On June 28, 1839, Sengbe Pieh, known as Cinqué, a Mende man from Sierra Leone, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Cuba. Along with other Africans, he was transported aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad. During the voyage, Cinqué led a revolt, taking control of the ship. The vessel was eventually seized by the U.S. Navy near Long Island, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case. The Court ruled in favor of the Africans, recognizing their right to resist unlawful captivity and ordering their release. This case became a significant moment in the abolitionist movement, highlighting the legal and moral complexities of slavery in the United States.
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