What year did John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry occur?

John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry occurred in 1859, a pivotal moment leading up to the American Civil War. This event involved Brown and a group of his supporters attempting to seize a federal armory in Virginia with the goal of inciting a slave revolt. The raid ultimately failed, leading to Brown's capture and trial, where he was executed. This act of armed resistance against slavery intensified national debates about the institution, contributing to the rising tensions between the North and South. Understanding this event is key to grasping the historical context surrounding the Civil War and the struggle over slavery in the United States.