Meet Harriet Tubman: A Real-Life Hero of History

A woman walked through dark forests at night, using the North Star to guide her, again and again — and each time, she led other people to freedom. Her name was Harriet Tubman, and she never got caught, not even once, in 13 dangerous trips.

- Who Harriet Tubman was and when she lived - What the Underground Railroad really was (a hint: not a train!) - Why her bravery makes her a hero - One way you can show bravery and help others, just like she did

Harriet Tubman was born around 1822 in Maryland. Back then, she was forced to work without pay or freedom, which was called slavery. In 1849, Harriet escaped to freedom by herself. But instead of staying safe far away, she turned around and went back — again and again, 13 times in total — to help about 70 other people escape too.

The Underground Railroad was actually a secret network of people, safe houses, and hidden paths that helped people escape to freedom in the northern United States and Canada. It had no tracks and no trains at all! Harriet Tubman became known as one of its bravest guides, called a 'conductor.' She traveled mostly at night and used the North Star in the sky to know which direction was north.

Harriet Tubman's bravery didn't stop there. During the Civil War, she served as a nurse, a cook, and even a spy for the Union Army. In 1863, she helped lead a river raid that freed more than 700 people in one night — the only woman to lead a major military operation during the war. She lived to be around 91 years old and spent her whole life helping others.