Some 200 years after her birth, she was awarded the rank of General in Maryland’s National Guard on Veterans Day 2024
On the June 13, 2025 episode of Jeopardy, the Final Jeopardy category was Historic Names. The clue read: Some 200 years after her birth, she was awarded the rank of General in Maryland’s National Guard on Veterans Day 2024.
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Who is Harriet Tubman?
This clue spotlighted a remarkable moment in modern military recognition. Harriet Tubman, known for her courageous work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, was posthumously given the honorary rank of brigadier general in the Maryland Army National Guard during a ceremony on Veterans Day 2024. The decision marked a formal tribute to her wartime service and her enduring legacy as a symbol of freedom and leadership in American history.
Harriet Tubman’s Legacy in War and Freedom
Harriet Tubman was born around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland, into slavery. She escaped in 1849 but returned to the South repeatedly, risking her life to guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Her bravery and tactical skill earned her widespread recognition during her lifetime and beyond.
During the Civil War, Tubman served the Union Army as a nurse, scout, and spy. Notably, she became the first woman in American history to lead an armed military operation—the Combahee River Raid in 1863—which liberated over 700 enslaved people in South Carolina. Despite her military contributions, she never received a government pension for her wartime service. The honorary general rank issued in 2024 served as a symbolic correction to this historical oversight.
Why Maryland Chose to Honor Her in 2024
The honorary promotion was made by the Maryland National Guard and the Office of Governor Wes Moore as part of a broader initiative to recognize Black historical figures whose military service had long gone unacknowledged. Tubman’s connection to Maryland made the honor especially meaningful, as she was born and enslaved in the state before her escape to freedom.
The ceremony was held at the Maryland State House and attended by military leaders, historians, and members of Tubman’s extended family. It coincided with nationwide commemorations marking the bicentennial of Tubman’s birth, further elevating the historical importance of the recognition.
Impact and Symbolism of the Honor
Awarding Harriet Tubman the rank of general was a significant act of symbolic justice. It not only highlighted her military leadership and strategic contributions to the Union cause but also acknowledged the overlooked roles of Black women in U.S. military history. While Tubman never held an official military title during her lifetime, the honorary generalship affirms her role as a commanding figure in the fight for liberation.
Military historians and civil rights advocates praised the move as long overdue. By aligning this honor with Veterans Day—a day set aside to honor all who have served—it drew a direct line between Tubman’s 19th-century heroism and the values upheld by today’s military service members.
A Fitting Jeopardy Tribute to a Historic Name
The inclusion of Harriet Tubman as the subject of Final Jeopardy on this episode provided a timely platform to reflect on how American society continues to reckon with its past. It showcased Jeopardy‘s ability to educate while entertaining, shining a light on a courageous figure whose full legacy is still being understood and celebrated.
For contestants and viewers alike, this Final Jeopardy was more than a trivia question. It was a moment of recognition—acknowledging that some honors, though delayed by centuries, still hold profound meaning when finally bestowed.
