Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., led a discussion on African-American history from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. He also talked about his book, A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights. Mr. and Mrs. Mescher recreated an early Civil War scene in which a Campbell County, Virginia, citizen exhorted citizens to join him in forming the 46th Virginia Infantry, Company I. Mr. Mescher spoke again dressed as a Confederate soldier. Interpreters also recreated the all-black 54th Massachusetts Infantry that fought in the Union Army. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass was also portrayed. The program ended with the audience participating in a question-and-answer session.
This event was part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, held in the Washington, D.C., convention center.