Justice 101: The History and Meaning of Juneteenth Today
Friday, June 19, 2026
12:45 - 1:45pm EST
Join Kerry Sautner, Ed.D. (President and CEO, Eastern State), and Hasan Jeffries, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of History, The Ohio State University) for a conversation on the evolution of American independence. This conversation uses Eastern State Penitentiary as a lens to explore the evolution of American freedom. From the revolutionary spirit of the Founding Era to the transformative promise of Juneteenth, this fireside chat bridges the gap between our history and the ongoing struggle for equity and justice today.
Details to be confirmed—please check back for updates.
About the Panelists:
We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
This program is part of Justice 101, a discussion series that dives into some of the most pressing issues in criminal justice today, through a historical lens and with a focus on civic education. Each program includes interactive elements, expert voices, and opportunities for community dialogue.
This program is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the Philadelphia City Fund’s 2026 Milestone Grant Fund, supported by PECO, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program series, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
