The Declaration’s Meaning in American Life and Law

250 years ago the Declaration of Independence set forth ideals, realized and unrealized, which have shaped America’s promise. In this event, Professor Annette Gordon-Reed, one of the nation’s leading scholars on Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration, discusses the meaning of the Declaration and its impact on our nation.

Annette Gordon-Reed is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard where she teaches law and history. Professor Gordon-Reed’s awards include the National Humanities Medal, presented at the White House by President Obama; the Pulitzer Prize in History; the National Book Award; and a MacArthur Fellowship (known as a MacArthur “genius award”).

Professor Gordon-Reed’s books include Jefferson on Race: A Reader (2026); On Juneteenth (2021); Most Blessed of the Patriarchs (2017); Andrew Johnson (2011); The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family (2008); and Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings: An American Controversy (1998).

Speaker:
Professor Annette Gordon-Reed, Carl M. Loeb University Professor, Harvard Law School, and Professor of History, Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Moderator:
Harlan Levy, Foley Hoag

Sponsoring Committee:
Civic Education, Harlan Levy and Hon. Vera M. Scanlon, Co-Chairs

Cosponsoring Organizations:
Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Federal Bar Council