The U.S. Senate this week recognized the USS Constellation’s effort in thwarting the importation of slaves, as the Civil War-era ship will host the bicentennial of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The Senate unanimously passed a resolution honoring the historical significance of the Constellation, the last surviving Civil War sailing ship moored in Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor. The House of Representatives passed a similar resolution this month.
“Today [the Constellation] rests … as a reminder of African Americans’ long struggle for freedom and equality,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said in a written statement.
The Constellation played an important role in stopping ships from taking slaves in Africa to the Americas. The ship later joined the Union blockade of Southern ports, and prevented the Confederacy from obtaining a steamship from England.
“The efforts and accomplishments of the Constellation’s crew helped lead not only to the liberation of thousands of Africans, but also to the liberation from oppression and ignorance,” Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said in a written statement.
The Constellation Museum today is expected to host a ceremony to honor the fight against the slave trade, which was abolished in 1808.
