Historical Event
Founding of Fort Mose (1738)
The founding of Fort Mose in 1738, located just north of St. Augustine, Florida, marked the establishment of the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what is now the United States. This fort served as a military outpost and a refuge for enslaved Africans seeking freedom from British colonies, where they could serve the Spanish crown in exchange for their liberty.
Why This Matters
Fort Mose is significant as it illustrates the complexities of freedom and resistance within the African diaspora, highlighting how individuals navigated colonial systems to claim autonomy. Its legacy fosters a deeper understanding of African American history and the Transatlantic Reconnection narrative by emphasizing the ongoing struggle for freedom and the important roles Black communities have played in shaping Americas.
Related People
Related Heritage Sites
Related Lessons
Freedom's Soldiers: African Americans and the Civil War
Unit 4
Gaspar Yanga and San Lorenzo de los Negros: The First Free Town in the Americas
Unit 1
The Compromise — Constitutional Complicity (1787–1789)
Unit 3.5
The Political Convention & Public Voice (1820–1840)
Unit 4
The General Strike & The End of Slavery (1861–1865)
Unit 4
Related Journeys
No Journeys Connected
This event has not yet been connected to discovery journeys.