Nat Turner led his famous slave revolt on this day in 1831. He and 55 other people were subsequently executed for the rebellion, and Southern states passed laws prohibiting slaves to be educated and requiring white ministers to be present at black worship services. From NewsOne: "Sometime in 1828, Nat Turner said that while working in the field, he heard 'loud noise in the heavens,' which he said was God telling him to strike back against the slave owners who held him and his fellow slaves captive. He began planning a rebellion in early 1831 and said that a series of solar eclipses were signs from above that he should strike back. Originally planning the uprising for July 4, Turner would have to postpone the revolt due to planning and illness. On August 13, another solar eclipse took place, and a week later, Nat Turner would launch the rebellion."
The article continues: "With a trusted handful of slaves, Nat Turner and his crew would go from house to house freeing slaves and killing any White people in their midst. More than 70 enslaved and freed Blacks made up the rebel force, and they used knives, axes, and other tools to carry out their task. Before a White armed militia could contain the rebels, they would kill 60 White men, women, and children while more than 100 Black people were also killed. Turner’s rebellion inspired cruelty from slave owners who wanted revenge for the uprising. In retaliation, more than 200 Blacks — many who knew nothing of Nat Turner — were beaten, tortured, and killed."
More: "Even though Nat Turner’s rebellion was quelled in two days’ time, he was able to avoid capture until October of that year. He was tried on November 5th for 'conspiring to rebel and making insurrection' and thus was made an example of in a public execution. Turner said that he hoped to inspire other slaves to seek freedom by any means and later he wanted to spread 'terror and alarm' among White people. Although he remains a controversial Black figure, Nat Turner’s legacy remains that of a man who felt that the injustices he and his people faced were ungodly and that a divine source led him to free other captives by whatever means available."
Today In American History: Nat Turner Slave Rebellion
