African American History Month

Harriet Tubman

Life as a slave
Although they are not sure exactly what year but assume that Harriet Ross was born into slavery in 1820, in Dorchester, Maryland. She was raised under harsh conditions, and was whipped even as a small child. At the age of 12 she was seriously injured by a hit to the head, inflicted by a white man for refusing to help tie up a man who had attempted escape. At the age of 25, she married John Tubman, a free African American. Five years later, she was afraid she would be sold south, so she made her escape.

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Tubman returned to Maryland to rescue some of her family members and others. During a ten-year span she made 19 trips into the South and rescued 300 people to freedom in the North. Tales were told that she had much determination to protect those who she saved. She had many beliefs that God would aid her efforts, and threatened to shoot anyone who thought to turn back. Out of all the trips and all the people she never lost a life. By 1856, Tubman's capture would have brought a $40,000 reward from the South.

Harriet Tubman was an African American whose daring rescues helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom. She became the most famous leader of the underground railroad, which helped slaves escape to the free states or to Canada. African Americans called her Moses, after the Biblical figure who led the Jews from Egypt. She did not only free slaves she was a spy in the civil war and also raised money for African American schools. She is a woman who paved the way for many African Americans to be free and accomplish what they have today.

(not sure if this goes good here or at the beginning? let me know)

A reward poster for runaway slaves from 1847



Sheet music from "Go down, Moses (Let my people go!)"
She was called Moses (of her people)!

Map of Underground Railroad Routes