On Monday, November 11th at 4:00 pm in Randolph Hall, the College of Charleston will honor the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address with a panel discussion. The panel will feature Congressman James Clyburn, Dr. Vernon Burton, and Dr. Brian McGee. A Q&A will be held immediately after the panel followed by a meet-and-greet reception. The event is free and open to the public. For any questions, please contact Samantha Shirley at shirleysr@cofc.edu

In a recent NPR report, Scott Simon tellingly described the Gettysburg Address as the speech that “defined a nation and embodied eloquence.” It is probably one of the best known examples of political discourse in world history. Millions of American schoolchildren have at some time or other been required to memorize the speech. It should come as no surprise then (well, maybe a little surprising) that a number of celebrities have recited the Gettysburg Address as their own sort of homage to Lincoln’s dedication to the principle of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We’d like to highlight some of the best recitations for you all.

Many people find it difficult today to separate Gregory Peck from Atticus Finch, the southern lawyer who fought for equality and justice in his own small town. It seems fitting, then, that Peck would be one of the actors to recite the address.

Colin Powell is just one of the American political figures and military leaders to honor Lincoln’s Address through recitation. Here, he reads the speech as part of the opening of the National Museum of American History.

In January 1963, George C. Wallace, Alabama governor. declared, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever!” Over the course of 1963, South Carolina schools would integrate, President John F. Kennedy promised a Civil Rights Bill, and Martin Luther King Jr. would deliver his “I Have a Dream” speech. It seems fitting that one of the ways 1963 would close is with Tex Ritter’s reminder to the American people of Lincoln’s words with his recitation of the address on the Jimmy Dean Show.

Filed under: Jubilee Project

Now don’t think we have forgotten the Penn Center’s 31st Annual Heritage Days, but we know some of you may not be able to make it to the Penn Center on St. Helena’s. For those of you who are a little too far away, we have another wonderful option for celebrating African culture and the Civil Rights movement.

On Thursday, November 7th at 6:00 pm, South Carolina State University will kick-off their yearlong series, Civil Rights: Then, Now, and When…?, with an exhibition featuring professional artists’ work reflecting on today’s civil rights issues. In addition to the showcase, there will be an African art dealer from Guinea present, an interactive student theater presentation, music provided by the Stanback Student Band, and Civil Rights films shown. Special guests include David Dennis, Hank Thomas, Dr. Millicent Brown, Dr. Leo Twiggs, and Cecil Williams.

The night will also feature the I. P Stanback Museum’s revival of Africa Revisited: The Art of Power and Identity. The exhibit highlights African Art and is the only major collection in South Carolina. Africa Revisited will be on display through May 2014.

For more information, please contact Ellen Zisholtz at 803-536-7174 or Ingrid Owens at 803-536-8329 or visit their website.

Filed under: Jubilee Project