-
Jan 1, 1501
African slaves brought to New World
Spanish Settlers bring African Slaves to the New World -
Apr 2, 1513
De Leon's journey to La Florida
Free Africans Juan Garrido and Juan Gonzalez de Leon accompany Juan Ponce de Leon in his exploration of La florida -
Mar 1, 1526
Settlement in present-day Georgia
First enslaved Africans brought to North America by Lucas Vazquez de Allyon expedition; established settlement of San Miguel de Gualdape in present-day Georgia; this is the first European settlement in the geographic United States. -
Apr 14, 1528
600 people settle in Tampa Bay
Panfilo Narvaez attempts to settle area near present day Tampa Bay with 600 people, including slaves. Lack of supplies and hurricanes doom venture -
Jan 1, 1536
Four survivors discover Mexico City
Four survivors of the doomed Tampa Bay settlement end up in Mexico City after walking through wilderness for eight years. Estevenico, an African slave ensures their survival by learning to communicate with natives along the way. -
Nov 13, 1539
Hernando de Soto's exploration
Hernando de Soto explores Florida and much of the present-day southeastern United States with the aid of free and enslaved Africans. -
Sep 1, 1565
St. Augustine established in present U.S.
St. Augustine, the oldest permanent city in the USA, established by Spain. It is home to over 600 people, including 50 African slaves. Some of these slaves immdeiatley escape into the surrounding wilderness. -
Slaves given chance to convert in exchange for freedom
Spanish government in Florida grants freedom to all runaway slaves from English colonies to the north if slaves agree to convert to Roman Catholicism. -
Period: to
Slaves escape to Florida
Hundreds of slaves from Georgia and the Carolinas escape to Florida as a result of Spanish government's decision. -
Menendez agrees to defend Florida
Francisco Menendez, an escaped slave from the Carolinas, agrees to help defend Florida from the British in exchange for freedom. Establishes Fort Mose, the first free black settlement in the present-day USA, two miles north of St. Augustine. -
Invaders capture Fort Mose
English invaders capture Fort Mose; blacks and Spaniards recapture it. -
Spain trades Florida to English
Spain trades Florida to English in exchange for Havana, Cuba, which Spain had lost during the Seven Year's War; as a result, large rice and indigo plantations pop up along the St. John's river in East Florida; thousands of slaves are imported from Africa or brought south from other colonies.
