NAAM’s Freedom Day celebrates history, culture, equity, and freedom while highlighting the importance of sharing these ideals with ALL members of our community. Freedom Day is a FREE admission day at NAAM offered once a month that provides a variety of community activities, museum activations, and programs for individuals and families of all ages to enjoy at no cost. NAAM uses Freedom Day to spotlight significant and sometimes lesser known moments throughout history that have worked to advance freedom for all. Below review all past events we have celebrated on Freedom Day.
Honoring Benjamin Banneker on November 9, 1731
On this Freedom Day, we honor the remarkable life and legacy of Benjamin Banneker — a mathematician, astronomer, inventor, and early African American intellectual whose brilliance challenged the limits imposed on Black people in the 18th century. Born free in 1731 in Maryland, Banneker displayed an extraordinary aptitude for learning at a young age. Largely self-taught, he mastered mathematics, astronomy, and scientific observation using the books he could access and his own relentless curiosity. His achievements — including constructing one of the first striking clocks in America entirely from wood — were extraordinary feats that demonstrated that intellect and creativity know no boundaries of race or circumstance.
Banneker’s influence extended far beyond scientific innovation. In the 1790s, he became a vocal advocate for justice and equality, using his work to challenge systemic oppression. He published a series of almanacs that included not only detailed astronomical calculations and weather predictions but also essays promoting civil rights and the abolition of slavery. His correspondence with Thomas Jefferson stands as a landmark moment in American history: Banneker boldly confronted Jefferson on the contradictions between the principles of liberty and the continued practice of slavery. Through his letters, he argued persuasively that African Americans possessed the same intellectual and moral capacities as any other human being, helping to lay early groundwork for ideas of equality and access in the new nation.
Beyond his scientific and social contributions, Banneker’s legacy serves as a powerful example of how knowledge can be an instrument of freedom. His life reminds us that education, curiosity, and creativity are themselves acts of liberation, particularly in a world structured to limit opportunity for Black people. By charting the stars, designing instruments, and asserting the rights of his community, Banneker expanded the horizon of what was possible.
Did You Know?
Banneker successfully predicted a solar eclipse in 1789, impressing many contemporary scientists and earning widespread recognition for his astronomical skill.
He played a key role in the survey of Washington, D.C., assisting in the layout of the new capital city.
Banneker’s almanacs included not only practical information but also poetry and literary essays, showcasing his wide-ranging intellect.
His work inspired later generations of Black scientists, mathematicians, and inventors, demonstrating that innovation can flourish despite systemic barriers.
His famous wooden clock, built in his twenties, kept accurate time for more than 50 years.
