Frederick Douglass – A Trumpet for Freedom

Frederick Douglass
1817 – 1895
birthplace — Talbot County , MD

“A Trumpet for Freedom”

As the tall, bearded black man spoke, you could hear a pin drop. When he finished his moving speech, not a dry eye could be found in the entire hall. Many people were troubled to hear about the cruel conditions of slavery. They knew it was bad, but they did not know how often slaves were whipped and killed. Many were surprised to find out that children were taken away from their parents and sold. Frederick Douglass, the greatest anti-slavery speaker of his time, detailed these cruelties and others. Through him, people “experienced” slavery.

Frederick was born a slave in Maryland. He escaped to New York when he was 21 years old. Like many other black people who were able to secure their freedom, he wanted to see his people free, too.

This self-educated man began to speak out against slavery. Frederick became such a well-known leader that he helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to accept black soldiers into the Union Army. His dynamic speeches attracted many followers in America and England.

In 1847, Frederick established the North Star newspaper. He was later named a United States marshall in Washington D. C., and in 1889 he was appointed America’s minister to Haiti.

People are still moved today when they read Frederick Douglass’s powerful speeches. He was truly “a trumpet for freedom.

Jean Baptiste DuSable – Founder of Chicago

Jean Baptiste DuSable
1745 – 1818
birthplace – Haiti

“Founder of Chicago”

Chicago, Illinois, is the third largest city in the United States. But few people know it was founded by a black man, Jean DuSable.

Jean was born in Haiti, the world’s oldest black republic. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he became a fur trader. When the British took over St. Louis, Jean moved to Peoria, Illinois where Native Americans helped him establish a successful trading business.

Jean made many trips to Canada to bring back furs. He always passed a place called Eschikagov that he used as a lookout point. In 1774, he built a cabin there for his family. Other pioneers built stores and homes near his post. The settlement grew into a city that became Chicago.

Many years passed before Jean was credited with the founding of Chicago. In 1968, he was finally recognized as the man who founded one of the great cities of the world.