What: "Reconstruction and Restorations" -- The 2016 Teaching of History Conference presented by the University of North Texas Department of History. H.W. Brands, the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair of History at the University of Texas at Austin, is the keynote speaker.
When: 7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 1 (Saturday)
Where: UNT's University Union, 1155 Union Circle in Denton
Registration: $30; $20 for UNT faculty, staff and students. Registration available through Sept. 25 (Sunday) at the conference website.
Parking: Free in designated lots near University Union. See conference Website for a map.
Contact: UNT Department of History at 940-565-2288 or historyevents@unt.edu
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- To many Americans, the term "Reconstruction" usually means the era of rebuilding the United States following the Civil War. It was a time marked by adjustment of former slaves to their freedom, not knowing if they would enjoy the same status as white men.
But a Reconstruction also followed the French Revolution of the 1700s, and many wars and revolutions throughout history resulted in some type of restoration era that has great historical significance. Teachers in grades four through 12 and instructors of survey-level college classes will learn how to include reconstructions and restorations of the modern world in their lesson plans during the annual Teaching of History Conference at the University of North Texas Oct. 1 (Saturday).
Sponsored by UNT's Department of History, the conference is scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at UNT's University Union, located at 1155 Union Circle in Denton. The conference will include continental breakfast and a seated luncheon with a keynote address. Conference attendees will choose from two of six sessions in the morning focusing on topics in Texas, U.S. or world history. Teachers may receive six continuing education credits for attending.
The registration fee is $30, with UNT faculty and staff members and students paying $20. Registration is available online through Sept. 25 (Sunday).
H.W. Brands, the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, will be the luncheon keynote speaker and also lead the closing session after the luncheon.
He is the author of Reagan: The Life, which focuses on the challenges that President Ronald Reagan faced during a period of restoration in the U.S. following the end of the Vietnam War and The Man Who Saved the Union: Ulysses Grant in War and Peace. Brands will discuss the presidencies of both Grant and Reagan to explore what makes an effective president during restoration eras.
Other session leaders will discuss race relations during the 1960s and 70s and transformation with the Civil Rights Act; the New Deal; the formation of the modern Turkish state; the Meiji Restoration in Japan; Texas during Reconstruction and the economy of the Republic of Texas.
Note to reporters and editors: Members of the media may attend the conference for free. To arrange to attend, contact Nancy Kolsti in the UNT News Service at 940-565-3509 or nancy.kolsti@unt.edu.