Harriet Tubman was a brave conductor on the Underground Railroad, a secret network helping enslaved people escape to freedom. She returned to Maryland at least 13 times to guide over 70 people to safety. Learn how this amazing American hero earned the nickname 'Moses'!
What if someone was so brave that they kept going back into danger again and again to save their friends and family? That’s exactly what the amazing Harriet Tubman did!
Harriet Tubman was one of the bravest people in American history! Born Araminta Ross around March 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, she grew up enslaved, meaning she was treated like property. Even though life was incredibly hard, she dreamed of freedom. In 1849, she made the terrifying journey herself to escape slavery and reach the free state of Pennsylvania. But she didn't just stay safe—she became a legendary hero known as a conductor on the secret Underground Railroad!
Mira says:
"Wow, going back into danger after finding freedom takes unbelievable courage! Harriet Tubman truly proves that one person can change the world with bravery and a big heart."
What Was the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad wasn't an actual train with tracks and a conductor in a hat! It was a secret network of safe houses, hidden paths, and kind people who helped enslaved people escape from the South to freedom in the North or even Canada. Think of it like a secret spy mission that used code words and hidden clues!
Harriet Tubman became one of its most famous 'conductors.' A conductor's job was to guide the freedom seekers safely from one safe house, or 'station,' to the next, traveling mostly at night under the stars. She was super careful and secretive about her routes and the people she trusted.
Mind-Blowing Fact!
Harriet Tubman’s birth name was Araminta Ross. When she was about thirteen, she changed her first name to Harriet, which was her mother’s name, and took her husband’s last name, Tubman, after she married in 1844!
Harriet Tubman's Amazing Feats of Bravery
Harriet’s courage seemed endless! After escaping, she returned to Maryland at least 13 times over the next decade. Imagine sneaking back into a place where you were once held captive—over and over again!
On these dangerous trips, she guided about 70 enslaved people to safety, including her own parents. She was so successful that she earned the incredible nickname "Moses"—just like the biblical figure who led his people to freedom!
Trips to the South to rescue others
She personally guided to freedom
Led the first armed military operation by a woman in the US
Freed during the Combahee River Raid
How Did Harriet Tubman Survive So Many Dangerous Trips?
Harriet had to be smart and use everything she learned from her difficult life to keep her passengers safe. She knew the terrain, and she never traveled when people expected it.
Traveling in Secret
She mostly traveled during the winter months when the nights were longer and people spent more time indoors, making it easier to hide. She used the North Star to guide her way north and always traveled under the cover of darkness.
Staying Strong
Harriet was known to carry a pistol, but she used it more to keep people moving forward than for fighting! If someone got scared and wanted to turn back, which would put everyone at risk, she insisted they keep going. She famously said, 'I never lost a passenger.'
💡 Did You Know?
When Harriet was a child, an angry overseer threw a heavy metal weight at another enslaved person, but it accidentally hit Harriet’s head! This injury caused her to have seizures and vivid dreams for the rest of her life, which she often believed were visions from God.
🎯 Quick Quiz!
What was Harriet Tubman's famous nickname, inspired by a biblical leader?
What Else Did This Incredible Hero Do?
Harriet Tubman’s work for freedom didn't stop when the Civil War started in 1861! She joined the Union Army, helping the North fight to end slavery.
- Nurse and Cook: She cared for sick and wounded soldiers using her knowledge of natural medicines.
- Scout and Spy: She gathered important information about the enemy's camps and supplies.
- Military Leader: In 1863, she helped plan and lead the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina, which freed over 700 enslaved people—making her the first woman to lead an armed military operation in the United States!
After the war, Harriet settled in Auburn, New York, where she continued to fight for fairness, becoming a champion for women's right to vote (women's suffrage). She even helped open a home for aged and poor African Americans in 1908, showing she cared for her community until the very end of her long life. She passed away on March 10, 1913, leaving behind a legacy of unbelievable courage for kids today to learn about!
Questions Kids Ask About American History
Keep Exploring History's Heroes!
Harriet Tubman showed us that courage isn't about being fearless; it’s about being terrified but choosing to do the right thing anyway! Her story is a powerful reminder that every single person has the power to make a huge, positive difference in the world. What heroic thing will you do today?
