According to Black Lives Matter: The significance of the month of August to Black people runs deep. Black August honors Black freedom fighters — past and present — many of whom were killed by the state or imprisoned for defending Black lives.
August 21st itself marks three key moments in Black history:
On August 21st, 1971, George Lester Jackson — co-founder of the Black Guerilla Family and author of Soledad Brothers, led the San Quentin Prison Uprising-where he was subsequently wounded and died during the uprising.
August 21st, 1831, Nat Turner initiated one of the most successful revolts of enslaved people in history.
August 21st, 1791 marks the start of the Haitian Revolution, when thousands of African people rose up to overthrow chattel slavery in Haiti and claim Black autonomy.