First slaves arrive in Virginia.
Lucy Terry, a slave poet, writes about a native American attack.
Phillis Wheatley publishes Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
US Contstitution states that Congress cannot make slavery illegal until 1808.
Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin which increases the demand for slave labor.
Slaves who escape are to be returned to owner.
Gabriel Prosser, a slave blacksmith, organizes a slave revolt. He is hanged along with other conspirators. Virginia strengthens slave laws.
Congress bans importing slaves from Africa.
Missouri Compromise bans slavery north of the southern boundary of Missouri.