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Underground Railroad: The William Still Story  Origin of the name Underground Railroad

Historians have never been able to pin down how the Underground Railroad got its name. Details

 

Program: Underground Railroad: The William Still Story

Episode: Origin of the name Underground Railroad

Historians haven't been able to pin down how the Underground Railroad got its name. Many believe it was a slave-catcher who coined the term, when the runaway he was chasing seemed to just disappear as though he'd escaped on a mysterious underground rail line. But one thing is certain: the "railroad" that helped runaway slaves flee to the free states had nothing to do with steel rails.

• Visit the Origin of the name Underground Railroad webpage

Duration: (1:19)
Premiere Date: 02/05/2012
Episode Expires: Never
TV Rating: TV-PG
Closed Caption

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Underground Railroad: The William Still Story is made possible by CN Railway, the Rogers Cable Network, Canada Media Fund, The Rogers Documentary Fund, and by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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Full episodes
1 VIDEOS

Underground Railroad: The William Still Story
55:15 Air Date 02/05/12
Previews
2 VIDEOS

Underground Railroad: The William Still Story Trailer
1:31 Air Date 02/19/12

Underground Railroad: The William Still Story Trailer No Air
1:30 Air Date 02/19/12
Shorts
6 VIDEOS

Coded Spirituals
2:27 Air Date 02/19/12

Origin of the name Underground Railroad
1:19 Air Date 02/19/12

Punishment
1:46 Air Date 02/19/12

Slavery and Freedom
3:16 Air Date 02/19/12

William Still's Place in History
2:18 Air Date 02/19/12

Fugitive Slave Act
2:15 Air Date 02/10/12