Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, later Frederick Douglass, is born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland; he chose February 14 as his birthday.
At a Glance
- Date
- 14 February 1818
- Location
- Talbot County, Maryland
- Key people
- Frederick Douglass
- Category
- Abolition & Slavery
- Source
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) · National Park Service
What It Meant Then
He became the era's foremost Black abolitionist, orator, and writer.
What It Means Now
Douglass is among the most quoted figures in American history on freedom and citizenship.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Frederick Douglass Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/frederick-douglass-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Frederick Douglass Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/frederick-douglass-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Frederick Douglass Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/frederick-douglass-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.