Richard Allen (born February 14, 1760) U.S. founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; publisher and author
Read more about Allen here
Carlton Moss (born February 14, 1909) U.S. filmmaker, playwright, founder of the �Toward a Black Theater� company � The Negro Soldier (1943 documentary)
Read about Carlton Moss here
Read Moss's obituary
Watch Carlton Moss's 1944 documentary
The Negro Soldier
Frederick Douglass (born February 14, approx. 1817) U.S. abolitionist, writer, editor � The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845)
Excerpt from Chapter 8 of Douglass's The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:
We were all ranked together at the valuation. Men and women, old and young, married and single, were ranked with horses, sheep, and swine. There were horses and men, cattle and women, pigs and children, all holding the same rank in the scale of being, and were all subjected to the same narrow examination.
Silvery-headed age and sprightly youth, maids and matrons, had to undergo the same indelicate inspection. At this moment, I saw more clearly than ever the brutalizing effects of slavery upon both slave and slaveholder.
After the valuation, then came the division. I have no language to express the high excitement and deep anxiety which were felt among us poor slaves during this time. Our fate for life was now to be decided. We had no more voice in that decision than the brutes among whom we were ranked.
A single word from the white men was enough -- against all our wishes, prayers, and entreaties -- to sunder forever the dearest friends, dearest kindred, and strongest ties known to human beings.
Watch James Earl Jones read an essay by Frederick Douglass
What to the Slave is 4th of July?
Eric Andersen (born February 14, 1943) U.S. folk singer/songwriter � �Thirsty Boots�
Watch Eric Andersen perform Thirsty Boots
here