100 Facts About Harriet Tubman: Courage and Activism

Harriet Tubman is one of the most remarkable figures in American history. Born into slavery, she not only escaped to freedom but went on to become a celebrated conductor of the Underground Railroad, a Civil War hero, and an advocate for women's rights. Her legacy has inspired generations of activists and continues to resonate today. In this article, we'll explore 100 fascinating facts about Harriet Tubman, offering a deeper understanding of her remarkable life and accomplishments.

100 Facts About Harriet Tubman: A Legacy of Courage and Activism

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland in 1822.
Her birth name was Araminta Ross, but she later changed her name to Harriet Tubman.
Harriet was one of nine children born to her parents, who were also slaves.
Harriet's mother was of Ashanti heritage from Ghana, and her father was of Mandinka heritage from present-day Guinea.
Harriet's parents were forced to marry different spouses by their slaveholders, which was a common practice during slavery.
Harriet was raised by her mother and grandmother, both of whom were African healers and midwives.
Harriet suffered a severe head injury at the age of 13, which caused her to have seizures and blackouts for the rest of her life.
Harriet was hired out as a domestic servant to a plantation owner at the age of 5.
Harriet was forced to marry a fellow slave named John Tubman in 1844.
Harriet escaped slavery in 1849 and fled to Philadelphia.
Harriet became an abolitionist and joined the Underground Railroad, a network of people and safe houses that helped slaves escape to freedom.
Harriet made at least 13 trips back to the South to help slaves escape to freedom, including her own family members.
Harriet was known as the "Moses of her people" for leading slaves to freedom.
Harriet never lost a single passenger on the Underground Railroad.
Harriet also helped recruit and train other abolitionists to join the Underground Railroad.
During the Civil War, Harriet served as a nurse, cook, and spy for the Union Army.
Harriet was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the war, leading a raid on several plantations that freed over 700 slaves.
Harriet worked for women's suffrage after the war and was a friend of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Harriet married a Union soldier named Nelson Davis in 1869 and adopted a daughter named Gertie.
Harriet suffered from chronic pain and illness later in life, likely due to the head injury she had as a child.
Harriet was a devout Christian and believed that her work on the Underground Railroad was a calling from God.
Harriet was known for her bravery, intelligence, and compassion, and was highly respected by both abolitionists and former slaves.
Harriet was illiterate, but she was a skilled navigator and knew the landscape of the South well.
Harriet was also a skilled herbalist and used natural remedies to treat illnesses and injuries.
Harriet was once offered $40,000 to work as a spy for the Confederacy, but she refused.
Harriet was known for carrying a revolver with her on her expeditions.
Harriet's parents and several siblings were eventually freed from slavery after the Civil War.
Harriet's sister, Rachel, was sold to a slave owner in Alabama and was never seen again.
Harriet's niece, Kessiah, escaped from slavery with Harriet's help and later became a nurse during the Civil War.
Harriet's second husband, Nelson Davis, was a veteran of the 8th United States Colored Infantry Regiment.
Harriet suffered from vivid nightmares and flashbacks due to her experiences as a slave and as an Underground Railroad conductor.
Harriet suffered from seizures and narcolepsy later in life, which some scholars believe may have been caused by her head injury.
Harriet was one of the most famous and celebrated African American women of the 19th century, and her legacy has continued to inspire generations of activists and leaders.
Harriet worked alongside other prominent abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad helped lead to the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which made it illegal to aid runaway slaves.
Harriet also worked with the Union Army to help free slaves and disrupt Confederate supply lines during the Civil War.
Harriet's famous quote, "I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger," highlights her commitment to the safety and success of her passengers on the Underground Railroad.
Harriet's personal experiences with slavery and oppression gave her a unique perspective on the struggles of African Americans in the 19th century.
Harriet's actions helped shift public opinion and increase support for the abolitionist movement.
Harriet's leadership and bravery continue to be celebrated and recognized by historians, scholars, and activists around the world.
Harriet was a suffragist and believed in the rights of women to vote and participate in political processes.
Harriet also believed in the importance of education and worked to establish schools for freed slaves.
Harriet suffered from physical and emotional trauma throughout her life due to her experiences as a slave and as an Underground Railroad conductor.
Harriet's legacy has been celebrated in numerous books, films, and other forms of media, including the recent film "Harriet" (2019).
Harriet's image has been featured on the US $20 bill since 2020, making her the first African American woman to be featured on US currency.
Harriet's childhood home in Maryland has been preserved as a national historical site and is open to the public.
Harriet's life and work have inspired countless individuals, including other freedom fighters and civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King Jr.
Harriet's role in the abolitionist movement was not widely recognized during her lifetime, but her legacy has been celebrated and revered in the decades since her death.
Harriet's experiences with slavery and oppression highlight the systemic and institutionalized nature of racism in the United States.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad was dangerous and required immense bravery and courage.
Harriet's leadership and determination helped pave the way for future generations of activists and leaders in the fight for civil rights.
Harriet's contributions to American history have been celebrated by numerous organizations and institutions, including the National Women's History Museum and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center.
