Today in Labor History April 6, 1712: New York City saw its first slave revolt. It occurred just north of Wall Street, in response to the execution of twenty-one blacks for killing nine whites. Conditions were ideal for a revolt, since black slaves and freemen worked in close proximity, making communication and planning easier. In the aftermath of the revolt, the authorities jailed 70 black men. Six “committed suicide” in custody. The authorities executed twenty of the prisoners by burning and one on the “breaking wheel.” They also passed new regulations, prohibiting black men from meeting in groups larger than three or carrying firearms. Free men were also denied the right to own property.

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