On this day, 17 September 1849, legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman and her brothers, Ben and Henry, escaped from slavery in Maryland. After the escape, Ben and Henry decided to go back, which essentially made Tubman return as well. But shortly after, Harriet Tubman escaped once more and travelled to Philadelphia. In the years following her escape, she worked tirelessly to save money to return and free more enslaved people: rescuing around 70 people in 13 missions through the underground railroad. Tubman later helped John Brown recruit fighters for an insurrection at Harpers Ferry. During the civil war, Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed attack during the conflict, playing a leading role in the Combahee River raid in which over 750 enslaved people were rescued. Later in life Tubman remained active active in the women’s rights movement until her death in 1913.
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