Society to hold lecture, discussions

LITCHFIELD >> The Litchfield Historical Society will present a lecture and accompanying 2-part book discussion led by Stephen McGrath, Adjunct Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University, on Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum. This lecture sketches the origins of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the book discussion series explores the far-reaching consequences of the Fourteenth Amendment to the present day.

The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted 150 years ago to make citizens all persons born in the US and to grant citizens equal protection of the laws. Originally intended to benefit AfricanAmericans and other racial minorities, the Amendment has since had the far reaching consequence of expanding legal and political rights for all Americans. T

he accompanying book discussions will be held on Tuesday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Participants will read Democracy Reborn: The Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equal Rights in Post-Civil War America by Garrett Epps for the discussion.

Lectures and accompanying book discussions are free for members and $5 for nonmembers. Space is limited and registration is required. Payment is required at time of registration. To register, call 860- 567-4501 or email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. For more information about this or other programs, please visit www. litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.