Thirty-five survivors of the Amistad mutiny departed New York City and returned home to Africa.  In the harrowing event, Africans of the Mende Tribe were captured and forced aboard the Spanish ship, La Amistad, where they revolted against their captors and tried to force the ship back to Africa. Instead, it sailed to Long Island, New York. In a fight for their freedom, the slaves were put to trial in the United States, and the case would eventually reach the Supreme Court. They were eventually found not guilty of the mutiny and, in January 1842, the Africans returned home to Sierra Leone.

(Photo: Jessica Hill, AP Photo)