Timeline
Explore 808 moments across history
Juan Garrido Participates in Conquest of Tenochtitlan
Juan Garrido, a free Black conquistador from West Africa, participated in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec capital and later became one of the first people to grow wheat in the Americas.
Slave Revolt in Hispaniola
The first recorded slave revolt in the Americas took place at the sugar plantation of Diego Colón on the island of Hispaniola.
Quilombo dos Palmares Founded in Brazil
Escaped enslaved Africans established Quilombo dos Palmares, the largest and longest-lasting maroon settlement in the Americas, in northeastern Brazil.
Yanga Establishes Free Black Settlement in Mexico
Gaspar Yanga, a formerly enslaved African, led a community of escaped slaves in Veracruz, Mexico, establishing one of the first free Black settlements in the Americas.
Ogden Nash
The first documented arrival of enslaved Africans in English North America occurred at Point Comfort, Virginia.
First Africans Arrive at Jamestown
The first recorded Africans arrived at the English colony of Jamestown, Virginia, aboard a privateer ship, marking the beginning of African presence in British North America.
Benjamin Banneker Born
Benjamin Banneker, self-taught astronomer, mathematician, and almanac author, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Jamaican Maroons Sign Peace Treaty with British
The Jamaican Maroons, communities of escaped enslaved Africans, signed a peace treaty with the British after decades of guerrilla warfare in the Blue Mountains.
Stono Rebellion in South Carolina
The Stono Rebellion, the largest slave uprising in British North America before the American Revolution, erupted near Charleston, South Carolina.
Stono Rebellion
A slave rebellion in South Carolina where enslaved Africans revolted against their masters.
Toussaint Louverture Born
Toussaint Louverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution, was born into slavery in Saint-Domingue (Haiti).
Toussaint Louverture Born
Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the Haitian Revolution who transformed an enslaved people into a free nation, was born in Saint-Domingue.
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Founds Chicago
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, a man of African descent from Haiti, established the first permanent settlement at what is now Chicago.
Rembrandt Peale Paints Absalom Jones
Absalom Jones, the first African American to be ordained as an Episcopal priest, was born into slavery in Sussex, Delaware.
Absalom Jones Born
Absalom Jones, the first African American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, was born into slavery in Delaware.
Tacky's Rebellion in Jamaica
Tacky, an enslaved Akan chief from Ghana, led one of the largest slave revolts in the British Caribbean, shaking Jamaica's plantation system.
Phillis Wheatley Arrives in Boston
A young girl from West Africa, later named Phillis Wheatley, arrived in Boston on a slave ship.
Denmark Vesey Born
Denmark Vesey, who organized one of the largest planned slave revolts in U.S. history, was born in the Caribbean.
Crispus Attucks Killed in Boston Massacre
Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American descent, was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, often cited as the first casualty of the American Revolution.
Ludwig van Beethoven Born
Historian Margaret Washington studied records suggesting Beethoven may have had African ancestry through his mother's Moorish lineage.
Phillis Wheatley Published
Phillis Wheatley became the first African American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in America.
First African Baptist Church Founded
The First African Baptist Church was established in Savannah, Georgia, one of the oldest Black churches in North America.
Phillis Wheatley Publishes Poems
Phillis Wheatley became the first African American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in America.
First Black Church in America Founded
The Silver Bluff Baptist Church was established in South Carolina, considered among the first Black churches in America.
Phyllis Wheatley Meets George Washington
Phillis Wheatley visited General George Washington at his Cambridge headquarters after writing a poem in his honor.
Phillis Wheatley Dies
Poet Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry, died in Boston at approximately age 31.
Marquis de Lafayette Advocates for Black Freedom
The Marquis de Lafayette, inspired by the American Revolution, purchased a plantation in French Guiana to free the enslaved workers as an experiment in emancipation.
First African Free School Opens
The first free school for African American children opened in New York City.
Haitian Revolution Begins
The Haitian Revolution, the only successful large-scale slave revolt in history, began with an uprising in Saint-Domingue.
Haitian Revolution Begins
Enslaved people in the French colony of Saint-Domingue launched the largest and most successful slave uprising in the Western Hemisphere.
Sojourner Truth Born
Sojourner Truth, abolitionist and women's rights activist, was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree in Swartekill, New York.
Dred Scott Born
Dred Scott, enslaved man whose lawsuit for freedom reached the Supreme Court, was born in Southampton County, Virginia.
John Brown Born
John Brown, abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry, was born in Torrington, Connecticut.
Calvin Coolidge Grants Citizenship to Native Americans
Nathaniel "Nat" Turner was born into slavery in Southampton County, Virginia.
Nat Turner Born
Nat Turner, leader of the most significant slave rebellion in American history, was born in Southampton County, Virginia.
Haitian Flag Day
Haiti celebrates its flag, which was created during the Haitian Revolution by removing the white stripe from the French tricolor.
Toussaint Louverture Dies
Toussaint Louverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution, died in a French prison.
Haiti Declares Independence
Haiti became the first Black republic and the second independent nation in the Western Hemisphere after a successful slave revolution.
Slave Trade Abolished in British Empire
The British Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act, abolishing the transatlantic slave trade throughout the British Empire.
