The Spanish National Assembly abolished slavery in Puerto Rico on this date. The slave owners were compensated with 35 million pesetas per slave, and the slaves were required to continue working for three more years.

On Easter Sunday, 1873, members of Louisiana's White League clashed with members of the almost entirely black state militia. The White League, wanting an all-white government for the state, attacked the militia. Following the surrender of the militiamen, between sixty and 100 African American troops were murdered, while only three members of the White League were killed in the skirmish.

John W. Works was born on this date. Works is believed to be the first Black collector of Negro folksongs.

Composer J. Rosamond Johnson was born on this date in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnson and his brother James Weldon Johnson co-produced the songs Under the Bamboo Tree.

Blues legend W.C. Handy was born William Christopher Handy on this date in Florence, Alabama. Handy is known as the "Father of the Blues". Some of his songs include Beale Street Blues, St. Louis Blues, and Memphis Blues.