WASHINGTON -- Some DMV residents chose to celebrate Independence Day at the estate of a famous American: Frederick Douglass.
On July 5th, 1852, Douglass gave a famous speech named, "What to the Slave is the fourth of July?".
The speech highlighted the the ideals of America that promoted freedom all the while keeping millions of slaves in bondage.
At the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Southeast DC, Wednesday night, the National Park Service brought attention to the importance of that speech by having an actor perform it live.
"It kind of parallels to today, too, with a lot of the injustice (that exist)," said actor Darius Wallace. "Yet, we're expected to continue to celebrate certain freedoms or holidays that represent America."
Pya Langley, a National Park Service spokesperson for the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, said the event provides NPS a way to teach the public more about Douglass' beliefs as the nation continues to celebrate the bicentennial of his birth.
"As we continue to celebrate Independence Day throughout America, we must also look back at the nation's history because that's what we celebrate Independence for," she said. "To see how the nation has progressed, and with Frederick Douglass challenging slavery and the freedom for all, in his Fourth of July speech that he gave, we must also look back at how those messages apply today."
