The University of Saint Mary hosts prominent 13th Amendment Historian Dr. Michael Vorenberg for the university's 19th annual Lincoln Event, "Lincoln, the 13th Amendment, and the Struggle for American Peace & Freedom"—exploring the key moments in the passage of the amendment and the activities in the last months of Lincoln's presidency to ensure the permanence of freedom — at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 (Presidents Day).
 
Admission is free. The program will be in Xavier Theatre on USM's main campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street. Seating is limited. A reception will follow. Visit stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information.
 
"The University of Saint Mary is, once again, very pleased to host its annual Lincoln Event," said university Provost Dr. Bryan Le Beau. "We are honored to have Dr. Vorenberg, such a nationally-known historian presenting at this year's Lincoln Event."
 
Vorenberg's first book, "Final Freedom: The Civil War, the Abolition of Slavery, and the Thirteenth Amendment," was a finalist for the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize, a prestigious annual award honoring the finest literature on the Civil War era, and referenced by Producer Steven Spielberg in the creation of his epic 2012 historical drama, "Lincoln."
 
"Lincoln" captured the brilliant maneuvering of the 16th President to pass the 13th Amendment in Congress, but what is left untold—Lincoln's work after its passing on Jan. 31, 1865. The amendment still needed to be ratified by the states, and Lincoln played a decisive role in the process, though he did not live to see its declaration in December 1865.
 
Vorenberg's presentation will address Lincoln's plan for peace following the amendment's ratification and the question of whether the peace and freedom following the Civil War fulfilled Lincoln's vision.
 
Attendees will be able to view pieces from USM's extensive Bernard H. Hall Lincoln Collection, including a rare original copy of the 13th Amendment signed by President Lincoln.

About the USM Lincoln Event Series
The University of Saint Mary started the annual Lincoln series in 1999 to spotlight the Hall Lincoln Collection, housed in USM's De Paul Library. The university offers guided tours of the Lincoln Collection. Call 913-758-6306 to schedule a tour.

Over the past 18 years, USM's primary Lincoln Event has welcomed a variety of luminaries for the featured speaker. Previous guests have included politicians, historians, U.S. Army generals, best-selling authors, and actors who've portrayed first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and President Lincoln himself.

The USM Lincoln Event is made possible by Country Club Bank of Leavenworth and Lansing, the long-time Lincoln Event benefactor.

Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 913-758-6329 or go to stmary.edu/Lincoln for more information on USM's 19th Annual Lincoln Event, "Lincoln, the 13th Amendment, and the Struggle for American Peace & Freedom."
 

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.