Little-known US naval campaign against the slave trade (Documentary/History Channel)
Time Warner Cable and The History Channel(R) Present a Special Screening of USS CONSTELLATION: BATTLING FOR FREEDOM in Honor of Black History Month.
The program, which premiered to a national audience Saturday, February 10 at 7pm (CT) on The History Channel, explores the little-known story of the U.S. Navy's Africa squadron, dedicated to ending the slave trade stemming from the west coast of Africa, prior to the beginning of the Civil War.
Prior to the local screening, Time Warner Cable and The History Channel presented The African American Museum of Dallas with a community service grant aimed at supporting the museum's ongoing efforts to preserve and display African American artistic, cultural and historical materials in North Texas. "We are honored to be recognized by Time Warner Cable and The History Channel at this special occasion, and look forward to helping today's audiences learn more about our shared history," said Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., President & CEO, African American Museum.
Despite being outlawed by the U.S. in the early 19th century, the trans- Atlantic slave trade continued illegally for many years. With the renegade slave trade out of control, the U.S. military intervened, paying Navy sailors a reward for every African that they were able to free from the slave camps and ships that wreaked havoc on the West African coast. Their battles came to a head in 1860 just before the Civil War, when the crown jewel of the U.S. Navy, the USS Constellation, with cannons blazing began its high-seas pursuit of the Cora, the ship of slave trader John Latham.
"The History Channel is committed to telling stories like this about often overlooked, yet important moments in U.S. history. USS Constellation: Battling For Freedom certainly fits that category," said Dr. Libby O'Connell, SVP, Corporate Outreach and Chief Historian for The History Channel. "We are thrilled to bring this powerful film to Dallas with the help of Time Warner Cable in honor of the Black History Month."
Read entire article at Press Release--History Channel
The program, which premiered to a national audience Saturday, February 10 at 7pm (CT) on The History Channel, explores the little-known story of the U.S. Navy's Africa squadron, dedicated to ending the slave trade stemming from the west coast of Africa, prior to the beginning of the Civil War.
Prior to the local screening, Time Warner Cable and The History Channel presented The African American Museum of Dallas with a community service grant aimed at supporting the museum's ongoing efforts to preserve and display African American artistic, cultural and historical materials in North Texas. "We are honored to be recognized by Time Warner Cable and The History Channel at this special occasion, and look forward to helping today's audiences learn more about our shared history," said Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., President & CEO, African American Museum.
Despite being outlawed by the U.S. in the early 19th century, the trans- Atlantic slave trade continued illegally for many years. With the renegade slave trade out of control, the U.S. military intervened, paying Navy sailors a reward for every African that they were able to free from the slave camps and ships that wreaked havoc on the West African coast. Their battles came to a head in 1860 just before the Civil War, when the crown jewel of the U.S. Navy, the USS Constellation, with cannons blazing began its high-seas pursuit of the Cora, the ship of slave trader John Latham.
"The History Channel is committed to telling stories like this about often overlooked, yet important moments in U.S. history. USS Constellation: Battling For Freedom certainly fits that category," said Dr. Libby O'Connell, SVP, Corporate Outreach and Chief Historian for The History Channel. "We are thrilled to bring this powerful film to Dallas with the help of Time Warner Cable in honor of the Black History Month."