US EditionWhy Frederick Douglass Met with His Former Enslaver Thomas Auld
- On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous speech ‘What to the Slave Is Your Fourth of July?’ criticizing American hypocrisy and slavery.
- Born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland, around 1818, Douglass escaped bondage in 1838 and rose to become a leading abolitionist advocate.
- Douglass declared that no nation practices more 'shocking and bloody' cruelty than the U.S., condemning slavery's brutality and hypocrisy with vivid language.
- Douglass’s 1852 Rochester address predicted slavery’s downfall and offered hope with, 'I do not despair of this country,' galvanizing abolitionist momentum.
- Douglass's 1852 speech remains relevant today, with recent protests in Ferguson and attacks on DEI highlighting ongoing racial justice struggles.
12 Articles
12 Articles
July Fourth celebrations in Boston - The Boston Globe
In Greater Boston, the Fourth of July includes a number of annual traditions: music at the Hatch Shell, the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, and the reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” See photos of the Fourth’s events and celebrations from around the city.
‘The Best Fourth Of July Speech In American History’ … Was Delivered On The Fifth Of July
This Fourth of July—and fifth!—remember Frederick Douglass’ cry for freedom. Courtesy/Everett Historical/Shutterstock By James West Davidson slate.com In the wake of the 2015 Charleston shooting, James West Davidson revisited the meaning of patriotic Fourth of July speeches and their purpose. The best, he argues, was given by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852. The original article is reprinted below. The most remarkable Independence Day oration…
“What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?”: James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass’s Historic Speech
We begin our July Fourth special broadcast with the words of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, Douglass gave one of his most famous speeches, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” He was addressing the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The late actor James Earl Jones read the historic address during a performance of Voic
The Victoria Advocate
What to the slave is the Fourth of July?
Editor’s note: Below are some excerpts from a speech on the meaning of the Fourth of July delivered by Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1852. Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon…
‘Hideous and revolting’ – Frederick Douglass on U.S. slavery
The following excerpts are from the powerful speech entitled “What to the slave is 4th of July,” made by Frederick Douglass, the great African-American abolitionist who escaped from slavery, at an independence day rally in Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852. In light of Trump’s racist attacks
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
