Harriet Tubman was born in slavery in 1820 on the Eastern Shores of Maryland. Her parents Benjamin Ross and Harriet Green, nicknamed her Minty. However, she had eight brothers and sisters but got separated by slavery. She is remembered for her activist prowess in fighting for gender, race, and class equality.
1. Escaped slavery
Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849. She was assigned to a plantation that was easier to escape from without being noticed. Tubman used the Underground Railroad to avoid being seen by the slave catchers. The Railroad entailed secret safe houses and persons who were willing to help slaves escape. The houses were referred to as stations, and the people along as conductors.
2. She was nicknamed Moses
They nicknamed Harriet Tubman Moses since she did not lose any slaves during the escape journey. Just like Moses in the Bible when he led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. She lost none of the slaves during the rescue mission.
3. the First woman to guide an attack in the civil war
A civil war broke between The Union and The Confederate in 1861. If the Union was to win the war, it could be the beginning of slavery in the US. Tubman joined the Union and worked as a nurse, cook, and scout for the soldiers. While at the Union, she spied on the Confederate and provided the Union with information on their supply routes. She once led the Union soldiers on the enemy’s camps, and 750 slaves were rescued.
4. National park sites are dedicated to her
Harriet Tubman has two national parks dedicated to her. The first one is Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park which is found in Maryland. The site, a visitor’s center, interprets Tubman’s past life with clear and informative exhibitions. It also includes the plantation where she was enslaved and the store where she severed the severe head injuries. The second park is the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, found in Auburn, New York. The site tells about her life after slavery, including her house that she donated to become a home for the ill and elderly.
5. She suffered from severe headaches
A heavy object that was being thrown at another slave who was trying to escape hit Harriet Tubman. It resulted in frequent headaches, and she would fall asleep unwillingly. In the sleep, she could experience some vision and dreams, which she believed it was a communication from God.
6. Harriet wore many hats
She was an active advocate of women’s rights. Harriet worked closely with other women like Susan B. Anthony to ensure women had equal rights just as men. In addition, she donated enough money to build the AME Zion church.
7. Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross
I initially knew Harriet Tubman as Araminta Ross. She got married to John Tubman in 1844, where she then adopted her mother’s first name Harriet and her husband’s second name, Tubman.
8. Harriet Tubman underwent brain surgery
The effects of being hit by a heavy object increased, affecting her ability to sleep. In the late 1890s, she found a doctor who was willing to operate her brain. Harriet chose to bite on a bullet rather than receiving anesthesia during the surgery.
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