Harriet Tubman Day
Observed every year on March 10 in the United States, Harriet Tubman Day honors the life and legacy of the courageous abolitionist.
Harriet Tubman is known for helping enslaved people find freedom, and Harriet Tubman Day is a legal observance in New York and popularly acknowledged in Maryland, Tubman's birthplace.
It is not a federal holiday even though it is an official observance, and so businesses, offices, and schools work as per usual.
Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10, and that is why March 10 was chosen as this observance.
The History of Harriet Tubman Day
Harriet Tubman Day became an official observance in 1990 when the United States Congress passed a joint resolution.
Proclamation 6107 was signed by President George H.W. Bush on March 9, 1990, and hence March 10 was officially declared as Harriet Tubman Day.
The state of New York started legally observing the day in 2003, and leaders in Maryland worked to make March 10 an annual day of remembrance.
Special events are held to honor Tubman's legacy and contributions. The Harriet Tubman Museum and Discovery Center had its grand opening on Harriet Tubman Day in 2017, in Cambridge, Maryland.
President Barack Obama also designated land in Dorchester County, Maryland, as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park to preserve her story and the history of the Underground Railroad.
Who Was Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was born in Maryland around 1822. Born into slavery, her birth name was Araminta Ross.
She escaped slavery and gained freedom but returned to the South many times to help other people escape too.
After about thirteen wild and dangerous trips, she successfully helped seventy people gain freedom, including family and friends.
She later came to be known as "Moses of her people" because of her bravery and leadership.
Tubman was a key figure in the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved people reach freedom in northern states and Canada.
During the American Civil War, she worked for the Union Army as a cook, nurse, scout, and spy. She became the first woman to lead an armed military expedition in the war. The raid at Combahee Ferry freed more than 700 enslaved people.
After the war, she lived in Auburn, New York. She cared for her parents and supported women’s voting rights. She remained active in the women’s suffrage movement until her health declined.
Observing Harriet Tubman Day
Harriet Tubman Day is observed every year with different community events and educational programs.
Maryland, Tubman's birthplace, hosts ceremonies at the state capitol in Annapolis, where awards, lectures, and official proclamations are part of the celebrations.
In Auburn, New York, where Tubman resided, local leaders work on issuing proclamations and organizing remembrance programs.
Churches also honor her. The Episcopal Church commemorates her in its calendar of saints.
Schools may teach students about slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the importance of standing up for justice.
Why Harriet Tubman Day Matters
Harriet Tubman Day is not just about remembering history.
It is about recognizing the courage of one woman who risked her life again and again to fight for freedom.
Her story reminds people that change is possible, even in the darkest times.
The day encourages Americans to reflect on equality, human rights, and the importance of helping others.
Harriet Tubman’s life continues to inspire generations, and March 10 serves as a powerful reminder that bravery and determination can change the course of history.
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