🏆 July 4 | What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? Free event!

Thursday, July 4th
11am - 12pm
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W Street SE

What to the slave is the Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass famously posed this question to an audience in Rochester, New York, in 1852. In his speech, Douglass pointed out the bitter irony of celebrating freedom in a nation that still allowed slavery to exist.

At 11:00 am on Thursday, July 4, 2019, a professional actor will portray Frederick Douglass and deliver excerpts from his famous "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" speech.

The program will take place from the front porch of Cedar Hill, Douglass's historic home in Anacostia.

Seating will be available, but may be limited. The program will be outdoors. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and water bottles. Free parking is available on-site.

Abbreviated tours of the home will be offered to event attendees.

***Thank you for all who joined us for the Douglass Bicentennial July 4th event. We WILL NOT be staying open beyond our normal operating hours of 9:00am-5:00pm this year.