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1968: Kerner Commission Documents a Divided Society 1942: Detroit Rebellion an Omen of Deadly Riots 1988: Debi Thomas Medals at Winter Olympics 1870: Political Deal Brings End to Reconstruction 1870: Hiram Revels Becomes First Black U.S. Senator 1864: Rebecca Lee Crumpler Becomes a Physician 1868: W.E.B DuBois Born in Massachusetts 1988: First Grammy Awarded in Rap Category 1965: Malcolm X Assassinated in New York City 1895: Anti-Slavery Crusader Frederick Douglass Dies
February 20, 1895
Equal-rights Crusader Frederick Douglass Dies
Frederick Douglass was a leader of the anti-slavery movement in the years leading up to the Civil War and an ardent supporter of women's rights in the post-war period. He was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. His birth name was Frederick Bailey. In 1838, he escaped to New Bedford, Mass. and took the name Frederick Douglass. He quickly became involved in the abolitionist movement, advancing the cause as an orator, writer, editor and publisher. Douglass died on this date in 1895.