Today is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
It's also the anniversary of the Haitian Revolution, when slaves in Haiti rebelled against French colonial rule.
Now widely seen as a defining moment in the history of the Atlantic world, the revolution began in August 1791 and saw the abolition of slavery in Haiti two years later.
Toussaint Louverture soon emerged as the figurehead of the revolution. Born a slave, Louverture became a general during the revolution and fought for the independence of his people. He is now known as the Father of Haiti.
Today we remember the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, but we also celebrate the radicals who fought against it and dedicated their lives to its abolition.
#haiti#slavetrade#abolition#slavery#toussaintlouverture#haitianrevolution#slave#louverture#toussaint#revolution#revolt#insurrection
On this day in history, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831.
Here's a contemporary engraving of Turner conspiring with his fellow slaves.
Having enlisted more than 70 slaves, Turner led his rebels from house to house, freeing enslaved people and killing many of the white people they encountered.
Turner had hoped that the violence would show white people the inherent brutality in the slave trade.
But within just three days the rebellion was suppressed by the state militia, and over 150 black people were killed – most of whom were not involved in the rebellion.
Turner himself eluded capture for six weeks, but he was soon discovered nearby, hiding among the local Nottoway people.
Arrested and trialled, Turner was sentenced to death in 1831. His body was then dissected and flayed, his skin being used to make purses as souvenirs.
Turner’s rebellion may not have succeeded, but his example inspired countless black revolutionaries who followed in his footsteps, from Harriet Tubman to Malcolm X.
In fact, less than 30 years after Turner’s rebellion, John Brown and Harriet Tubman led another rebellion in Virginia, raiding the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.
#natturner#turner#rebellion#slaverebellion#insurrection#southamptoninsurrection#slavery#slavetrade#trade#slaves#violence#johnbrown#harpersferry#harriettubman#tubman#malcolmx