"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" is a speech delivered by the prominent Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York. In this powerful and provocative speech, Douglass challenged the hypocrisy of celebrating American freedom and independence while millions of enslaved Black people were denied those same rights.

Douglass highlighted the stark contrast between the lofty ideals of equality and justice expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the harsh reality of slavery in the United States. He condemned the nation for practicing slavery while claiming to uphold principles of liberty and equality, stating, "Your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity."

Douglass' speech serves as a powerful critique of American society and a call to action for the abolition of slavery and the realization of true freedom and equality for all people. It remains a significant and enduring piece of Black history that continues to resonate with audiences today.