On this date in 1827, New York State officially abolished slavery, making it one of the last northern states to do so. The decision came after years of gradual emancipation, which began in 1799.
The 1799 law passed by the New York legislature stated that children born to enslaved mothers after that year would be freed when they reached the age of 21 (for males) or 18 (for females). However, many enslaved individuals remained in bondage until July 4, 1827, when the final enslaved people in New York were granted their freedom.
This moment in history was a significant step toward the abolition of slavery across the United States, and it marked a key victory for the abolitionist movement.
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