Document Type

Opinion

Publication Date

2-8-2015

Department 1

Civil War Era Studies

Department 2

History

Abstract

As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War winds down toward its conclusion in the spring, it's difficult not to look back on the four years of this sesquicentennial and wonder why it all seemed so lackluster. Unlike the centennial in 1961-65, Congress decided not to create a national commission. And President Obama took a pass on the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.

But the most surprisingly lackluster remembrance was the one that just slipped by us - the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States. [excerpt]

Required Publisher's Statement

Original version is available from the publisher at: http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150208_Slavery_s_end_deserves_a_150th_celebration.html

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