jul 1, 1839 - Amistad Uprising

Description:

A slave revolt on the slave ship La Amistad. 53 Mende slaves had been illegally taken from modern-day Sierra Lione and transported to Havana, Cuba (as the international slave trade had been banned by both the US and Great Britain). The slaves escaped from captivity, proceeding to kill a few members of the crew, including the captain. They demanded the navigator take them back to Africa, but were deceived and taken to Long Island, NY, where they were captured. In a Supreme Court ruling, it was determined that the slaves were captured illegally and that the rebellion was in self-defense.