September 3, 1838 | Frederick Douglass Escapes Slavery

Frederick Douglass
One of America’s greatest orators Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) escaped from slavery to freedom on September, 3 1838. Douglas while dressed in a sailor’s uniform to conceal his identity, traveled from Maryland by train, steam ferry, steamboat and foot to New York City and freedom in less than 24 hours. Born a slave, Douglass after escaping slavery became one of the world’s foremost abolitionist and human rights leaders. Later in life he was named Minister-Resident and Consul-General to Haiti on July 1, 1889. Douglass was the first African American to have a position that high in the United States Government.
![By Samuel J. Miller; American, 1822-1888 (The Art Institute of Chicago) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Frederick Douglass by Samuel J Miller, 1847-52](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Frederick_Douglass_by_Samuel_J_Miller%2C_1847-52.jpg)
Frederick Douglass by Samuel J Miller, 1847-52