Norton Celebrates Birthday of Frederick Douglass, D.C. Voting Rights Champion

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated what is recognized as famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass' 206th birthday. Like many enslaved, Douglass did not know his birthday, but he celebrated it on Valentine’s Day. Norton’s D.C. statehood bill would name the 51st state “Washington, Douglass Commonwealth” in honor of Douglass, a longtime D.C. resident committed to the advocacy of equal rights for the District.

A Norton bill placed D.C.'s statue of Douglass in the U.S. Capitol, making D.C. the only jurisdiction with a statue in the Capitol that is not a state. Another Norton bill established a bicentennial commission to plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Douglass. Norton was appointed by then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to serve on the commission.

"Frederick Douglass holds a special place in our country and in the hearts of D.C. residents, who chose his statue to represent the District in the Capitol," Norton said. "This great American statesman, the country's foremost abolitionist, knew where he lived and lent his great renown to equality and freedom for our city and its residents. His historic home in Southeast D.C., Cedar Hill, is a National Historic Site and reminds residents and thousands of tourists annually of Douglass' many contributions and achievements."

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