đź“ŤDiary date TUESDAY 4th AUGUST – 10am – outside the Baptist Church, Howard Street, North Shields. đź“Ť
The remarkable legacy of abolitionist, writer and freedom fighter Frederick Douglass will be celebrated in North Shields with the unveiling of a Blue Plaque marking the 180th anniversary of his visit to the town.
The unveiling ceremony will begin at 10am with an introduction from David Young of the North Shields Heritology Project, followed by the official unveiling by Justine King, Education Coordinator for Show Racism the Red Card.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 19th-century America, Douglass was born into slavery on a Maryland plantation in 1818. Although he escaped to freedom in 1838, he remained legally enslaved when he travelled to Britain and Ireland to campaign against slavery.
During his time in the North East, Douglass spoke to packed audiences about the realities of slavery and the abolitionist movement. Later that year, his legal freedom was purchased by Newcastle-born sisters-in-law Anna and Ellen Richardson, enabling him to return to the United States as a free man.
The public are welcome to attend.
The North Shields Heritology Project 