Harriet Tubman Google Doodle Kicks Off Black History Month

What's This?

Harriet Tubman was featured in today's Google Doodle in honor of the first day of Black History Month.

Image: Google

By Melissa Goldin2014-02-01 20:32:23 UTC

Saturday's U.S. Google Doodlefeatures Civil War-era abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman, marking the start of Black History Month.

Tubman is most well-known for leading more than 300 slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad over a period of 10 years during 19 different trips. Once the Civil War began, she worked for the Union in many different capacities, including cook, nurse and even as a spy.

See also: 7 Reasons 2013 Was the Year of Google

The search giant posted about the doodle on its Google+ profile, lauding Tubman's accomplishments on the Underground Railroad. The post prompted many positive comments including "Let freedom ring" and "One of the greatest Americans who ever lived! Thank you Google!"

The doodle features Tubman holding a lantern, against the background of a starry sky. Four letters in Google's logo are also designed to look like tree branches.

Often referred to as "Moses," Tubman's track record was impeccable. She was never caught, and never failed one her "passengers." She would often disguise herself and her fellow fugitives on their journey to safety in the north.

Born a slave in Maryland in approximately 1820, Tubman's activism began at an early age — but not without a price. In the face of an angry overseer, Tubman tried to protect a fellow slave, but was hit in the head by a two-pound weight that the overseer had aimed at her comrade. This incident left her prone to periodic "sleeping fits," in which she would fall unconscious, for the rest of her life.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Topics: Black History Month, Dev & Design, February, google doodle, Slavery, Tech, Underground