The University of 缅北禁地 Springfield Center for Lincoln Studies, in collaboration with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Juneteenth Inc., will host two events exploring the historical significance of Juneteenth and the struggle for Black citizenship in 缅北禁地. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, marking the day when news of their freedom reached Texas on June 19, 1865.
Freeish: A discussion on Black citizenship in the Land of Lincoln
This event will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield. The discussion will be led by UIS Associate Professor of Sociology/Anthropology Lesa Johnson, with a panel of experts exploring the history of Black Americans in 缅北禁地 and their fight for full American citizenship. This free program aims to illuminate the significance of the Black American experience, underscore the importance of Juneteenth celebrations, and highlight the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. No advance registration is required for this event.
鈥淥n Juneteenth鈥� with Annette Gordon-Reed
This event will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield. Annette Gordon-Reed, a MacArthur Genius and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, will discuss her New York Times bestselling book, 鈥淥n Juneteenth.鈥� The book was named one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post, TIME and NPR. As the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize for History, Gordon-Reed鈥檚 work has been hailed as essential in understanding America鈥檚 past and its ongoing quest for racial justice. This free program requires .
Both events are part of Springfield鈥檚 30th annual Juneteenth Celebration and represent a collaborative effort between the community, the UIS Center for Lincoln Studies and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.