This Day in History: Fredrick Douglas escapes slavery September 3, 1838

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818.

On September 3, 1838, Fredrick Douglass escaped enslavement when a young free black woman, who he later married, bought him a train ticket.

He boarded the train dressed as a sailor and rode into freedom.

A self- taught scholar, Douglass went on to become a writer and orator

He was an abolitionist, embraced women’s rights, and eventually served in federal office under five presidents before he died in 1895.