February is Black History Month. Each day one historical fact will be shared from the time period of 1492 - 2000, in 25 year increments. 

Today's fact:

1776 – 1800

The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  The British promise freedom to any Black men who will fight with them.  More than three hundred ex-slaves form a Black battalion in RI, the first of many that form throughout the Colonies.  The war ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris.  There are now more than one million Blacks living in the Colonies with more than half living in VA and MD.  Vermont and Massachusetts abolish slavery during this time period.