An official website of the United States Government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

pg40

Photo showing Frederick Douglass who, though born a slave, through the power of his oratorical gifts became an important influence on his countrymen, including President Abraham Lincoln, in winning recognition of the unalienable rights of black Americans, both before and after the abolition of slavery.

U.S. Department of State

The Lessons of 1989: Freedom and Our Future