The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865

This bill would award a single Congressional Gold Medal, after death, to all Africans and their descendants who were enslaved in the United States between August 20, 1619, and December 6, 1865. It recognizes their immense suffering and the major role their forced labor played in building the nation and its economy, including work on landmarks like the U.S. Capitol and the White House . The medal would be designed by the Treasury and then placed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture for public display and research.

Key points:

• Who is recognized: People of African descent enslaved in the U.S. from 1619 to 1865.
• What happens: Congress authorizes a gold medal in their honor; it will be displayed at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture and available for research.
• How it’s paid for: The Mint may sell bronze copies to cover production costs; the gold medal is treated as a national medal under federal law, and budget effects are handled under existing budget rules.