On February 15, 1839, a group of enslaved people on the Amistad ship successfully revolted against their captors. Led by Sengbe Pieh, also known as Joseph Cinqué, they took control of the ship and demanded to be returned to Africa.
The Amistad was eventually intercepted by the US Navy and the enslaved people were taken into custody. A legal battle ensued, with abolitionists arguing that the enslaved people were free individuals who had been illegally captured and sold into slavery.
The case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, where former President John Quincy Adams argued on behalf of the enslaved people. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the enslaved people had been unlawfully kidnapped and were therefore free to return to Africa.
The events of February 15, 1839 were a significant moment in the fight against slavery, highlighting the resilience and determination of those who sought freedom and justice.