
Northup descendants assembled with Saratoga Springs Mayor O'Connell after presentation of Northup historical marker, July 1999. |
Solomon Northup Day: A Celebration of Freedom
Solomon Northup was born a free man in
Minerva, New York, in 1808. In 1841 he was kidnapped from
Saratoga Springs, leaving behind a wife and three children. He
was held in a slave pen in Washington, DC, and sold into
slavery in Louisiana where he served three masters. Through
the efforts of Samuel Bass, a Canadian, and both black and
white citizens of New York and Louisiana, his freedom was
restored in 1853, after which he returned to Saratoga. In
1999, in recognition of his ordeal and that of other
African-Americans, July 24th was declared Solomon Northup Day
in Saratoga Springs, New York. A commemorative marker and an
exhibition panel were unveiled at a ceremony. Represented were
a number of speakers from the community, clergy, elected
officials and Northup descendants from four states. Northup,
an accomplished violinist, carpenter and writer, published his
autobiography entitled Twelve Years a Slave.
Renée Moore founded and directs this multicultural,
interfaith annual event.
Originally submitted by: John E. Sweeney, Representative (22th District).
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