Nat Turner’s Rebellion, a deadly slave uprising, takes place in Virginia

Nat Turner was an enslaved man and preacher who led a slave uprising in Southampton, Virginia. The uprising resulted in the death of approximately 55 white people, including the family that "owned" Turner. He hid for six weeks before he was discovered then hanged alongside followers. 56 Black people were executed for their participation in the revolt, hundreds more beaten and killed by white militias. The uprising led to harsher laws enacted for free and enslaved Black people across the South, including bans against teaching literacy, preaching and gathering in groups.