"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" is a speech by the renowned Black abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass, delivered on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York. In the speech, Douglass reflects on the irony and hypocrisy of celebrating American independence and freedom while millions of enslaved African Americans were denied their basic human rights.

Douglass passionately denounces the institution of slavery and challenges the audience to consider the stark contrast between the ideals of liberty and justice espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the reality of slavery in America. He powerfully argues that for the enslaved population, the Fourth of July is a reminder of their bondage and suffering, rather than a day of celebration.

This speech remains a powerful and poignant reminder of the struggles faced by Black Americans in the 19th century and the ongoing fight for equality and justice. Douglass' words continue to resonate today as a call to recognize and address the systemic injustices that persist in American society.