Each year, Mass Humanities organizes readings of What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?, a speech by the noted abolitionist Frederick Douglass, first delivered in 1852.

A free community reading of this famous speech will be presented at the Federated Church in Edgartown (45 South Summer Street), where Mr. Douglass spoke in 1857, as part of the Vineyard’s observance of the Independence Day celebration. All are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Support for this program was provided by the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard, the Friends of the Edgartown Free Public Library, the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard, the Mass Cultural Council, and Mass Humanities.