Statues of historical figures have been the subject of much debate in the United States in recent years. The debate has centered mainly on statues of individuals linked with the Confederacy, the losing side of America’s Civil War in the 1860s. Among other things, the Confederacy fought for the right to continue enslaving people with African origins. Now, the state of Maryland has revealed statues of two famous anti-slavery activists, or abolitionists. They are Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Lawmakers presented the statues to the public during a ceremony Monday night in the Maryland State House. The life-sized statues were dedicated during a special joint session of the Maryland General Assembly in the Old House Chamber. That is the room where lawmakers agreed to end, or abolish, slavery in the state in 1864.
What does dedicate mean?
hold a special session
agree to end slavery
honor a person or event
lose the Civil War
Where were the statues presented to the public?
the White House
the Confederate Museum
the Maryland State House
a Civil War battlefield
The Confederacy fought for the right to enslave people.
own farmland
keep their homes
erect statues
enslave people