The North Star, first published on December 3, 1847, was a powerful antislavery newspaper founded by African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Funded by Douglass’s speaking tour in Britain and Ireland, the paper was based in Rochester, New York—a hub of abolitionist activity. Named for the celestial guide used by escaping slaves, The North Star quickly became one of the most influential Black publications of the pre-Civil War era. Its motto, “Right is of no sex—Truth is of no color—God is the Father of us all, and we are brethren,” reflected Douglass’s advocacy for racial and gender equality. With over 4,000 subscribers in the U.S., Europe, and the West Indies, the weekly four-page paper featured abolitionist news, editorials, reader letters, poetry, and commentary on injustice. Through it, Douglass passionately challenged America’s moral contradictions and called for equal rights and education for all.
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