Descendants of African-Americans who began their lives in America as kidnapped slaves were then deprived of civil rights by "Jim Crow" laws. Leaders inspired others to overcome racial prejudice and legal obstacles. These stories highlight the ups and downs of black history.
Image of a Harper's Weekly article published on February 9, 1861 called Now ready - American slavery Justified, by Reverend Samuel Seabury, ...
This is a page from the Affidavit of Kimbo, one of the Amistad Africans who had been kidnapped in Sierra Leone. The original document is maintai...
Ann Maria Jackson, and her seven children, escaped slavery and made it to Canada. William Still includes their story in his book, The Undergroun...
Image of a drawing depicting the destruction of a printing press, from the Anti-Slavery Almanac, 1839.
When Frederick Douglass died, newspapers wrote glowing accounts of his efforts to abolish slavery (among other things). This article, online via the L...
Bass Reeves was one of 200 Deputy U.S. Marshals appointed to help Judge
This image is the first page of a Bill of Sale regarding Frederick Douglass (then known as Frederick Bailey). Since slaves were considered prope...
This image is the second page of Booker T. Washington's appeal to preserve the home of Frederick Douglass - called "Cedar Hill" - located in the Anaco...
Booker T. Washington, another famous African-American, wanted to preserve the home of Frederick Douglass so it could honor the man and commemorate his...
This is page 2 of Charley Williams' story. Note that to maintain authenticity, writers transcribed the oral histories - including Charley's - using t...
This is page 3, of Charley Williams' story, and concludes his oral history as a former American slave. Note that to maintain authenticity, writers tr...
The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was intended to provide protection for African-Americans. The United States Supreme Court, however, found it to be ...
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