Special Event: African Landing Commemoration
The Landing of the First Africans in English North America
The first Africans kidnapped and brought to English North America came from the kingdoms of Kongo and Ndongo and Matamba—two of the largest states in Central Africa, governed by elected rulers from royal lineages. In the late 1400s, Portuguese invasions disrupted these highly advanced societies, setting in motion the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
In 1619, the São João Bautista departed Luanda, Angola, carrying more than 350 enslaved Africans bound for Vera Cruz in New Spain. The horrors of the Middle Passage across the Atlantic are unimaginable. As the ship crossed the Bay of Campeche, two English privateers—the White Lion and the Treasurer—attacked, seizing approximately 60 Africans. Seeking provisions, they sailed north and arrived at Point Comfort in August 1619. There, the Africans were brought ashore and traded to colonists throughout the region.
This moment altered the course of history—from the earliest years of the Virginia colony to the founding of America and beyond. The resilience, perseverance, and courage of the men and women who landed at Point Comfort contributed to the survival of a fragile colony, even as their lives and labor were exploited.
From this beginning emerged both profound injustice and profound cultural transformation. The encounter of Indigenous, African, and European peoples was often marked by violence and loss, yet it also gave rise to enduring cultural traditions that continue to shape American life today—including foodways, music, language, and oral traditions.
During African Landing Commemoration Week, we reflect on this history, honor the lives and legacies of those who endured it, and recognize the ways their contributions continue to shape our shared story.
Event details will be shared soon.