The National Park Service removed an exhibit on slavery at the President's House site in Philadelphia on Jan. 22, 2026.

On the evening of May 21, 1796, Ona Judge made the daring decision to free herself.

Considering the prominence of her owner, the laws of the time and the dangerous trek to New Hampshire, a place where she could discreetly live freely, the act carried remarkable risk. Nevertheless, she slipped out of the President’s House undetected while the first family dined.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.