- 1865: the abolition of slavery
- 1925:the Black Renaissance
- 1985: the first Dr Martin Luther King’s Day.
Almost all the first Africans who arrived in the New World were slaves. They came from several regions of the African West Coast.
Their ways of living were described by slaves themselves, in some narratives. They had to work either in plantations or in town.
Slaves were allowed to meet for Christian services. Rural slaves used to stay after the regular worship services, in churches or in plantation “praise houses”, for singing and dancing. They also had meetings at secret places (“camp meetings”, “bush meetings”), because they needed to meet one another and share their joys, pains and hopes. In rural meetings, thousands slaves were gathered and listened to itinerant preachers, and sang spirituals, for hours.
The lyrics of negro spirituals were tightly linked with the lives of their authors: slaves. Many slaves in town and in plantations tried to run to a “free country”, that they called “my home” or “Sweet Canaan, the Promised Land”. This country was on the Northern side of Ohio River, that they called “Jordan”. Some negro spirituals refer to the Underground Railroad, an organization for helping slaves to run away.
The lyrics of negro spirituals were tightly linked with the lives of their authors: slaves. Many slaves in town and in plantations tried to run to a “free country”, that they called “my home” or “Sweet Canaan, the Promised Land”. This country was on the Northern side of Ohio River, that they called “Jordan”. Some negro spirituals refer to the Underground Railroad, an organization for helping slaves to run away.
Slavery was abolished in 1865. Then, some African Americans were allowed to go to school and be graduated.
