The U.S. Capitol & The Coming Of The Civil War

The construction of the U.S. Capitol began with a building plan adopted in 1793.  Its history of being built, burnt, rebuilt & extended meant its completion came at the most crucial point in our nation’s development: the Civil War.

Thursday in the first portion of Up to Date, journalist Guy Gugliotta discusses the stories behind this magnificent structure.  We’ll look at the personalities and conflicts that arose as the Capitol grew to dominate Washington’s skyline against the backdrop of battles over slavery and secession that were tearing the country apart.

Gugliotta is author of a new book titled Freedom's Cap: The United States Capitol and the Coming of the Civil War.

HEAR MORE: Guy Gugliotta discusses Freedom's Cap this evening at 6:30 at the Kansas City Library Central branch, 14 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Mo. A 6 p.m. reception preceds the event. RSVP online or call 816 701 3407. Free parking is available at the Library District Parking Garage at 10th & Baltimore.

Writing for such publications as the Washington Post, the New York Times, National Geographic, Wired, Discover, and Smithsonian, Guy Gugliotta has been a foreign correspondent in Latin America, a congressional reporter, and a freelance science writer. He is also the author of Kings of Cocaine.