By the time the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, Black Americans—both free and enslaved—were already fighting, spying, building, and dying for a freedom that wasn’t guaranteed to them.

During the Revolutionary War:

• Over 5,000 Black men fought for the American side
• Tens of thousands fought for the British, who promised freedom in return for loyalty
• Black labor, bravery, and sacrifice were critical to the Revolution’s success—but too often left out of the story

Here are some of the Black heroes of 1776 and the Revolutionary era:

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🩸 Crispus Attucks

• The first American killed in the Boston Massacre (1770), often called the first martyr of the Revolution
• A formerly enslaved man of African and Native descent
• Became a symbol of Black resistance and American courage

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🗡️ Peter Salem

• Enslaved in Massachusetts, gained his freedom to fight in the war
• Fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he is credited with killing British Major Pitcairn
• Served in multiple battles including Saratoga and Stony Point

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🛡️ Salem Poor

• Bought his freedom and became a Continental soldier
• Fought bravely at Bunker Hill
• Recognized by 14 white officers for his heroism: “a brave and gallant soldier”

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🕵🏾‍♂️ James Armistead Lafayette

• Enslaved man who became a spy for the American army
• Posed as a runaway slave to infiltrate British camps
• His intelligence helped secure victory at Yorktown
• Freed after the war and took the name Lafayette

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📝 Phyllis Wheatley

• The first published African American poet
• Enslaved in Boston, her poetry celebrated liberty and moral virtue
• Wrote a tribute to George Washington and was invited to meet him in 1776
• Her work challenged racist assumptions and added a literary voice to the Revolution

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🌊 Prince Whipple

• Believed to be one of the Black men in the painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware”
• Enslaved African who fought alongside Washington in key campaigns
• Gained his freedom after years of service

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⚖️ Black Loyalists

• After Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775), many enslaved people joined the British for a promise of freedom
• Served as soldiers, laborers, and guides
• After the war, many were relocated to Nova Scotia, England, or founded new lives in Sierra Leone

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📣 Final Word:

While America celebrated its independence in 1776, millions remained in bondage—yet still, Black Americans stepped into history’s fire. Their sacrifice was not just for a new nation, but for the hope of one day being truly free in it.

Let’s make sure their names are never forgotten.