The Underground Railroad
was a method that helped slaves escape from the
South to the North during the mid-1800's. The
passengers did not travel on a REAL train nor
did they go underground. The slaves traveled
by whatever means they could, moving during the
nighttime and hiding during the daytime. Many
railroad terms were used as code words. For example,
hiding places were called stations, and people
who helped the runaways were known as conductors.
The most famous black leader of the Underground
Railroad was Harriet Tubman,
a runaway slave herself.
