Event—Public Programming

History Wars: A Conversation about the Politics of Representing America’s Past

In this installment of “Conversations at the Newberry,” historians Daina Ramey Berry and Leslie M. Harris will discuss the country’s current divisions over presenting difficult history in public spaces and school classrooms.

Illustration of a wagon trail, cowboys on horseback riding off into the horizon, a herd of Buffalo, and an Indian camp with Teepees. Inset illustrations: Upper Left: Kentucky, men stand on top of cliff pointing and looking westward. Lower Right: California, men sifting for gold in a river

The March of Destiny frontispiece. Illustration of a wagon trail, cowboys on horseback riding off into the horizon, a herd of Buffalo, and an Indian camp with Teepees. Inset illustrations: Upper Left: Kentucky, men stand on top of cliff pointing and looking westward. Lower Right: California, men sifting for gold in a river. 1883. Call number: Graff 4195

This program will be held in person at the Newberry and also livestreamed on Zoom. Please register below.

Debates over how to represent and remember America’s past have been causing controversy in the United States for many, many years. Today, these conflicts are particularly intense, as politicians and pundits passionately weigh in on who should decide what we commemorate and what we teach about our nation’s history.

Public discussions about American history often leave out the voices of a key constituency: historians.

In this installment of “Conversations at the Newberry,” historians Daina Ramey Berry and Leslie M. Harris will discuss the country’s current divisions over presenting difficult history in public spaces and school classrooms. They’ll help us understand the most contentious issues at the center of these debates, while providing historical context for how they have changed over time.

“Conversations at the Newberry” are generously sponsored by Sue and Melvin Gray. The David L. Wagner Distinguished Lectureship for Humanistic Inquiry Series is funded by David L. Wagner and Renie B. Adams.

Speakers

Daina Ramey Berry is Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Leslie M. Harris is Professor of History at Northwestern University and the 2022-23 David L. Wagner Distinguished Fellow at the Newberry Library.

Cost and Registration

This program is free and open to all.

In-Person Registration

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