What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

Celebrate Independence Day and the nation's 250^th anniversary with the National Park Service at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site’s annual event, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Hear recitations by a Frederick Douglass Reenactor and the winners of the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, tour Cedar Hill, and participate in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence!

This event is free of charge and does not require registration.

Schedule of Activities:
10:00 a.m. Recitation of excerpts of the Douglass speech by actor Nathan Richardson
10:30 a.m. Recitations by winners of the 2025 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest
11:00 a.m. Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence
11:30 a.m. House Tours begin

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Schedule

Event Type

• Children’s Program
• Guided Tour
• Living History
• Performance
• Talk