadel La Ferrière is Built

*On this date in 1820, the Citadel La Ferrière was completed.  Sometimes called the Citadelle it is a mountaintop fortress in Nord, Haiti.  Haitian King Henri Christophe ordered the construction beginning in 1805; the Citadel La Ferrière is located on top of the mountain Bonnet a L’Eveque.  It is one of the largest fortresses in […]

Costa Rica Gains Independence From Spain

*The Republic of Costa Rica gained independence from Spain on this date in 1821.  The first Blacks to arrive in Costa Rica came through the middle passage with the Spanish conquistadors. Beginning in the 15th century, the slave trade was common in all the countries conquered by Spain. Costa Rica’s first Blacks were shipped from […]

Monrovia, Liberia, is Founded

*On this date, in 1822, the city of Monrovia was founded. Monrovia is the capital city of Liberia, a West African country on the Atlantic coast. Early on, the area was called Ducor. The French cartographer and slave trader Chevalier des Marchais visited Ducor and the Cape in 1723, conducted business there, and later published a map […]

A Slave Revolt in South Carolina Occurs

On this date in 1822, Denmark Vesey led a slave rebellion in South Carolina.

The Whipping House (shown) was to the right of the jail, separated by a high brick wall and used against unruly slaves.

It was destroyed by an 1886 earthquake and never rebuilt.

Brazil Gains Independence From Portugal

*On this date in 1822, Brazil gained Independence from Portugal.   This episode comprised a series of political and military events from 1821–1824 involving disputes between Brazil and Portugal regarding the Brazilian Empire’s call for independence. Brazil was the first destination for building Portugal’s 15th-century slavery empire from Africa.   There are more Brazilians of African descent than in any other country outside […]

The Demerara Rebellion Begins

*The Demerara Rebellion of 1823 began on this date in 1823. This uprising involving about 12,000 African slaves took place in the British colony of Demerara-Essequibo in what is now Guyana. The rebellion took place a few months after the founding of the Anti-Slavery Society and had a substantial impact on Britain. Although public sentiment […]

Costa Rica Abolishes Slavery

*On this date in 1824, Costa Rica abolished slavery.

The Haitian Indemnity Ocurrs

*On this date in 1825, Haiti signed the Ordinance of King Charles X. Often called the Haiti Indemnity, this was a controversial agreement between Haiti and France where France demanded an indemnity of 150 million francs from Haiti in claims over property, including Haitian slaves. 1791, France lost colonial control of the island through the […]

Uruguay Gains Independence From Spain

*On this date, in 1825, Uruguay gained independence from Spain. Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in South America. Like many South American countries, the middle passage, race, and class issues motivated Uruguay’s quest for self-rule and independence. In 1811, José Gervasio Artigas, who became Uruguay’s national hero, launched a successful revolt […]

Ellen, and William Craft, Slaves Who Escaped to Freedom

The lives of Ellen and William Craft are celebrated on this date. They were two Black abolitionists who were known for William’s autobiographical slave narrative describing the couple’s dramatic escape from slavery.

The Oneida Institute Begins Classes

*The Oneida Institute opening is celebrated on this date in 1827.  They were a short-lived (16 years) but highly influential school that was a national leader in the (then) emerging anti-slavery movement.   George Washington Gale founded it as the Oneida Institute of Science and Industry.   His former teacher (in the Addison County Grammar School, Middlebury, John Frost, now a Presbyterian minister in Whitesboro […]

The Black Bottom Community (Detroit), a story

*The Black Bottom community is celebrated on this date in 1827. This was a predominantly Black neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, United States.   “Black Bottom” often references the African American community that developed in the twentieth century. Early white-French colonial settlers named the neighborhood. This area was the source of the River Savoyard, which was […]