1662- A Virginia law is made that children take the status of their mothers. Children born of enslaved mothers are also enslaved, even if their father is white.

1684- Africans are brought to Philadelphia, starting a striving slave trade in the city.

1705- Massachusetts makes marriage between whites and blacks illegal. 

1775 – The American Revolution begins in April. The royal governor of Virginia offers freedom to any enslaved people who escape and join the king’s forces. Black patriots fight in battles of the Revolution. Other escaped slaves join the British army.

1776- America adopts the Declaration of Independence.                                                                                                              1808- Laws banning slave trade went into effect in the United States and British colonies.                                                                                                                                                  1860- Abraham Lincon became President and the civil war began.                                                                                                                                                                                                1865- The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was approved, banning slavery.