The Death of Anacaona: Executed by the Spanish at Santo Domingo
After her husband Caonabo was shipped to Spain by Christopher Columbus and her brother Behechio died, Anacaona ruled so well she was hanged for...
Anne Bonny: Renowned Female Pirate
Bonny was a better fighter than most male pirates. When the end was near, she fought like a hell-cat on her ship's deck while...
Independence and Hispanic Heritage Month: Seven Latin American Countries Celebrate Their Freedom
Among the events celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15) are the independence days of seven countries of Latin America.
As diverse...
Economics of 16th-19th Century Pirate Recruitment on the Seas
Piracy has been in the news lately because of the problem it has generted in Somolia, but lets look at the motivations of young...
Irish Catholics Indentured in Colonial Barbados
Irish Catholics and Scots "Barbadosed" by Oliver Cromwell did not fare well as indentured servants.
With both religious and political origins, Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of...
A Slave Narrative: Job Ben Solomon or Ayuba Sulaiman Ibrahim
One of many to make the Middle Passage as a slave, Job Ben Solomon was one of the few to make a return trip...
Black Bart: Real Pirates of the Caribbean
Black Bart was about as prolific a pirate as they come. The number of plundered ships associated with his name is a staggering 400,...
Captain Kidd: From Untold Riches to the Hangman’s Noose
Captain Kidd was either a bloodthirsty pirate of his own volition, or else a victim of mutinous circumstances beyond his control. The result...
Slave Ship Captains of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Who were the men who commanded the slave ships on the Middle Passage and what exactly did they do?
On the slave ship, the captain...
John Newton: Sailor to Slave Ship Captain
The man who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace" led a colorful life before penning his famous hymn lyrics.
Perhaps the best-known slave-ship captain in history...