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Second Continental Congress Ends Slave Trade
The Second Continental Congress resolves "that no slaves be imported into any of the thirteen United Colonies." -
Declaration Ignores Slaves
The Declaration of Independence declares that "all men are created equal." It does not deal with slavery explicitly but contains a clause attacking the king for emancipating slaves and arming them to fight against the colonists. -
Vermont Outlaws Slavery
The Vermont state constitution outlaws slavery. -
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Gradual Emancipation in Massachussetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island
Pennsylvania adopts the first "gradual emancipation" law. Under this statute, no new slaves can be brought into the state, and the children of all existing slaves will be freed when they turn 28 (a far longer period of service than indentured servitude had required for whites). Slaves born before the passage of this act are condemned to a lifetime of servitude. Only those born after 4 July 1780 will be born free.
Connecticut & Rhode Island Follow in 1784