Monday, February 3: The New York Slave Revolt of 1712
In 1712, a group of enslaved Africans rebelled against their conditions in New York City, setting fires and fighting back against authorities. The revolt was suppressed, but it underscored the harsh realities of slavery in the North, challenging the vision that slavery was solely a product of the Southern U.S.
Wednesday, February 5: The First Black-Owned Newspaper: Freedom’s Journal
Published by Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm in New York City in 1827, Freedom’s Journal was the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the U.S. It gave Black Americans a platform to voice their concerns and advocate for abolition in an era where their right to literacy was challenged.
Friday, February 7: The Boston Vigilance Committee
Operating from the 1840s to 1850s, the Boston Vigilance Committee was formed to help escaped enslaved individuals avoid capture under the Fugitive Slave Act. Members like Lewis Hayden risked their lives to protect freedom seekers, demonstrating a deep commitment by its members to the right to freedom regardless of risk.