Today in History: Frederick Douglass
Today in History–September 03–the Library of Congress features the escape from slavery of Frederick Douglass on this day in 1838. Born into slavery, Douglass became a renowned abolitionist, journalist, author, and human rights advocate. Learn more about this remarkable man who never ceased advocating for freedom by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources and primary source learning activities related to Frederick Douglass.
Primary sources
- Frederick Douglass Papers at the Library of Congress
- Celebration at Corinthian Hall – What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass 1852
- Featured Image: Frederick Douglass lithograph
- Frederick Douglass image set
- Frederick Douglass Funeral March (sheet music)
- Frederick Douglass on the Meaning of the War
- Books & articles about and by Frederick Douglass
- Frederick Douglass historical newspaper coverage through 1895
- Frederick Douglass historical front-page newspaper coverage
- Contemporary legislation related to Frederick Douglass
Periodical articles by Frederick Douglass
- “Reconstruction” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 18, Issue 110, December 1866
- “An Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage” The Atlantic Monthly Volume 19, Issue 111, January 1867
- “The Color Line” The North American Review Volume 132, Issue 295, June 1881
- “My Escape from Slavery” The Century; a popular quarterly Volume 23, Issue 1, Nov 1881
- “One Destiny” The American Missionary Volume 37, Issue 9, Sept 1883
- “The Future of the Negro” The North American Review Volume 139, Issue 332, July, 1884
- “The Future of the Colored Race” The North American Review Volume 142, Issue 354, May 1886
- “Lynch Law in the South” The North American Review Volume 155, Issue 428, July 1892
Periodical articles about Frederick Douglass
- “Narrative of Frederick Douglass” The Living Age Volume 9, Issue 99, April 4 1846
- “Oration of Frederick Douglass” The American Missionary Volume 39, Issue 6, June 1885
- “Frederick Douglass” The American Missionary Volume 43, Issue 6, June 1889
- “Hon. Frederick Douglass” The American Missionary Volume 49, Issue 1, Jan 1895
- “Death of Frederick Douglass” The American Missionary Volume 49, Issue 4, Apr 1895
Secondary sources
- African-American History Month: Happy Birthday, Frederick Douglass! Library of Congress Blog February 1, 2018
- Frederick Douglass: brief bio The Civil War in America online exhibition
- Frederick Douglass stories from America’s Library
- Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives streaming webcast 2017/02/27
- Frederick Douglass: Free Folklorist Folklife Today blog February 5, 2018
- Frederick Douglass: “I Am A Man” Folklife Today February 14, 2018
- “What, to the American Slave, Is Your 4th of July?” Headlines & Heroes July 15, 2020
Teaching resources
- Collection Connections: Frederick Douglass Papers
- Primary Source Activity: Frederick Douglass & Reconstruction
- Primary Source Activity: Autobiography of Frederick Douglass (My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass)
- Primary Source Activity: The Persuasive Speeches of Frederick Douglass (find items via African Americans in Ohio collection)
- Teaching with the Library of Congress blog posts
- Hearing Frederick Douglass: His Speech on John Brown Library of Congress Blog
- History’s Mysteries: Why Would Someone Refuse to Celebrate the 4th of July? Grade 3
- Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America New York-Historical Society Museum & Library
- Timely Connections: Frederick Douglass & Scientific Racism
- Timely Connections: Frederick Douglass & the Emancipation Memorial