Want to know what happened Today in History Africa: 30 January? These are 2 historical events that took place today, in the continent of Africa and the African diaspora.
The continent of Africa has an immensely rich history; hidden African history is becoming more accessible as it is finally coming to light. African history, people, culture and books have influenced and inspired the world for time immemorial; it is now time for Africa to shine!
In this post you will learn about the many things that happened today in history in Africa and in the African diaspora like who wrote the first African American play.
After reading this post you will know tons of facts about Africa in relation to: Williams Wells Brown, Leap to Freedom and abolitionism.
This post is all about what happened Today in History Africa 30 January.
Today in History Africa: 30 January
African Literature
The first Black play published, A Leap to Freedom by Williams Wells Brown
On this day, 30 January 1858, Williams Wells Brown published A Leap for Freedom or The Escape; the first published play written by an African American.
A Leap for Freedom is the story of two enslaved people, Melinda and Glen, who, forbidden to marry find a way to escape to freedom in Canada. A Leap for Freedom is a play in 5 acts; that was only officially produced 52 years ago.
For years A Leap for Freedom was a closet piece. The piece played an important role in the abolition movement. It is a great work part of abolitionist literature and American dramatic literature.
Williams Wells Brown toured the United States and Europe giving readings of A Leap for Freedom at Anti-Slavery functions such as rallies and political events.
The author, Williams Wells Brown was a leader of the abolitionist movement, and one of America’s most prolific writers.
In 1834, after a first failed attempted the previous year, Williams Wells Brown escaped slavery, at 19 years old. Before then he had been enslaved – since birth – and had been sold to different slavers several times. He took the name Wells Brown from his Quaker friend that helped him in his escape. In his freedom Brown learned to read and write. And later worked for Elijah Parish Lovejoy, a martyr to the abolitionist cause,.
Among his many works of literature Williams Well Brown authored Clotel in 1853, one of – if not the – first novel written by an African American, in 1853 and he published the first history of African Americans in the Revolutionary War.
This post was all about what happened today in history Africa 30 January.
Today in History Africa series:
Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 29 January
Next Day: Today in History Africa: 31 January
Other posts you may like:
How Haiti gained its independence
Best African Books 2023
Pre-colonial Cameroon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Escape;_or,_A_Leap_for_Freedom#:~:text=The%20Escape%3B%20or%2C%20A%20Leap%20for%20Freedom%20is%20a%20play,of%20African%20American%20dramatic%20literature.
Today in Theatre History: WILLIAM WELLS BROWN’S “ESCAPE” LEAPS TO FAME–January 30, 1858
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wells_Brown
[…] Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 30 January […]