Dred Scott's Daughter: Birthright Citizenship and the Meaning of "American"

EVENT DESCRIPTION
Throughout its history, the United States has grappled with the question of who qualifies as an “American.” Citizenship was contested throughout the antebellum era, culminating in the Supreme Court’s 1857 decision in the case of Dred Scott which denied citizenship to all Black people, whether enslaved or free. After the Civil War, Thaddeus Stevens, together with other members of the Radical Republicans, raced to guarantee citizenship to recently emancipated people and to others born in the United States by introducing a policy of birthright citizenship in the Fourteenth Amendment. Though the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this policy in landmark decisions, it remains a contentious issue. On Thursday, October 23, Amanda Frost, an immigration attorney and law professor at the University of Virginia, joins LancasterHistory to examine the legal and historical significance of birthright citizenship for the nation, as well as its prospects for the future.


REGISTRATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The event, “Dred Scott’s Daughter: Birthright Citizenship and the Meaning of ‘American,'” will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2025 in Freedom Hall A at the Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S. Queen Str., Lancaster, PA. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, please click the ticket link in this event listing or call 717.392.4633, ext. 100 to register over the phone.


Note: We are working on adding a livestream option. Please check back for a future update and registration for said option.


LancasterHistory is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. There will be an ASL interpreter available on-site. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate in and enjoy this event, please contact Robin Sarratt at 717.392.4633, ext. 117 or aW5mbyB8IGxhbmNhc3Rlcmhpc3RvcnkgISBvcmc= at least 7 days prior to the event.

Also check out other Virtual events in Lancaster.