By Rayna Reid Rayford ·Updated February 14, 2024
This Valentine’s Day, ESSENCE wants to make sure that you’re also celebrating the birthday of abolitionist icon Frederick Douglass.
“Like many of those born into slavery, Frederick Douglass had no idea of the date of his birth.” But during his lifetime Douglass decided that he would celebrate on February 14. But what made Douglass choose Valentine’s Day?
In 1877, Frederick Douglass spoke with Captain Thomas Auld,