Florida's Underground Railroad: A Historical Perspective on Southern Routes to Freedom
The concept of the Underground Railroad is often associated with the 19th-century escape of enslaved people to northern states and Canada. However, a lesser-known southern route existed centuries earlier, where enslaved individuals fled British plantations to Spanish-controlled territories. This route dates back to the 1500s, with King Charles II of Spain issuing a decree in 1693 offering freedom to those who converted to Catholicism, pledged allegiance to Spain, and served in the colonial militia. Magdalena Lamarre, a retired professor, explores this aspect of history through lectures, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of these routes. 
