Struggle & Resistance Achievement & Excellence

July 1852

"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

Frederick Douglass delivers the most searing abolitionist speech of the era, exposing the hypocrisy of celebrating liberty in a slaveholding nation.

Events

July 5, 1852
"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
Frederick Douglass delivers the most searing abolitionist speech of the era, exposing the hypocrisy of celebrating liberty in a slaveholding nation.

Resources from this period

Primary sources·1

Primary source· Primary

"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (1852, full text)

Frederick Douglass

The complete annotated text of Douglass's 1852 Rochester address.

Speeches·2

Speech· Primary

What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? (annotated text)

Frederick Douglass

Full annotated text of the speech for classroom use.

Speech· Primary

"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" — full text

Frederick Douglass

The complete text of Douglass's July 5, 1852 address, with historical context.