On this day in 1837, Africans and Native Americans who had formed Florida's Seminole Nation decisively defeated an invading U.S. force more than twice their size, led by slaveowner and future U.S. president Zachary Taylor.

Since the founding of the U.S., escaped African slaves had settled in modern-day Florida. At the same time, Seminoles suffering under Creek rule in Alabama and Georgia were fleeing south to seek independence. There, the two groups formed an alliance, sharing cultivation techniques and putting up armed resistance against colonization and slaver forces.

The U.S. repeatedly invaded territory controlled by this alliance, and, on Christmas Day in 1837, 380 to 480 Seminole fighters gathered on the northeast corner of Florida's Lake Okeechobee ready to halt the armies of Colonel Zachary Taylor, a Louisiana slaveholder and future U.S. president.

Seminole riflemen waited for the soldiers in trees, firing on them from above. The battle was a decisive defeat for U.S. forces, however Taylor falsely claimed a victory when returning to Fort Gardner.

Dec. 26, 1835: Second Seminole War, Largest Uprising of the Enslaved amerikkka

Christmas day freedom fighters: hidden history of the Seminole anticolonial struggle - William Katz left-unity-2

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  • Mokey [none/use name]
    ·
    1 year ago
    mokey holiday whining

    My sister went full twitter dem soc lib, waiting for her communist turn.

    Dad is still a prager conservative and I really think my Mom needs to cut back on her medication. My moms weirdness, obsessiveness and self-centeredness show up the worst during holidays. I made a self-depreciating joke and it was the only time my mom had an emotion or reaction the entire night. That bugged me a bit, considering what the joke is, I have a feeling she thinks I'm a lazy loser when i think reality is far from that. I practice everyday and I have a decent job. She was an unfit parent if were gonna be real with it.

    My dad has gotten better because hes learned to keep everything above the board.

    Sister and Dad argued about Speedy Gonzalez, my partner is not American so they explained their thoughts. My dad took it as siding with him but the argument my sister was making really is an American argument. My partner is not Mexican and has a totally different paradigm on it than us.

    But my reaction that i kept to myself was:

    1. Just because some other person with another nationality likes racist stereotype mouse doesnt mean theyre right and therefore youre right.

    2. It's valid to not want to be the butt of the joke if youre a minority in cracker land.

    3. Its speedy gonzalez who the fuck cares

    But beyond that pretty tame. Usually when I spend time with them I feel so empty and lost but nothing this time.

    I dont like the holidays and my parents kill the joy of it. Genuinely unfun. My sister is the opposite of me and she overtries to compensate to make the holidays fun. I generally just dont do anything. I'm not gonna fake anything I dont feel and I'm not going to support my sister trying to make it fun. Its not fun and sister gets irritated, depressed and burnt out trying to do it. I'm going to help her out with an unexpected expense that being said.

    My partner is the only one I want to celebrate with but we didnt this year because certain events. I still got them a small gift.