America 250: Presidential Message Celebrating the Life of Harriet Tubman

Today, we honor the indomitable life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, the fearless freedom fighter, whose courage and sacrifice liberated scores of men and women from the chains of bondage and left an indelible mark on our national story.

Born into slavery in Maryland in 1822, Tubman endured horrific abuse and constant hardship before escaping around the age of 27.  Guided by her faith in God and unwavering determination, she fled north to freedom in Pennsylvania—yet, freedom for herself alone was not enough.  For almost a decade, she repeatedly returned to the South as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, risking capture and death each time she crossed the Mason-Dixon Line.

Traveling mostly by night and often during the frigid months of winter, she navigated through dense wilderness and hazardous terrain by following the North Star, time and again shepherding enslaved men, women, and children toward the light of liberty in free states.  Nicknamed “Moses,” Tubman carried out more than a dozen rescue missions and led nearly 70 people out of captivity, including members of her own family.  Later in life, she reflected with quiet pride that she had “never ran my train off the track” and “never lost a passenger.”

When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Tubman again returned to the frontlines in the battle for freedom.  She served the Union as a nurse caring for displaced families and wounded soldiers and later used her vast knowledge of secret routes and uncharted terrain to provide critical intelligence to Union forces as a spy.  After the war, she continued to care for those in need throughout her community.

Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10, 1913, after a lifetime devoted to the belief that every person is endowed by God with inherent dignity and the unalienable right to freedom.  As we celebrate her life and legacy, my Administration remains committed to advancing Tubman’s vision for a Nation that is strengthened by unity, justice, and the blessings of liberty.  Today, in her honor, we renew our resolve to uphold the courage, conviction, and faith that she lived by and that have defined our Nation for 250 glorious years.