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First record of slavery
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America's slave trade begins when the first American slave carrier, Desire, is built and launched in Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts is the first colony to legalize slavery.
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Virginia enacts a law of hereditary slavery meaning that a child born to an enslaved mother inherits her slave status.
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Connecticut assigns the punishment of whipping to any slaves who disturb the peace or assault whites.
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"Negro Act"
South Carolina passes the comprehensive "Negro Act," making it illegal for slaves to move abroad, assemble in groups, raise food, earn money, and learn to read English. Owners are permitted to kill rebellious slaves if necessary. -
Declaration of Independence
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, members of the Continental Congress sign the Declaration of Independence. -
Vermont free slaves
Vermont is the first of the thirteen colonies to abolish slavery and enfranchise all adult males. -
Mum Bett
Mum Bett and another Massachusetts slave successfully sue their master for freedom. -
Northwest Ordinnance
The Northwest Ordinance forbids slavery, except as criminal punishment, in the Northwest Territory (later Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin). Residents of the territory are required to return fugitive slaves. -
U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is officially adopted by the new nation when New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to ratify it. The document includes a fugitive slave clause and the "three-fifths" clause by which each slave is considered three-fifths of a person for the purposes of congressional representation and tax apportionment. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin, making cotton production more profitable. The market value of slaves increases as a result. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise forbids slavery in the Louisiana territory north of Missouri's Southern border. Under its terms, Maine is admitted to the Union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. -
The Liberator
William Lloyd Garrison founds THE LIBERATOR, an abolitionist newspaper. -
First Convention
New York City hosts the first National Anti-Slavery Society Convention.
