CalEvents:Aug/Aug 1
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for Aug 1
Date
Event
Significance
August 1, 1791
Boukman Dutty’s slave revolt in Haiti begins
On this day, enslaved Africans, led by Boukman Dutty, launched the first major revolt of what would become the Haitian Revolution. This uprising eventually led to the abolition of slavery and Haiti’s independence, making it the first Black republic in the Western Hemisphere.
August 1, 1943
Harlem Riot of 1943
On this day, the Harlem Riot erupted after a white police officer shot an African-American soldier, sparking widespread anger over police brutality and racial inequality. The riot was a pivotal moment in African-American urban resistance and reflected broader frustrations with systemic racism.
August 1, 1971
Start of Black August commemorations in U.S. prisons
On this day, Black August began to be observed, commemorating the struggles of African-American political prisoners and activists like George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, and others. Black August focuses on education, resistance, and the legacy of Black revolutionaries in the fight against racial injustice.
August 1, 1981
Emancipation Day celebrated in Jamaica
On this day, Emancipation Day was officially celebrated in Jamaica to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. This holiday remains a key part of Jamaica’s national identity, honoring the freedom of Africans and their descendants.
August 1, 1994
Black August Hip-Hop concert series initiated
On this day, the Black August Hip-Hop concert series was initiated, linking the legacy of Black revolutionaries with hip-hop culture. The series highlighted political issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, and racial oppression, while raising funds for political prisoners and community organizations.
August 1, 2001
Launch of Black August Awareness campaign in South Africa
On this day, South African activists launched the Black August Awareness campaign, connecting the history of apartheid resistance with global struggles for Black liberation. The campaign focused on educating young people about historical African resistance movements and the fight against neocolonialism.
August 1, 2018
Black August commemorated in Brazil
On this day, Brazil officially recognized Black August as a month of reflection on the African diaspora's history and struggles. This observance highlights the resistance of Afro-Brazilians to slavery, colonialism, and racial injustice, tying in with broader Pan-African solidarity movements.