Feb 11 | Celebrate Frederick Douglass' 194th Birthday

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site          News Release

Release date:      Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Contact: Julie Kutruff, Eastern District Manager, 202-426-5961

Celebrate Frederick Douglass’ 194^th Birthday

Washington, D.C. — Come celebrate with the National Park Service (NPS), the 194^th birthday of Frederick Douglass on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (NHS).  The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m. The Frederick Douglass NHS is located at 1411 W Street, S.E. The event is free and open to the public.

Frederick Douglass’ birthday will be celebrated with period music by “Washington Revels” and a reenactment of the great orator, by actor Fred Morsell. Morsell has also performed as Frederick Douglass in the CBS Bicentennial production, “We, The Women,” as well as at Harpers Ferry and Women’s Rights National Historic Parks, and Gettysburg National Military Park. Take part in a spirited discussion on Frederick Douglass, moderated by Edna Greene Medford, Professor of History Ph.D. Dr. Medford specializes in nineteenth-century African American history. There will also be a live broadcast from New Bedford Whaling National Historic Site.  Douglass lived in the Massachusetts seaside town after his escape from slavery.

During the opening ceremony that begins at 10:00 a.m., Ambassador Luis CdeBaca will deliver keynote remarks to commemorate the great nineteenth-century activist. Ambassador CdeBaca was appointed by President Obama to coordinate U.S. government activities in the global fight against contemporary forms of slavery. Also, the winning students of the Frederick Douglass NHS’s oratorical contest will receive recognition of their accomplishments and will recite their award winning Frederick Douglass’ speeches.

Born into slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 1818, Frederick Douglass escaped to spend his life fighting for justice and equality for all people. His tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity continue to inspire and sustain people today. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/frdo/

Frederick Douglass NHS is one of several park sites that make up National Capital Parks-East (NCP-East).  NCP-East offers a wide array of historic, cultural, and recreational areas that are part of Washington, D.C. and its eastern environs.  The park is comprised of over 8,000 acres of federal land, ranging from community parks and National Historic Sites to unique wetland ecosystems, meadows, and mature hardwood forests.

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