Comeback USA: The Language of History in Contemporary America

Date/Time: to
Type: Annual lecture series, Presence
Location: Lecture Hall 11, Augustusplatz campus, Universitätsstr. 3, 04109 Leipzig
Event series: Trump 2.0: Cultural Perspectives on the Current US Political Landscape

Professor Olaf Stieglitz will give a lecture analyzing how history and national memory are being debated in contemporary US-American culture, offering insights especially relevant in light of the United States' upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Donald Trump claps on stage at a large indoor rally, surrounded by cheering supporters holding signs and wearing campaign gear.
President Donald Trump reacts to the crowd as he arrives onstage at his first re-election campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 20, 2020. Photo: Leah Millis (REUTERS)

Building on the ongoing prominence of expressions of "greatness" and the supposed "comeback" of the United States, this presentation explores the current visibility of "history" in US culture and analyzes the intensity with which (national) history and memory are being contested today and have been in the recent past. Professor Olaf Stieglitz will examine politically diverse statements, initiatives, and projects, focusing especially on the upcoming anniversary year 2026: what should be remembered when the United States celebrates 250 years of independence next year?

 

This event is part of a series hosted by the Institute for American Studies, examining the cultural implications of Trump’s return to office.

  • The lecture will be held in English.
  • All are welcome!