The Stono Rebellion, also known as Cato's Conspiracy, was a significant slave rebellion that took place in the colony of South Carolina in 1739. It is considered one of the largest and most organized slave uprisings in the early colonial period of American history.

The rebellion began on September 9, 1739, when a group of about twenty enslaved Africans gathered near the Stono River, located south of Charleston, and seized weapons and ammunition from a store. They then proceeded to march south towards Spanish Florida, where they hoped to find freedom from slavery.

As they marched, the rebels chanted "Liberty!" and carried a banner that read "Liberty!" in English. Along the way, they recruited more enslaved Africans to join their cause, swelling their numbers to nearly 100. The rebels also engaged in acts of violence, killing several white colonists and burning houses and plantations.

The colonial authorities quickly mobilized a militia to suppress the rebellion. A bloody confrontation ensued, resulting in the deaths of many rebels. Some managed to escape, but most were captured and either executed or sold into further slavery.

The Stono Rebellion had far-reaching consequences. In response to the uprising, the South Carolina legislature passed the Negro Act of 1740, which imposed harsher restrictions on enslaved Africans, including banning the assembly of slaves, prohibiting the education of slaves, and restricting their movement. The rebellion also heightened fears among white colonists about the potential for further slave uprisings, leading to increased repression of enslaved populations in the South.

The Stono Rebellion is remembered as a powerful act of resistance against the brutal institution of slavery and a pivotal moment in the history of African American resistance to oppression. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of enslaved people to fight for their freedom, even in the face of overwhelming odds.