Harriet's life and work continue to be studied and celebrated in academic circles around the world.
Harriet's story highlights the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity and oppression.
Harriet's commitment to the fight for freedom and justice for all people has inspired countless individuals and movements throughout history.
Harriet's story is a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of even the most difficult challenges.
Harriet's life and legacy serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice in the United States and around the world.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad was often dangerous and required a deep understanding of the complex social and political landscape of the time.
Harriet's leadership and bravery continue to be celebrated by scholars, activists, and leaders in the fight for civil rights and social justice.
Harriet's story highlights the important role that individual actions and leadership can play in creating social change and advancing human rights.
Harriet's legacy has been celebrated in numerous forms of art, including paintings.
Harriet's first husband, John Tubman, was a free black man.
After her escape from slavery, Harriet changed her name from Araminta Ross to Harriet Tubman.
Harriet suffered from seizures and headaches for the rest of her life, likely as a result of a head injury sustained during her time as a slave.
Harriet was one of the few women to lead a military expedition during the Civil War, leading a raid on the Combahee River in South Carolina in 1863.
Harriet's raid on the Combahee River freed over 700 slaves.
After the Civil War, Harriet settled in Auburn, New York, where she purchased a home and established the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged.
Harriet's home in Auburn, New York, is now a National Historic Landmark.
Harriet was a devout Christian and credited her faith with giving her the strength and courage to continue her work.
Harriet was known to sing hymns and spirituals as a way to communicate with other slaves and signal danger or safety.
Harriet worked as a cook, nurse, and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Harriet was paid $200 for her services during the Civil War, but did not receive a pension until 1899.
Harriet's grave is located in Auburn, New York, and is a popular tourist attraction.
Harriet's birthplace in Maryland is also a popular tourist attraction.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad was illegal, and she faced significant risks and challenges as a result.
Harriet's rescue missions were often conducted in the dead of night to minimize the risk of discovery.
Harriet's missions often required her to travel long distances on foot, sometimes in harsh weather conditions.
Harriet used a variety of tactics to help slaves escape, including disguises, secret signals, and coded messages.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad inspired other abolitionists to take action and helped shift public opinion in favor of the abolitionist cause.
Harriet's leadership and bravery were recognized by her contemporaries, who often referred to her as "Moses," in reference to the biblical figure who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
Harriet's story has been adapted into numerous plays, films, and television shows, including the television series "Underground" and the Broadway musical "Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People."
Harriet was born into slavery in 1822, and died of pneumonia in 1913 at the age of 91.
Harriet was the second youngest of nine children born to her parents, Ben and Rit Ross.
Harriet's parents were both slaves, and their ownership changed hands several times during Harriet's childhood.
Harriet's father, Ben Ross, was a skilled woodsman and taught Harriet valuable survival skills that she would later use during her missions with the Underground Railroad.
Harriet's mother, Rit Ross, was a cook and weaver who was often forced to work long hours in harsh conditions.
Harriet was married twice in her lifetime, first to John Tubman and later to Nelson Davis.
Harriet's second husband, Nelson Davis, was a veteran of the Union Army.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad was not without risk, and she narrowly avoided capture and punishment on several occasions.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad helped lead to the freedom of over 300 slaves.
Harriet was a skilled navigator and was able to use the stars to guide her during her missions with the Underground Railroad.
Harriet was a strong advocate for women's rights and worked closely with suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Harriet was the first woman to lead an armed assault during the Civil War, which she did during the Combahee River raid.
Harriet was known for her toughness and resilience, and was said to have once threatened to shoot a slave who wanted to turn back during an escape mission.
Harriet was an expert in guerrilla warfare and taught her tactics to other abolitionists during the Civil War.
Harriet's work with the Underground Railroad was dangerous, and she once helped rescue a slave who had been whipped so severely that her back was covered in scars.
Harriet was a fierce opponent of slavery and once said, "I never ran my train off the track, and I never lost a passenger."
Harriet's legacy has been celebrated in numerous ways, including the creation of a Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York.
Harriet Tubman's face will be featured on the new $20 bill, making her the first woman to appear on U.S. paper currency in over a century.
Harriet Tubman's birth name was Araminta Ross, but she changed it to Harriet Tubman when she escaped slavery and began her work with the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman's heroic actions and dedication to the abolitionist cause helped to inspire and mobilize a generation of activists who fought for racial equality and social justice in the years following the Civil War.

Harriet Tubman's story is one of courage, resilience, and unyielding dedication to the cause of freedom. She risked her life time and again to help others escape from slavery and fought tirelessly for a better world. Her legacy continues to inspire and challenge us to this day. By exploring 100 facts about Harriet Tubman, we can gain a deeper appreciation for her extraordinary achievements and the enduring impact of her work.