The enslavement of millions of Africans sparked a long history of resistance. During the 19 th-century, thousands of enslaved and many free African-Americans fled the United States and made their way to Mexico and Canada where they could live as free citizens.

In Canada, the refugees arrived at points as far east as Nova Scotia and as far west as British Columbia, but the majority crossed over into what is now southwestern Ontario. They formed communities in the growing villages and towns or cleared the forests and pioneered new farmland.

The network of sympathetic black and white abolitionists that assisted in the escapes along their secret routes became known as the Underground Railroad.

The story of the Underground Railroad is the stuff of courage and compassion, heroes and history. From the 1820s to the 1860s, African American refugees worked with a secret network of supporters in order to escape to Canada. They arrived by the thousands. In a new place, the refugees built a new home and helped lay the foundations of a new country.

We must cherish the diverse and inspiring stories of the history of our nation. Our heritage connects us to our past, connects us to our future, and connects us to each other.