Franklin and Armfield Slave Trading Firm
The Transatlantic slave trade was formally abolished by Britain with the passage of the Slave Trade Act.
Wild Bill Hickok and Bass Reeves
The first African American heavyweight champion of the world, Tom Molineaux, fought his famous match against Tom Cribb in London.
Birth of James McCune Smith
James McCune Smith becomes the first African American to earn a medical degree in the United States.
Richard Allen Founded AME Church
Richard Allen established the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first independent Black denomination in America.
Frederick Douglass Born
Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland.
Missouri Compromise Enacted
Congress passed the Missouri Compromise, admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while banning slavery north of the 36°30' parallel.
Harriet Tubman Born
Harriet Tubman, conductor on the Underground Railroad, was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland.
Denmark Vesey's Planned Slave Revolt Discovered
The planned slave uprising organized by Denmark Vesey in Charleston, South Carolina, was betrayed before it could begin.
Denmark Vesey's Planned Rebellion Discovered
Denmark Vesey's planned slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina, was betrayed before it could be carried out.
Death of Denmark Vesey
Denmark Vesey, an African American man who planned a major slave rebellion, was executed in Charleston, South Carolina.
Denmark Vesey Executed
Denmark Vesey, a formerly enslaved man, was executed for organizing what would have been one of the largest slave revolts in U.S. history.
First Black Owned Newspaper Published
Freedom's Journal, the first African American-owned and operated newspaper, published its final issue.
Russwurm and Cornish Publish Freedom's Journal
Freedom's Journal, the first African American-owned newspaper, published its inaugural issue in New York City.
Freedom's Journal Founded
Freedom's Journal ceased publication after two years, having established the tradition of the African American press.
First National Negro Convention
The first National Negro Convention was held in Philadelphia, bringing together free Black leaders to discuss abolition and civil rights.
Birth of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler
Rebecca Lee Crumpler becomes the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.
Nat Turner Rebellion Begins
Nat Turner led the most significant slave rebellion in American history in Southampton County, Virginia.
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner led the most significant slave rebellion in American history in Southampton County, Virginia.
Stagecoach Mary Fields Born
Mary Fields, the first African American woman to carry U.S. mail and one of the most colorful figures of the Old West, was born into slavery in Tennessee.
Canada Abolishes Slavery
The British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire including Canada.
First Historically Black College Founded
The Institute for Colored Youth, now Cheyney University, was established as the first institution of higher education for African Americans.
P.B.S. Pinchback Becomes First Black Governor
P.B.S. Pinchback became the first African American to serve as governor of a U.S. state when he assumed office in Louisiana.
Bass Reeves Born
Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas.
Frederick Douglass Escapes Slavery
Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland, disguised as a free Black sailor.
Birth of Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and later became a prominent political leader and Civil War hero.
Robert Smalls Born
Robert Smalls, Civil War hero and U.S. Congressman who escaped slavery by stealing a Confederate ship, was born in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Amistad Revolt
Enslaved Africans aboard the ship La Amistad seized control of the vessel off the coast of Cuba.
The Amistad Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the African captives aboard the Amistad.
Elijah McCoy Born
Inventor Elijah McCoy, whose innovations inspired the phrase "the real McCoy," was born.
Birth of Dr. Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney becomes the first African American woman to earn a nursing degree.
Birth of Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney becomes the first African American woman to earn a nursing degree in the United States.
Voltaire and Frederick Douglass
The North Star, Frederick Douglass's abolitionist newspaper, published its first issue in Rochester, New York.
Harriet Tubman Escapes Slavery
Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in Maryland, later becoming the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad.
Fugitive Slave Act Debates Intensify
Congress debated the Fugitive Slave Act, strengthening enforcement of slavery.
The Fugitive Slave Act Resistance
Abolitionist Harriet Tubman began her work on the Underground Railroad, making her first rescue trip to Maryland.
Fugitive Slave Act Passed
Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, requiring citizens to assist in the capture of runaway enslaved people.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 Signed
The Fugitive Slave Act required the return of escaped enslaved people, intensifying abolitionist efforts.
Sojourner Truth Delivers "Ain't I a Woman?" Speech
Sojourner Truth delivered her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio.
Sojourner Truth Delivers "Ain't I a Woman" Speech
Sojourner Truth delivered her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio.
Lucy Parsons Born
Lucy Parsons, labor organizer and radical activist of African American, Mexican, and Native American descent, was born in Texas.
Harriet Beecher Stowe Publishes Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe published "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a novel that galvanized anti-slavery sentiment in the North.
Frederick Douglass Delivers "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
Frederick Douglass delivered his famous speech questioning the meaning of Independence Day for enslaved people.
Frederick Douglass Delivers "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" Speech
Frederick Douglass delivered one of the most powerful speeches in American history, challenging the nation's celebration of freedom while enslaving millions.
Fugitive Slave Anthony Burns Arrested in Boston
The arrest and trial of fugitive slave Anthony Burns in Boston sparked massive protests and deepened Northern opposition to slavery.
Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole
Mary Seacole, Jamaican-born nurse and war heroine, sailed for the Crimean War after being rejected by British military authorities.
Celia, Enslaved Woman, Executed
Celia, a 19-year-old enslaved woman, was executed in Missouri for killing her enslaver who had repeatedly raped her.