Reading Frederick Douglass

Past event
Jul 2, 2019, 6:30 to 7:30 PM

In 1852, Frederick Douglass, one of our nation's greatest orators and abolitionists, was asked to speak at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In his provocative speech, Douglass said, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." And he asked, "Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?" Douglass's speech remains emotionally powerful and thought-provoking more than a century and a half after he gave it.

The Waterbury Public Library invites all members of the community to join in or witness the fiery, July 5th 1852 speech by Douglass. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm at the Rusty Parker Park. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors in the Steele Community Room. This is a participatory event and copies of the abridged speech will be made available for those that would like to read a portion of the speech.

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