The Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th century Black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists who were sympathetic to their cause.The term is also applied to the abolitionists who aided the fugitives. Other various routes led to Mexico or overseas.

The Underground Railroad was at its height between 1810 and 1850,with over 30,000 people escaping enslavement (mainly to Canada) via the network, though US Census figures only account for 6,000.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:INDIA

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India and terror attacks are a serious and growing threat to U.S. citizens traveling and resident there. U.S. citizens are urged to always practice good security, including maintaining a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. Coordinated terror attacks in Mumbai in late November 2008 targeting areas frequented by Westerners have raised the risk of Americans becoming intended or unintended victims of terrorism in India. Because the locations of the attacks have included luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas, it is becoming more difficult to modify one’s behavior to lessen the growing risk. The media attention of and public reaction to the Mumbai attack could prompt other terrorist incidents. Future attacks may also target public places frequented by Westerners, including in large cities and tourist areas such as Goa.

The U.S. Mission is concerned that increased political tension between Pakistan and India may further complicate travel in areas near their already-sensitive border. In addition, the Department of Defense has increased its security requirements for all its employees visiting India.

Examples of terror attacks in major cities include the following that have killed over 600 people:

• November 2008: Coordinated terrorist attacks on luxury hotels, Jewish community center, restaurant, train station, hospital and other facilities frequented by foreigners in Mumbai killed over 170, including six Americans,
• October 2008 Multiple bombings in markets and government offices in Guwahati, Assam,
• September 2008: Five deadly explosions in New Delhi markets,
• July 2008: Thirty bombs detonated in Bangalore, Karnataka and Ahmedabad, Gujarat as well as multiple un-detonated bombs found in Surat, Gujarat,
• May 2008: A coordinated series of bombings in market and temple areas of the tourist city of Jaipur, Rajasthan,
• December 2007: An attack on a government paramilitary facility in Uttar Pradesh,
• November 2007: Coordinated blasts at court facilities in three cities in Uttar Pradesh,
• November 2007: A blast in a cinema hall in Punjab,
• August 2007: Two explosions at a popular park and restaurant in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,
• May 2007: An explosion at the main mosque in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,
• February 2007: The detonation of explosive devices on a train northwest of Delhi,
• September 2006: A series of explosions at a mosque and cemetery in Malegaon,
• July 2006: Seven simultaneous attacks on Mumbai commuter trains,
• March 2006: Simultaneous attacks on a train station and places of worship in Varanasi,
• October 2005: Simultaneous attacks on several markets in New Delhi.

The Preserve America

The Preserve America Communities program recognizes and designates communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs. Preserve America is a White House initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. National Register of Historic Places partnership products are an integral part of the Department of the Interior's leading role in supporting the Preserve America initiative. Since the program's inception, hundreds of localities have been designated as Preserve America Communities. Many Preserve America Communities are highlighted in the National Register of Historic Places' Discover Our Shared Heritage travel itinerary series. These travel itineraries are created in partnership with local organizations to promote public awareness about history, historic preservation and economic development through heritage tourism. The historic places links below illuminate aspects of our Nation's varied history as reflected in many Preserve America Communities nationwide. For more information about the Preserve America initiative and other designated communities

Safety on Public Transportation

If a country has a pattern of tourists being targeted by criminals on public transport, that information is mentioned in the Country Specific Information in the section about crime.

Taxis. Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs.

Trains. Well-organized, systematic robbery of passengers on trains along popular tourists routes is a problem. It is more common at night and especially on overnight trains.

If you see your way being blocked by a stranger and another person is very close to you from behind, move away. This can happen in the corridor of the train or on the platform or station.

Do not accept food or drink from strangers. Criminals have been known to drug food or drink offered to passengers. Criminals may also spray sleeping gas in train compartments. Where possible, lock your compartment. If it cannot be locked securely, take turns sleeping in shifts with your traveling companions. If that is not possible, stay awake. If you must sleep unprotected, tie down your luggage and secure your valuables to the extent possible.

Do not be afraid to alert authorities if you feel threatened in any way. Extra police are often assigned to ride trains on routes where crime is a serious problem.

Buses. The same type of criminal activity found on trains can be found on public buses on popular tourist routes. For example, tourists have been drugged and robbed while sleeping on buses or in bus stations. In some countries, whole busloads of passengers have been held up and robbed by gangs of bandits.