Pulitzer Prize-Winner Doris Kearns Goodwin to Speak At The Henry Ford and on Detroit Public Television

A world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, including her award-winning book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, she recently spent some time right here in Detroit visiting The Henry Ford for a special event in April discussing the legacy of President Lincoln in honor of the 150th anniversary of his assassination.

She also sat down with Stephen Henderson, host of American Black Journal, to discuss President Lincoln's battle against slavery and his legacy today, as well as the legacy of Lyndon Johnson, his relationship with the Civil Rights Movement and his controversial portrayal in the Oscar-nominated film, Selma. Watch it here: http://video.dptv.org/program/american-black-journal/

Take time this weekend to reflect on the past, honor its legacy and look ahead as we get ready to commemorate and honor our veterans and all those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

Here, too, is some background on Doris Kearns Goodwin's visit to Detroit from our friends at The Henry Ford and a picture of the Lincoln Chair.

President Lincoln was an ordinary individual who became one of our most beloved presidents because of his leadership, conviction, determination, and commitment to preserving the union and forging a country that better meets the ideal articulated in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence.

On April 13, 2015, The Henry Ford hosted Pulitzer Prize Winner and world-renown presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin for an evening to remember and reflect on a point in our history that forever changed our nation. ?The Henry Ford's Archive of American Innovation includes the actual chair President Lincoln was sitting in the night he was shot.

This chair symbolizes President Lincoln's ultimate sacrifice to advance this great experiment of American democracy.

Ms. Goodwin stood before more than 600 guests at The Henry Ford and delivered a presentation filled with little-known facts and observations. She had command over her audience the minute she walked on stage until the time she left. People are still talking about the evening.

Our mission at The Henry Ford is to bring the past forward by connecting our audiences today with artifacts that represent pivotal points in our nation's history. We do so, in part, by hosting important special events that bring to life and help us remember the lasting significance of important chapters of our history.

President Lincoln was an ordinary individual who became one of our most beloved presidents because of his leadership, conviction, determination, and commitment to preserving the union and forging a country that better meets the ideal articulated in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence.