10. John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859)
Abolitionist John Brown led a daring assault on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to arm enslaved people and ignite a widespread revolt. Though quickly captured, Brown’s raid electrified the nation, deepening sectional divides between North and South and hastening the outbreak of the Civil War. His unwavering conviction and willingness to use force made him a polarizing yet pivotal figure.
