From the Government of the Yukon Historic Sites Fort Selkirk guide: "In 1848, Robert Campbell descended the Pelly River to establish a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post at the river’s mouth. He named the site Fort Selkirk. Four years later, he relocated the post to higher ground at the present site. Also, he made arrangements to obtain supplies from Fort Yukon, which was served by a more reliable and economical route than the one Campbell had used previously. The new supply line allowed Campbell to compete with the Chilkats, who had a long-standing trade arrangements with the Selkirk people. The coastal tribe reacted to this challenge to their monopoly by pillaging Fort Selkirk in 1852. Campbell fled for his life and was rescued by the Selkirk Chief, Hanan. In gratitude, Campbell gave his name to the Chief, whose descendents still use it. After his rescue, Campbell snowshoed much of the way to Minnesota, then traveled to Montreal. There, he tried to persuade his superiors to mount a raid against the Chilkats but was unsuccessful. It was 40 years before another trading post was established at Fort Selkirk."

Nat Turner was an enslaved person in Virginia who planned a revolt for many years. A solar eclipse in the beginning of 1831 as well as an atmospheric disturbance causing the sun to appear green in August caused him to choose these dates for the rebellion. More than 70 enslaved and Free Black people took part in the revolt and some consider it to be the most significant uprising in American history. Turner's slave owner was the first of ~55-65 whites killed in the uprising, which makes it the deadliest (for whites) slave revolt. The rebels did not have guns and only used what they could find. State militia put down the uprising two days later. White violence against Black people not involved in the rebellion was widespread afterwards as rumors flew around the slave holding communities of the South, possibly 120 innocent people were killed. Nat Turner successfully evaded capture for six weeks.