People, Locations, Episodes

Thanksgiving and Black History, an article

*Thanksgiving, 1777, and African American history are briefly addressed on this date. That year, the turning point of America’s Revolutionary War occurred with victory over the British at Saratoga.  The Continental Congress delivered a decree for the 13 colonies to give thanks.  Black slaves also celebrated throughout the region; the tradition continued as a custom […]

Knight v. Wedderburn is Upheld

*On this date in 1778, the Justices of the Peace court in Perth Scotland ruled on the case of Knight v. Wedderburn. This Scottish slavery decision predated the very similar Dred Scott ruling in America.

An Act for The Gradual Abolition Of Slavery is Passed

*An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery passed on this date in 1780. Approved by the Fifth Pennsylvania General Assembly, it prescribed an end to slavery in Pennsylvania. It was the first Act abolishing American slavery in human history to be adopted by a democracy. The Act prohibited further importation of enslaved people into the state. […]

America’s Articles of Confederation Are Enacted

*The Articles of Confederation of the United States of America were enacted on this date in 1781. Formally called the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, it was an agreement that served as America’s first constitution after being ratified by all 13 states.  It was approved, between July 1776 and November 1777, by the Second […]

Black History, and the City of Los Angeles, a story

*On this date in 1781, the city of Los Angeles was founded. This episode is part of African American history and heritage.

The Zong Massacre Begins

*On this date, in 1781, the Zong massacre began.  This was a mass killing (at sea) of more than 130 enslaved Black Africans by the crew of the British slave ship Zong during the Middle Passage.  Owned by England, when the Zong sailed from Accra with 442 slaves on August 18, 1781, it had taken on […]

Brichtown, Nova Scotia is Established

On this date in 1783 Birchtown, Nova Scotia was established. This was one of the largest free Black settlements in North America in the 18th century.

Saint Barthélemy, Swedish Colony is Formed

*On this date, in 1784, the Swedish colony of Saint Barthélemy was formed. This was a Swedish colonial property during the Middle Passage and existed for nearly a century.   Following problems experienced by early French settlers, Saint Barthélemy was successfully colonized by French mariners in 1763. Attracted by the island’s prosperity during the American Revolutionary War, Gustav […]

The Free African Society is Founded

*The Free African Society (FAS) was founded on this date in 1787.  This benevolent organization held religious services and provided mutual aid for “free Africans and their descendants.”   FAS founding membership; all free Black men, including Samuel Baston, Joseph Johnson, Cato Freedman, Caesar Cranchell, James Potter, and William White.  Notable members included Black abolitionists such as Cyrus Bustill, James […]

The First Black Masonic Lodge in America is Organized

On this date in 1787, Prince Hall, a Revolutionary War veteran, organized the Negro Masonic Order in the United States African Lodge No. 459, in Boston.

This became the first Black self-help fraternal institution in the United States. His petition for the lodge was presented to the Grand Lodge of England in March 1784, but its implementation was delayed. These fraternal organizations were important to Blacks at the time; along with churches and schools, they constituted an important part of the self-help movement.

The Underground Railroad in America, a story

The Underground Railroad, the organization which helped escaped African slaves from the South on their journey to freedom in the North and Canada, begun in 1787, is celebrated on this date.

The Slave Trade Act of 1788 is Enacted

*On this date, 1788, the Slave Trade Act of 1788 was enacted. Also known as Dolben’s Act, it was an Act of Parliament that limited the number of people that British slave ships could transport based on tonnage.   It was the first British legislation passed to regulate slave shipping. In the late 18th century, […]

The Xhosa Wars Begin

*On this date in 1789, we affirm the Xhosa Wars. Also known as the Cape Frontier Wars or the Kaffir Wars, they were a series of nine wars or outbreaks between the Xhosa Kingdom and white European slave traders in what is now the Eastern Cape in South Africa. These war incidents were the longest-running military action […]

White Supremacy in America, an article

*White supremacy in America from this date, 1790, is written about.  This is the conviction that white people are superior to other races and should dominate them. The belief favors the maintenance and protection of white power and privilege. White supremacy has roots in the now-discredited doctrine of scientific racism.  It motivates contemporary movements, including […]

The Naturalization Act of 1790 is Passed

*On this date, in 1790, the Naturalization Act of 1790 was passed.  This law of the United States Congress set the first uniform rules for granting United States citizenship by naturalization. The law limited naturalization to “free white person[s] … of good character”.  It excluded Native Americans, indentured servants, Black slaves, free Blacks, and later […]