July 5
Frederick Douglass Delivers "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his powerful oration "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" in Rochester, New York. The speech challenged American hypocrisy, asking how a nation celebrating freedom could maintain the institution of slavery. It remains one of the greatest speeches in American history.
Frederick Douglass Delivers "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" Speech
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass addressed a Fourth of July celebration in Rochester, New York, asking: "What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?" The speech is one of the most powerful indictments of American hypocrisy on the subject of slavery.
Arthur Ashe Wins Wimbledon
On July 5, 1975, Arthur Ashe defeated Jimmy Connors in four sets to win the Wimbledon singles championship, becoming the first Black man to do so. Ashe was also the first Black player selected to the U.S. Davis Cup team and later became an activist for civil rights and AIDS awareness.