Celebrating the Life of Benjamin Banneker

300 Oella Avenue,Catonsville MD 21228

12 February, 2022

Description

Celebrating Benjamin Banneker: A Pioneer among America's Black Scientists and Champions of Liberty At the end of the 1700s, a genius in early American history published almanacs with copious information about the seasons and weather. Benjamin Banneker, self-taught, informed Americans of crucial science of the time to aid in trades including agriculture and fishing: astronomical calculations, cycles of locusts, phases of the moon, tide charts and more. He was also Black and the son of a former slave. Banneker's life is not only characterized by his commitment to science, but by his staunch support for liberty and freedom. Banneker even submitted the first edition of his almanac to slaveholder Thomas Jefferson, who was secretary of state at that time, as a form of proof that Black Americans should be emancipated. In 1791, Jefferson officially replied and even agreed with Banneker--nearly 70 years before the official end of slavery. On February 12, we recognize and celebrate the life of this incredible Marylander, scientist, and former resident of Baltimore and Howard Counties.