“Kaskaskia and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union, Part 2”

Online Premiere

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When

Nov 17, 2022
7:00pm–8:30pm

Where

Virtual

Cost

Free
Open to the public

Watch part 1

Watch Part 2

Read “When Illinois Joined the Union, its Capital was Kaskaskia”

A wide variety of people have called Kaskaskia, IL home, and many different social and political configurations have characterized the community over its three-century history. Join us for the online premiere of “Kaskaskia and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union, Part 2” as we continue to explore the legacy of one of Illinois’s smallest, yet most historic, municipalities.

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Map of Illinois showing location of Kaskaskia

The documentary premiere will expand upon themes introduced in Part 1 and discuss African American residents of Kaskaskia whose achievements made a national impact. These noted figures include Nance Legins-Costley, who, after multiple attempts, obtained freedom through a precedent-setting Illinois Supreme Court decision, and John Willis Menard, who became the first African American elected to Congress but was prohibited from serving.

A segment produced by guest contributors Kenita Jalivay and Chastity Mays will examine contemporary African American life in Randolph County, where Kaskaskia is located. Additionally, Part 2 will highlight efforts to sustain and promote Randolph County’s French American heritage, including the work of organizations such as Les Amis du Fort de Chartres and the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail, as well as Prairie du Rocher’s annual “La Guiannée” celebration.

Kaskaskia and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union is made possible in part by a grant from National Endowment for the Humanities A More Perfect Union initiative.

Funder
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