Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology

Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.

Compiled by Ulli Diemer

September 12, 1837
Hundreds of black Canadians confront British troops attempting to deport Solomon Moseby, an escaped slave from Kentucky, back to the United States. Slavery is illegal in the British Empire, so slaves who reach Upper Canada are supposed to be safe, but U.S. authorities have demanded that Moseby be deported back to the U.S. because he stole a horse from the slaveowner in order to escape. When news of the planned deportation becomes known in late August, blacks encircle the jail in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Upper Canada in order to prevent his removal. When the authorities make their move on September 12, the crowd attacks the troops guarding Moseby and enable him to escape. Two people are killed by the soldiers in the melee, and 40 are arrested. Related Topics: Anti-Slavery – Direct Action
September 12, 1898
Birth of Ben Shahn, artist and leftist.
September 12, 1924
Birth of Amilcar Cabral (Abel Djassi) (1924-1973), left nationalist and leader of the struggle for the independence of Guinea-Bissau. Further Reading: The Weapon of Theory, by Amilcar Cabral Related Topics: Guinea-Bissau – National Liberation Movements
September 12, 1944
Birth of Leonard Peltier, native activist and political prisoner who has been incarcerated in the United States since 1977. Further Reading: I Am Barak Obama's Prisoner Now, by Leonard Peltier The Fight for Leonard Peltier A Travesty of Justice: Why Peltier Remains in Prison Why is Leonard Peltier Still in Prison? Justice is 33 Years Overdue for America's Most Famous Political Prisoner Related Topics: Aboriginal Prisoners – Aboriginal Rights – Peltier, Leonard – Political Prisoners/Prisoners of Conscience
September 12, 1945
Start of the Windsor Ford strike, a 99-day strike in which 10,000 workers walk off the job, eventually resulting in a victory for the workers. Further Reading: Ninety-Nine Days: The Ford Strike in Windsor, 1945 Related Topics: Labour History – Picket Lines – Strikes: Canadian
September 12, 1977
Steve Biko is killed by South African police. Related Topics: Apartheid – Killings by Police