History Film Forum presents Glory (1989)

The History Film Forum presents the 1989 Academy Award-winning film Glory, on the anniversary of the climactic Second Battle of Fort Wagner.
About this Event

Following the Battle of Antietam, Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) is offered command of the United States' first all-African American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. With junior officer Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), Shaw puts together a strong and proud unit, including a soldier who escaped slavery, Trip (Denzel Washington), and a soldier who dug graves, John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman). At first limited to menial manual tasks, the regiment fights to be placed in the heat of battle, culminating in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, fought on July 18, 1863.

Glory won three Academy Awards, including Denzel Washington’s Best Supporting Actor win. In 2025 the movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

On the 163rd anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Wagner, we present Glory with a discussion about the history presented in the film including Dan Davis from the American Battlefield Trust, which works to preserve America’s battlefields, including Fort Wagner, for future generations.

Before the screening, see objects out of storage from the museum’s collections from the production and filming of Glory.

This film has been rated R, or “Restricted” by the by the MPA (Motion Picture Association). Visitors under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian.

As part of our new museum-wide exhibition, , see the flag of the 84th Infantry Regiment, United States Colored Troops, in , the museum’s exhibition marking the history of Americans at war.

_______

The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. This event is wheelchair accessible. Captioning and assistive listening devices will be provided. Additional accommodations are available upon request; please email [email protected]. Two weeks’ notice is preferred.

Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Seating will be opened first to Eventbrite-registered attendees and then to walk-in visitors. When we reach maximum capacity, the event will be closed to the public.