Upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial

Photos

6th Regiment Infantry USCT Musicians

see larger image

uploaded by leonbrooks

Commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War have begun. State and local Sesquicentennial commissions,  federal agencies, and a myriad of  historic groups will hold events.  The anniversary will afford state and local governments opportunities to gain notoriety and economic benefit from the tourism traffic that events will draw.

Some time in the flurry of activity, will be devoted to honoring the sacrifice made by many, in this nations bloodiest conflict.  I hope that we learn more lessons from it than we have in the past.

If there is anything that should be hoped for,  is that this 150th anniversary, unlike the 100th in the 60's and prior commemorations, the contributions and sacrifice of United States Colored Troops receive the recognition and prominence that has been long overdue. Many African-American look forward to celebrating the 150th of the Day of Jubilee, June 19th, 1865, when Texans were forced to release the last remaining slaves, months after the Confederacy had surrendered. This marked the end of Biblical slavery, and the passing of the old United States, where people of African decent could never be citizens, toward a new United States, where they became African-Americans with the right as citizens, to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
The ensuing constitutional recognition of universal rights to citizenship and freedom for all, are the most compelling reason for commemorating the Civil War. It has been obscured in past celebrations' emphasis on preservation of the Union, and reconciliation between North and South. This reduces the war to merely another often repeated event throughout history, in which a rebellion was defeated, and the victor gets to write the history (or 'his story').

Universal  freedom places the event in the uniquely American context, as a country born out of pursuit of  this ideal, and informs the ongoing struggle toward achieving it for all. In this context, objections about 'fair representation' of Southern heritage and culture, Northern aggression and hypocrisy, ring hollow. The compelling story is the fact that despite all, over  209,000 black soldiers and sailors paid the price, and 4 million people were freed from bondage.

Freedom For All

motto of the 6th Regiment Infantry USCT

Site References:

• Mendente Report
• Descendants Jubilee Project
• National Park Service