| 1641 |
Massachusetts becomes
the first colony to recognize slavery as a legal institution. |
| 1646 |
Massachusetts Bay Colony declares two Africans free and orders their return to
Africa at public expense. |
| 1770 |
Crispus Attucks
is killed in the Boston Massacre. |
| 1775 |
Black Patriot, Peter
Salem, fights as Lexington and Concord. |
| 1780 |
Under a new state
constitution, Elizabeth Freeman wins her suit for
emancipation. |
| 1783 |
The Quock Walker
decision ends legalized slavery in Massachusetts. |
| 1790 |
By this time, in the
original 7 free states, slavery has been or is gradually being
outlawed: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. |
| 1835 |
A mob drags Garrison
though Boston's streets and nearly lynches him before
authorities remove him to a city jail for his own
safety. |
| 1854 |
When Anthony Burns,
an escaped slave, is captured under the Fugitive Slave law in
Boston, a huge protest ensues. |