Roger Rosentreter, speaker

On January 1, 1863, Detroit's African Americans enthusiastically celebrated the day's most momentous news–President Abraham Lincoln had used his war-powers to sign the Emancipation Proclamation; America's divisive "peculiar institution" was another step closer to its ultimate demise. Yet, Lincoln understood his actions required constitutional confirmation. In early 1865, Congress adopted the 13^th Amendment declaring slavery was dead. In the days immediately after the war ended–as the defeated Rebels sought to re-enslave the four million freedmen–Congress affirmed the equal rights of America's newest citizens by adopting the 14^th and 15^th Amendments. Learn about this turbulent time from Michigan State University professor, Roger Rosentreter.

While Freedom Confirmed events are complimentary, preregistration is required.