may 10, 1740 - Earliest anti-literacy law passed

Description:

The colony of South Carolina passes the earliest anti-literacy act, making it a crime for enslaved Africans to learn to read and write. The law also makes it illegal for them to grow their own food, move freely, assemble in groups, or earn money.

Over time, several others will join South Carolina's leads - Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia will also pass anti-literacy laws, some of which criminalize both the slave learning to read and any individuals who help them learn. These laws are often enacted in response to rebellions, as rebellions are often led by the most literate and educated slaves. For example, the South Carolina law above was passed in response to the Stono Rebellion the year before.

The United States is the only country in the world known to have had anti-literacy laws.

Added to timeline:

Date: