First Protest Against Slavery
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Here in 1688, at the home of Tunes Kunders, an eloquent protest was written by a group of German Quakers. Signed by Pastorius and three others, it preceded by 92 years Pennsylvania's passage of the nation's first state abolition law.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1688, in the Germantown home of Tunes Kunders, a small group of German Quakers put pen to paper in what is remembered as the first formal protest against slavery in the American colonies. Drafted by Francis Daniel Pastorius and three others, the document argued on grounds of the Golden Rule that holding human beings in bondage was wrong. It came fully 92 years before Pennsylvania enacted the nation's first state abolition law.
Why it matters
The Germantown protest planted an early moral seed of American abolitionism, giving the long struggle against slavery one of its founding documents.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center5.3 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia5.4 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House5.5 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center5.5 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery5.5 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery5.6 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir3.6 mi away
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle3.8 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge4.1 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo4.3 mi away
- Rocky Steps4.6 mi away
- Philly Gun Range4.7 mi away · North Percy Street
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe5.5 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Burger King5.5 mi away
- Dunkin'5.5 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters5.5 mi away
- Time & Peace5.6 mi away · 36 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philly Pretzel Factory5.6 mi away
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia5.1 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center5.1 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia5.2 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City5.2 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA5.3 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City5.3 mi away · 1100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Francis Daniel Pastorius
- · Tunes Kunders
Related events
- · Germantown Protest Against Slavery
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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