Militant abolitionist John Brown is born in Torrington, Connecticut.
At a Glance
- Date
- 9 May 1800
- Location
- Torrington, Connecticut
- Key people
- John Brown
- Category
- Abolition & Slavery
- Source
- Biographical records · National Park Service
What It Meant Then
He would lead the raid on Harpers Ferry in a bid to end slavery by force.
What It Means Now
Brown remains a contested symbol of armed resistance to slavery.
Cite this page
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- “John Brown Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/john-brown-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). John Brown Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/john-brown-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “John Brown Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/john-brown-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.