DE SCR61

Marks the 400th anniversary of the 1619 arrival of approximately 20 enslaved Africans at Point Comfort, Virginia, considered the first chapter of slavery in English North America.

Acknowledges that slavery expanded from Virginia to 14 other American states including Delaware, where the first known African slave "Black Anthony" arrived in 1639.

Honors Delaware abolitionists including Samuel D. Burris and Mary Ann Shadd Carey (Black abolitionists) and John Hunn and Thomas Garrett (white abolitionists) who risked persecution to aid enslaved people.

Recognizes that slavery was formally ended by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the 13th Amendment in 1865, though harmful effects continued beyond abolition.

Urges all Delawareans to familiarize themselves with this history and honors African Americans for persevering through slavery and racism to build a culture that has enriched American life.