The City of Auburn has officially proclaimed March 10, 2025, as Harriet Tubman Day, recognizing the abolitionist’s lifelong dedication to freedom, equality, and humanitarian service.
Mayor James N. Giannettino Jr. issued the proclamation on March 6, highlighting Tubman’s historic contributions to Auburn and the nation. Born into slavery in Maryland in 1822, Tubman escaped in 1849 and became a key conductor of the Underground Railroad, leading many enslaved people to freedom. She later served as a nurse, scout, cook, and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.
After the war, Tubman settled in Auburn, where she purchased land with the help of Secretary of State William H. Seward and his wife, Frances. Over the next 50 years, she dedicated her life to charitable work, using her home to care for formerly enslaved individuals, the poor, and the elderly. Her advocacy extended to the fight for civil rights and women’s suffrage.
Tubman passed away on March 10, 1913, and was buried with full military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. Her home and property have since been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and, in 2017, became part of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. In 2024, the National Park Service completed a rehabilitation of the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church, further expanding the historic site.
“Harriet Ross Tubman is an inspiration to many people, as her life’s work fighting for freedom and equality makes her one of our nation’s greatest historical figures,” the proclamation stated.
Auburn’s Harriet Tubman Day serves as a tribute to her extraordinary contributions and lasting impact on the fight for justice.
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