This day commemorates the life of slavery abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman (c. March 1822 to 10 March 1913), who herself was born into slavery in Maryland. After escaping her violent situation in 1849, Tubman helped countless other enslaved people to freedom and founded the network of abolitionists known as the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War (1861 to 1865) Tubman worked for the Union Army as an armed scout and spy, becoming the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war when she guided a raid that liberated more than 700 enslaved people. This day is a public holiday in the state of New York. There are growing community calls to make it a national public holiday.