Congress passes a strengthened Fugitive Slave Act compelling citizens to assist in capturing escaped enslaved people.
At a Glance
- Date
- 18 September 1850
- Location
- United States
- Category
- Abolition & Slavery
- Source
- Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It extended the reach of slavery into free states and radicalized the abolitionist cause.
What It Means Now
The law accelerated the sectional crisis that led to the Civil War.
Also on 18 September
Cite this page
- MLA
- “The Fugitive Slave Act Is Enacted.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-fugitive-slave-act-is-enacted/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). The Fugitive Slave Act Is Enacted. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-fugitive-slave-act-is-enacted/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “The Fugitive Slave Act Is Enacted.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/the-fugitive-slave-act-is-enacted/.
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.