Arcadia Library Lecture: Archiving Independence

As the nation approached and marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans once again turned to commemorations to reflect on the nation’s past and imagine its future. Drawing on archives and historical examples from the national commemorations of 1876, 1926, and 1976, Justina Barrett explores how anniversaries have been used to promote national unity, advance competing visions of American identity, and expand claims for inclusion and civil rights. Through world’s fairs, public history initiatives, commemorative objects, and acts of protest, participants will discover how women, African Americans, immigrants, and other communities shaped public memory, even when excluded from official planning. Looking back on the recently concluded Semiquincentennial, Barrett considers how the commemorations of 2026 reflected the hopes, tensions, and cultural priorities of our own era while echoing enduring themes that have defined America’s previous milestone anniversaries.

Things to Know:

• This is a hybrid program. You can register either for the in-person event or register to watch it live via Zoom.
• There will be time for a Q&A at the end of the program.
• The program will be recorded. A link to the recording will be sent to everyone who registers for the virtual component of the program.

Questions or accommodation requests? Email [email protected].