The Cause of All Mankind: Joint Winchell-Kirwan Annual Lecture

This event is part of the “The Cause of All Mankind: A Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.”

Step into the ideas and debates that shaped the nation with The Cause of All Mankind, the Kent A. Kirwan & Richard Dean Winchell Lecture celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed and renowned Jefferson scholar Dr. Peter Onuf, this flagship event brings two leading voices together to explore Thomas Jefferson’s legacy, from questions of race and freedom to visions of democratic participation.

Drawing on their forthcoming books and Gordon-Reed's recent work on the documentary The American Revolution, the speakers offer fresh perspectives on the founding era and its lasting impact, followed by a public conversation and Q&A. Designed for history enthusiasts, students, and community members alike, the lecture invites reflection on the ideals that continue to shape American democracy.