2024 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities Postponed Due to Wildfires
The 2024 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, titled “Memories of Injustice,” has been postponed due to the devastating wildfires currently affecting the Los Angeles area. This lecture, which stands as the highest honor awarded by the federal government for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities, was set to feature renowned historian, educator, and public speaker Sam Mihara.
The National Endowment for the Humanities will announce the new date on its website and social media channels. We encourage everyone to stay tuned for updates regarding the rescheduled date. For the latest information, visit the NEH website or follow NEH on social media.
Our thoughts are with those impacted by the wildfires, and we look forward to Mihara’s inspiring lecture in the near future. Stay tuned for updates!
On January 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. PST, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will present its 2024 Jefferson Lecture hosted by the Japanese American National Museum and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. The Jefferson Lecture is the highest honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities. Recognizing acclaimed public speaker, historian, and educator Sam Mihara, the prestigious event is rarely held on the West Coast. Admission is free, and tickets are available at https://bit.ly/jeffersonlecture.
Mihara’s lecture, “Memoirs of Injustice,” offers a profoundly personal exploration of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. Drawing from his own experiences as a young boy imprisoned at the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp in Wyoming, Mihara sheds light on the resilience and hardships of over 120,000 Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their homes during this dark chapter in U.S. history.
A second-generation Japanese American (Nisei) from San Francisco, Mihara was just nine years old when his family was relocated to Heart Mountain. For three years, they lived in a single-room barrack, confined by barbed wire and guarded by armed sentries. Despite these early challenges, Mihara pursued higher education in engineering at UC Berkeley and UCLA and went on to have a successful career as a rocket scientist.
In retirement, Mihara has dedicated himself to educating others about Japanese American incarceration and preserving the Heart Mountain site, now a National Historic Landmark. He has spoken to more than 120,000 students, educators, and professionals worldwide, sharing his story to foster understanding and ensure history is not forgotten.
Join us for this impactful evening in the heart of Little Tokyo, hosted by the Japanese American National Museum and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Let’s reflect on the lessons of the past and honor the enduring power of the humanities to inspire and educate.
Don’t miss this unforgettable event! Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/jeffersonlecture.
