---
title: "Expressing support for the designation of April 10, 2023, as \"Venture Smith Freedom Day\"."
identifier: "118-HRES-278"
congress: 118
bill_number: 278
bill_type: "HRES"
version_code: "ih"
version_type: "Introduced in House"
bill_url: "https://chamberzero.com/congresses/118/bills/hres/278"
source: "https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/278"
site: "Chamber Zero"
site_url: "https://chamberzero.com"
rendered_at: "2026-06-04T03:27:26.851Z"
---
Whereas, in about 1729, Venture Smith was born free in West Africa and, in 1739, was seized from his home and enslaved in New England;Whereas 258 years ago, in the year 1765, Venture Smith, at the age of 36, purchased his freedom;Whereas Venture Smith went on to free his family from the bondage of slavery;Whereas Venture Smith became a successful landowner, businessman, and author in the United States;Whereas, in November 1798, Venture Smith was the first African American to write and publish his own autobiography;Whereas Venture Smith was the first person to write and publish the phrase, "My freedom is a privilege which nothing else can equal";Whereas Venture Smith died a free man on September 19, 1805, in Connecticut; andWhereas April 10 would be an appropriate date to designate as "Venture Smith Freedom Day": Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives supports the designation of "Venture Smith Freedom Day", which would recognize the 258th anniversary of Venture Smith purchasing his freedom and going on to become a landowner, businessman, and author in Connecticut.