Marking Frederick Douglass’s 194th birthday

The famous leader of the abolitionist movement died in February 1895 at age 77. The National Park Service hosts celebratory events on Douglass’s birthday at his estate in Southeast Washington.

5 Seconds

00:00

Feb. 11, 2012

Actor Fred Morsell, in character as Frederick Douglass, stands on the grounds of Douglass’s historic estate before addressing visitors in celebration of the 194th birthday of the abolitionist leader.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Circa 1850

A portrait of Frederick Douglass.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographic Division

Feb. 11, 2012

In celebration of the 194th birthday of Frederick Douglass, the National Park Service holds events at Douglass’s house, which sits atop a hill in Anacostia.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Actor Fred Morsell gets into costume as he prepares to deliver one of Douglass's speeches to park visitors during celebrations for Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Andrea Blackford, in period costume, makes her way down the front steps of Douglass’s house on a hill in Anacostia during celebrations for Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Members of the Washington Revels, a singing group, gather on the front porch of Douglass’s historic house during celebrations of Douglass’s 194th birthday. From left: Gregory Magruder, Tia Dolet, Christina Wilson, Harold Blackford, Umoja Rufaro, Phyllis Henderson, Andrea Blackford and Keith Moore.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Enimini Ekong, a park ranger, tutors young visitors to the historic house during celebrations for Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Actor Fred Morsell, right, in character as Frederick Douglass, gives a snippet of one of Douglass’s famous speeches out back of the historic home before addressing visitors in celebration of Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Ahriana Merryweather, 9, took first place in an oratorical contest as part of the celebration of the 194th birthday of Frederick Douglass.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Brayden Wood, 8, of Upper Marlboro, one of the winners of the Frederick Douglass National Historical Site's oratorical competition, poses for a photograph in front of the historic Douglass home in Southeast Washington. He performed an excerpt from Douglass's famous speech, "Fighting Rebels With Only One Hand.”

Sonya Doctorian / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Attiyah Jenkins, 15, of Silver Spring, one of the winners of the Frederick Douglass National Historical Site's oratorical competition, poses for a photograph behind the historic Douglass home in Southeast Washington. She performed an excerpt from Douglass's famous speech, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro," which he delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, N.Y.

Sonya Doctorian / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

The crowd applauds for the winners of the Frederick Douglass National Historical Site's oratorical competition on the grounds of the historic Douglass home in Southeast Washington.

Sonya Doctorian / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Ashley Brown, 8, delivers one of Douglass's famous speeches as part of an oratorical contest during celebrations for Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, including Andrea Blackford, left, sing "Oh Freedom" at the Frederick Douglass National Historical Site's 194th celebration of Douglass's birth. The event was held in a tent on the grounds of the historic Douglass home in Southeast Washington.

Sonya Doctorian / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

The musical group the Washington Revels performs in celebration of the 194th birthday of Frederick Douglass. From left are musical director Andrea Blackford, Christina Wilson, Umoja Rufaro, Tia Dolet, Phyllis Henderson and Keith Moore.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Actor Fred Morsell portrays Frederick Douglass and delivers historic speeches to visitors as part of a celebration by the Park Service of Douglass’s 194th birthday.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Feb. 11, 2012

Actor Fred Morsell, in character as Douglass, right, waits in front of the historic home before addressing visitors in celebration of the 194th birthday of Frederick Douglass.

Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

Editor’s choice: Reader-submitted photos

Some of the Post’s top picks of snapshots taken and submitted by readers.

HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.