Manchester ~ Biographer Harold Holzer, recipient of the National Humanities Medal, will discuss Abraham Lincoln’s historic second inaugural address in a talk at First Congregational Church in Manchester on May 1 at 7:00 pm. His talk, “Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Revisited,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public.
Historians rank Abraham Lincoln’s majestic second inaugural address as one of the greatest political orations in American history. But at the time, the speech generated entirely partisan responses even as the Civil War headed toward Union victory. Holzer will revisit the unforgettable day of March 4, 1865.
Holzer is one of the country’s leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. A prolific writer and lecturer, and frequent guest on television, he served for nine years as co-chairman of the United States Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC), appointed by President Clinton in 2000. President Bush, in turn, awarded Holzer the National Humanities Medal in 2008. Holzer has written hundreds of articles for both popular magazines and scholarly journals. His television appearances include C-SPAN, The History Channel, PBS, The Today Show, CNN, and others. He lectures before Civil War and Lincoln groups and at museums, colleges, and history conferences throughout the country, and is the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including the coveted Lincoln Prize. He has authored, co-authored, and edited 40 books.
About First Wednesdays
The Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays series is held on the first Wednesday of every month from October through May in nine communities statewide, featuring speakers of national and regional renown. Talks in Manchester are held at First Congregational Church (unless otherwise noted) and are hosted by Manchester Community Library. All First Wednesdays talks are free and open to the public. See the full schedule of Manchester First Wednesdays talks. and
The statewide underwriters for the First Wednesdays 2018-2019 series are The Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation, the Windham Foundation, and the Institute of Museum & Library Services through the Vermont Department of Libraries.
“Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Revisited” is underwritten by Burr & Burton Academy.
Manchester Community Library is sponsored by Mystic Café and Wine Bar, Spring & Harbor Boutique, and Union Underground.
For more information, contact Manchester Community Library at 802.362.2607 or the Vermont Humanities Council at 802.262.2626 or info@vermonthumanities.org, or visit vermonthumanities.org.
About Vermont Humanities Council
A statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1974, the Vermont Humanities Council seeks to engage all Vermonters in the world of ideas, foster a culture of thoughtfulness, and inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning. Because Ideas Matter.
