Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born as Araminta Ross, she was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1822. She was one of nine children born to Harriet Green and Benjamin Ross. Despite the harsh conditions of slavery, Harriet was a resilient and determined person who would go on to achieve great things in her life.
As a child, Harriet was nicknamed “Minty”. She was known to be a deeply religious person and learned about the Bible from her mother. In her teenage years, Harriet suffered a severe head injury while trying to defend another slave from an angry overseer. The injury left her with seizures and headaches that would plague her for the rest of her life.
In 1849, Harriet escaped slavery and made her way to Philadelphia. She became involved in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom. Harriet became known as “Moses” because, like the biblical figure, she led her people to freedom. She never lost a single passenger in all her journeys.
Harriet guided at least 70 slaves to freedom during her career as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. She was also an activist in the women’s suffrage movement, advocating for the right to vote for women.
During the American Civil War, Harriet worked as a Union scout and spy. She was the first woman to lead an armed assault, leading a raid on plantations along the Combahee River in South Carolina that freed over 750 slaves.
After the war, Harriet settled in Auburn, New York, where she bought a house for her parents after helping them to escape from the south. She also married John Tubman in 1844.
Harriet Tubman’s legacy is one of courage, determination, and resilience. She faced incredible challenges in her life but never gave up on her quest for freedom and justice. Her story continues to inspire people all over the world to this day.
The Fascinating Life of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman, an African American abolitionist, is known for her remarkable efforts in leading hundreds of slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. However, the most interesting fact about her is that she was given the nickname “Moses” after the prophet Moses in the Bible who led his people to freedom. This was due to the fact that she never lost a single passenger in all of her journeys to free slaves, making her a symbol of hope and perseverance for many. Her legacy as a courageous and determined leader in the fight against slavery continues to inspire people around the world.
10 Fun Facts About Harriet Tubman
Here are 10 fun facts about Harriet Tubman:
1. Harriet Tubman was born in Maryland in 1822 with the name Araminta Ross. She changed her name to Harriet after marrying John Tubman.
2. As an adolescent, Tubman suffered a severe head injury when a slave owner threw a metal weight at another slave and accidentally hit her instead. The injury caused her to have seizures and headaches for the rest of her life.
3. In 1849, Tubman escaped slavery and fled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She subsequently made 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the Underground Railroad.
4. Tubman was nicknamed “Moses” because she led so many enslaved people to freedom, just like the biblical figure.
5. She never lost a single person she led to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She used various tactics, such as disguises and secret codes, to avoid detection.
6. During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a nurse, cook, and spy for the Union Army. She also became the first woman to lead an armed assault during the war and guided a group of black soldiers on a raid that freed over 750 slaves.
7. Tubman was a suffragist and worked alongside Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to advocate for women’s rights.
8. She was also a humanitarian and opened a home for the elderly in Auburn, New York, in 1908.
9. In 2020, it was announced that Tubman’s image will appear on the U.S. $20 bill, making her the first woman and first person of color to appear on U.S. paper currency.
10. Tubman’s legacy continues to inspire people around the world, and she is remembered as a courageous and determined leader who fought for freedom and equality for all.
Interesting Facts About Harriet Tubman for Kids
Harriet Tubman is an American historical figure who is known for her bravery and heroism as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to freedom. Here are some interesting facts about Harriet Tubman that kids might find fascinating:
– Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland in the early 1820s, but she escaped from slavery in 1849 and went on to help many other slaves escape as well.
– Harriet Tubman was known as “Minty” when she was young, and she was often hired out as a laborer or a nursemaid to other families.
– Harriet Tubman suffered a head injury when she was a teenager, which caused her to experience seizures and other health problems for the rest of her life.
– Harriet Tubman became a devout Christian as a young woman, and she believed that God had called her to help free slaves from bondage.
– Harriet Tubman made 19 trips back to the South to help slaves escape to freedom, and she never lost a single passenger on the Underground Railroad.
– Harriet Tubman also worked as a spy and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War, and she helped free hundreds of slaves by leading a raid on a plantation in South Carolina.
– Harriet Tubman was a suffragette and worked alongside Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to fight for women’s rights.
– Harriet Tubman died in 1913 at the age of 91, but her legacy as a freedom fighter and human rights activist lives on to this day.
Five Accomplishments of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is a renowned figure in American history, and there are numerous accomplishments to her name. Here are five of her major accomplishments:
1. Harriet Tubman made a daring escape from slavery when she was in her twenties, traveling over 100 miles to reach freedom in the North.
2. She served as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad for 11 years, helping to guide and transport hundreds of other slaves to freedom.
3. Harriet Tubman guided at least 70 slaves to freedom, risking her own life and safety in the process.
4. During the American Civil War, she worked as a Union scout and spy, gathering intelligence on Confederate forces and leading a raid that freed over 700 slaves.
5. Harriet Tubman was a prominent activist and advocate for women’s suffrage, working alongside other leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to fight for equal rights for women.
Conclusion
Harriet Tubman was an extraordinary woman who overcame the odds and made a significant impact on American history. Her bravery and determination in escaping slavery and then leading others to freedom through the Underground Railroad is truly remarkable. She also played a vital role in the Civil War as a Union spy and scout. Her life and accomplishments serve as an inspiration to many, and her legacy continues to be celebrated and honored to this day. Harriet Tubman’s unwavering commitment to justice and equality serves as a reminder of the power of one person to make a difference in the world.
