This Week In Black History July 24-30, 2024

JULY 24 1651—Anthony (or Antonio) Johnson, a free Black man who had purchased freedom for himself and his wife, is awarded 250 acres of land in North Hampton, Va. Johnson was among the first group of 20 Black indentured ser­vants brought to America in 1619. Inden­tured servitude was a form of slavery which allowed the person to either work for or purchase his freedom. After be­coming free, Johnson became the first wealthy Black person in America. He even purchased five indentured ser­vants of his own. He probably picked up the name “Johnson” from his original owner but in official records from the period he is simply referred to as “Anto­nio the Negro.” 1802—Famed French writer Alexan­der Dumas is born. He was the product of a French general and a light-com­plexioned Black Haitian woman. Du­mas would go on to become one of the world’s greatest and most prolific writers. He is best known for his clas­sics such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.” His Blackness caused him some problems in French society, but by and large his fame and the money from his books enabled him to live an extravagant life­style. 1904—This is the day it is...