Former U.S. President, John Quincy Adams begins his oral arguments for the defense, at the Supreme Court on February 24, 1841 in the case of the 53 Africans captured in the Spanish ship Amistad. ("La Amistad") speaking for four hours and a half.
Adams came back on March 1 and spoke for another four hours. Read Notes from Adams Diary.The court’s opinion was delivered on March 9, ruling that the Africans were free and could return home. Read about The Amistad