Today In Black History
The Fugitive Slave Act
Issue #452 Black History Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Welcome to this Today in Black History post. Black History IS American History, no matter how hard some people try to erase our history and contributions.
A lot of this information is available at yenoba.com, blackfacts.com, and onthisday.com.
This post is free to read/listen to for two days. To have 365 24/7 access to all our posts and podcast episodes and financially support “We Are Speaking” for no more than $5 per month, please subscribe at the paid level.
Are you an independent author or creative professional looking for a place where you can tackle those branding and marketing challenges and learn with me through valuable books and online courses? The Global Creative Community Branding and Marketing Academy (GCC BMA) is for you!
Today’s Black WOW!
The Fugitive Slave Act was a law passed by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850. The act allowed slave owners to capture and reclaim any escaped slaves in free states and territories. It also required officials and citizens to assist in the capture and return of fugitive slaves. This law heightened tensions between the North and the South and contributed to the growing conflict that eventually led to the American Civil War. The Fugitive Slave Act was widely criticized by abolitionists and played a significant role in shaping the abolitionist movement.
With the Fugitive Slave Act in place, the very sanctuary that the North had offered was being compromised. The act required citizens and officials to actively assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves, even if they were residing in free territories. This meant that freedom was no longer guaranteed for those who had managed to escape from the horrors of slavery.
One of the most notable cases that galvanized the anti-slavery movement was the case of Anthony Burns. In 1854, Burns, an escaped slave from Virginia, was apprehended in Boston and sentenced to be returned to his owner. The city erupted in protests, with thousands of citizens attempting to prevent Burns' return. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the resistance against the act gained momentum and served as a rallying cry for those fighting for the abolition of slavery.
The act fueled the growth of the abolitionist movement, pushing activists to find new ways to resist slavery and help escaped slaves. As the conflict between the North and the South escalated, the fight against slavery became increasingly intertwined with the larger struggle for the preservation of the Union.
The Civil War was about slavery, and the Fugitive Slave Act was eventually repealed by the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1865.
Today In Black History
- In 1848, George Boyer Vashon, the first Black person to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Oberlin College, became the first Black lawyer in the state of New York.
- In 1861, Florida seceded from the Union.
- In 1870, the Georgia Legislature reconvened to admit the elected Black representatives and state senators.
- In 1888, Black inventor A.B. Blackburn received a patent for a railway signal.
- In 1889, the Ivory Coast was declared a protectorate of France.
- In 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded.
- In 1967, Republican Senator Edward Brooke of Massachusetts became the first popularly elected African American in the U.S. Senate.
- In 1990, Marcelite J. Harris became the first Black female Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force.
- In 2022, African American poet Dr. Maya Angelou became the first Black woman to be depicted on the quarter coin.
The “Comments” feature has been disabled. Instead, let’s discuss these facts in our community on Substack Notes. You can also read other Substack publications without subscribing to them when you join Notes.