Three special Chicago events October 27-29 will feature presentations by internationally-respected historian and educator Michael Hogan discussing US relationships with Mexico during the 1840s-1860s.
Two presentations focus on Abraham Lincoln’s opposition to the Mexican-American War as a freshman congressman and President Lincoln’s role as an international statesman in helping exiled Mexican President Benito Juárez although Lincoln was preoccupied with the Civil War. The third presentation examines the role of Irish soldiers who left the US Army to join Mexican troops in fighting against US invasionary troops.
The first event is a luncheon and discussion Friday October 27 hosted by the Civil War Roundtable, which will focus on Hogan’s latest book Abraham Lincoln and Mexico. The presentation will examine at length how President Lincoln helped Mexico, partly due to concerns that French occupation forces in Mexico might join forces with Confederate troops against the Union. The diplomacy and subsequent military aid helped the Mexican Republican Army overthrow the French Imperial Army of Napoleon III and restore Juárez to the presidency, ending French presence in North America. The private event is from 11:30 am to 1 pm, at the prestigious Union League Club of Chicago, which can trace its roots back to 1862 when businessmen and professional citizens banded together to help preserve the Union.
Later that same afternoon, Hogan will appear live from 5-6 pm on the national Author’s Voice program during an interview with host Daniel Weinberg to discuss Lincoln’s legacy of support for Mexico. Here’s the link to see details of the event, which will include on-air sales of autographed copies of the book. The event will originate at the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, 824 W. Superior St., Suite 100, and is open to the public. If you can’t make it, you can watch the interview live by going to http://authorsvoice.net/our-programs/
On Saturday and Sunday, October 28-29, Hogan will be at the special Irish Books and Music event. During the two days, he’ll have press availabilities and sign copies of his best-selling book The Irish Soldiers of Mexico based on the history of Irish soldiers who helped Mexico. The history, honored at ceremonies in Mexico City, formed the basis for an MGM film starring Tom Berenger. The two-day event is at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Avenue. You can get further information from the website at www.ibamchicago.com, or by calling 312-282-7035.
All three events come from outreach efforts of the Lincoln and Mexico Project (LAMP), an international project to inform and educate people about Abraham Lincoln’s support for Mexico. We have volunteer representatives in Guadalajara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Austin, and Chicago, and are expanding to Washington DC, New York City, and Boston. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer project and helping arrange events, please send an email to lamp@lincolnandmexicoproject.org
Thanks, and best regards.
Lincoln and Mexico Project 