On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States conferred the right to have an abortion. One of the most divisive cases in the history of the Supreme Court, Roe V. Wade sparked one of America’s most historic debates: the right to choose or the right to life.
Now, almost half-a-century-later, the U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion no longer exists. In this discussion, Pulitzer Prize-finalist Joshua Prager and renowned political scientist Alison Dagnes discuss the history of America’s most famous case and the unknown lives at its heart, the present historic moment, and what it means for our future.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission; first come, first served. Registration, masks, and proof of vaccination are not required for this event. A public book signing will immediately follow the discussion. Purchasing an author’s new or previously published book from the Midtown Scholar Bookstore is required for entry to the signing line. (Additional copies of a book, purchased elsewhere, may also be signed if time permits). Sales receipt or proof of purchase will need to be presented to staff at the entrance to the signings.
About the Author:
For more than twenty years, Joshua Prager, a former senior writer for The Wall Street Journal, has written about historical secrets—revealing all from the hidden scheme that led to baseball’s most famous moment (Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard Round the World”) to the only-ever anonymous recipient of a Pulitzer Prize (a photographer he tracked down in Iran). His work, described by George Will as “exemplary journalistic sleuthing,” has shed new light on our cultural touchstones.
Joshua has spoken at venues including TED and Google. He was a Nieman fellow at Harvard and a Fulbright Distinguished Chair at Hebrew University. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.
