Celebrating Harriet Tubman Day

See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Each year, on March 10, communities across the globe come together to honor the legacy of Harriet Tubman, a woman whose life epitomized courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to freedom. Harriet Tubman Day serves not only as a commemoration of her extraordinary achievements but also as a reminder of the enduring struggle for equality and justice that continues to resonate with Africans and African Americans worldwide. 

Minty was born about 1822, in Dorchester County, Maryland. Throughout her own life, Araminta “Minty” Ross suffered under the chains of slavery; her parents, Harriet “Rit” Green and Ben Ross were forced into slavery by different families, a manner in which one of them tore the families apart. Minty grew up under the very beatings of slavery and saw the sale of two of her sisters, which violently separated her family. In these experiences, a dire yearning was fostered for freedom and justice. 

It was in that year 1849 that she escaped to Philadelphia, capitalizing on the chance to be free, while leaving her husband, John Tubman, behind, refusing to join the escape. Gaining her freedom, she took her mother’s name, Harriet, to symbolize the birth of a new identity and purpose. But freedom did her little good if her family and others still languished in bondage. So it was with great courage that Tubman made, on approximately 13 different occasions, journeys back into the South bringing around 70 enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad-a secret network of safe houses and abolitionists. With strong faith and very tactical thinking, she became known as “Moses.” 

Though famous for her work on the Underground Railroad, Tubman’s fight against oppression continued during the Civil War years. She served in the Union Army as a cook, nurse, scout, and spy. Indeed, she became the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, liberating more than 700 enslaved individuals. She characterized herself as a soldier-like, master tactician, and a serious person in her dedication to the cause of freedom. 

Benjamin F. Powelson , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In a historic ceremony on Veterans Day in 2024, Harriet Tubman was posthumously bestowed the title of general on Monday. Many gathered at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County, Maryland, for a solemn ceremony that elevated Tubman to one-star brigadier general in the state’s National Guard. Gov. Wes Moore described the occasion as a fantastic day not only for Tubman’s home state but for the whole United States.

• On Harriet Tubman Day, various events reflect on her legacy and its relevance to the contemporary struggles for freedom and equality. These programs aim to educate the public, focus on the broader context of the struggles, and inspire new generations to know the value of working toward positive social justice. 
• Facing her story as they do, theaters and community centers dramatize Tubman’s life and the major tenor of her time through theatrical performances, music, and poetry readings, providing artistic interpretations that resonate with groups of all kinds.
•  Many communities organize service projects, like food drives and mentoring programs, embodying Tubman’s spirit of a life devoted selflessly to others. 
• In our digital age, of course, the virtual occasion, whether it be a webinar or online exhibition, is a community opportunity to reflect on Tubman’s legacy as we all remember her remaining impact. 

For Africans and African Americans, Harriet Tubman’s legacy transcends her historical context, symbolizing the universal struggle against oppression. Her life story serves as a testament to the power of resistance and the enduring quest for human dignity. As we celebrate Harriet Tubman Day, we honor not only her remarkable achievements but also the ongoing journey toward freedom and equality for all.

Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and  Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.