Frederick Douglass History: February 21, 1895 - North Carolina Legislature, adjourns for day to mark death of Frederick Douglass July 1, 1889 - Frederick Douglass named Minister to Haiti June 23, 1888 - Frederick Douglass is 1st African-American nominated for president May 17, 1881 - Frederick Douglass appointed recorder of deeds for Washington D.C. September 6, 1866 - Frederick Douglass is 1st U.S. black delegate to a national convention December 3, 1847 - Frederick Douglass publishes 1st issue of his newspaper "North Star" September 3, 1838 - Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery disguised as a sailor February 14, 1817 - Frederick Douglass, African-American abolitionist/lecturer/editor