Join us Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. CT for an informative conversation with author Dr. Hilary N. Green on her latest book Unforgettable Sacrifice: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War.

Unforgettable Sacrifice offers a groundbreaking exploration into the heart of African American memory of the Civil War, challenging conventional narratives and revealing a rich history preserved through oral traditions and communal efforts. Through extensive archival research and stories shared on the porches of African American families, Green reveals how diverse Black communities across the United States have actively preserved and contested the memory of the Civil War, from the nineteenth century to the present. By rejecting the reduction of their experiences to mere footnotes in history, African Americans have established a vibrant commemorative culture that respects the complexity of their ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles. From the rural landscapes of Black Pennsylvanians to the heart of eman­cipated communities in the South, Green connects the narratives of those who not only fought on battlefields but also in the realms of memory and heritage, ensuring their stories of resilience, courage, and patriotism are remembered.

Ultimately, Unforgettable Sacrifice brings to light the untold stories of ordinary African Americans who took extraordinary steps in remembrance and resistance. By refusing to accept diluted narratives and lies, they have ensured the legacy of the Civil War includes the end of slavery, the valor of Black soldiers and civilians, and the ongoing struggle for democracy and full citizenship. This book is a testament to the enduring power of memory and the steadfast spirit of the African American community.

Hilary N. Green is the James B. Duke Professor of Africana Studies at Davidson College. Her research and teaching interests include the intersections of race, class, and gender in African American history, the American Civil War, Reconstruction, and Civil War Memory. She is the author of Educational Reconstruction: African American Schools in the Urban South, 1865-1890 (Fordham University Press, 2016); Unforgettable Sacrifice: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War (Fordham University Press, 2025), and the co-edited volume The Civil War and the Summer of 2020 (Fordham University Press, 2024) with Andrew L. Slap.  

In addition, she served as the lead historian on the With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited and inaugural Oak Row Exhibition focused on the campus history of slavery and post-Civil War exploitation at Davidson College.  She is also the Chief Reader for the AP US History exam and the co-series editor with J. Brent Morris of Reconstruction Reconsidered, a University of South Carolina Press book series.

Register HERE.