The Pearl Escape of 1848: Seventy-Seven People Who Tried to Sail to Freedom in the Shadow of the U.S. Capitol
In April 1848, seventy-seven enslaved people boarded a small schooner called The Pearl in Washington, D.C., hoping to sail 225 miles to freedom. Their coordinated escape attempt, planned in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, became one of the largest mass escape efforts in American history and helped shape national debates on slavery.
10 Events in History that have used the Raised Fist Symbol
Explore 10 powerful moments in history when the raised fist symbolized resistance, from 19th‑century uprisings to Black Power, feminism, Pride, and Black Lives Matter.
The Ocoee Massacre (1920): The Deadliest Election Day Violence in U.S. History
On Election Day 1920 in Ocoee, Florida, a white mob attacked Black citizens trying to cast ballots. The massacre killed dozens, burned homes, and forced an entire African American population to flee—making it the deadliest act of voting-day violence in U.S. history.
Nat Turner's 1831 Southampton Rebellion: A Deep Dive
In August 1831, Nat Turner led one of the most significant slave rebellions in American history. The uprising in Southampton County, Virginia, challenged the system of slavery and triggered sweeping consequences across the South.
Top 10 Events in Black American History
From 1619 to the present, these 10 defining moments shaped the course of Black American history and continue to influence the nation today.
The Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic: Largest African American Parade in America
The Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic in Chicago is the largest African American parade in the United States, celebrating education, culture, and community since 1929.
The 761st Tank Battalion: Black Heroes Who Liberated Gunskirchen (And Got Erased)
The 761st Tank Battalion, known as the “Black Panthers,” fought in World War II and helped liberate Gunskirchen concentration camp—yet their role was long overlooked.
A First-Time Visit to a Historic Treasure
A first-time visit to Pullman National Monument reveals the layered history of labor, race, and community on Chicago’s South Side.
The Zong Massacre: A Black History Story I Was Never Taught
In 1781, over 130 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard from the slave ship Zong for insurance profit. This is the story history rarely teaches.