Welcome!
Though it seems like yesterday, April 12, 2008, marks the 25th anniversary of the day Harold Washington was first elected mayor of Chicago, and November 25, 2007, marks the 20th anniversary of Harold’s untimely death. Harold was such an extraordinary man that his contributions and these important dates deserve to be remembered and observed in very special ways.
The Harold Washington Commemorative Year, an Illinois nonprofit corporation, is a 6-month calendar of free public programming and activities so we can share our favorite memories while we acknowledge Harold’s remarkable political heritage and its continuing significance.
The centerpiece of this journey of memories is Harold! Photographs from the Harold Washington Years (Northwestern University Press) featuring photos by Antonio Dickey and Marc PoKempner, with text by Salim Muwakkil, edited by Ron Dorfman. Highlights of the Commemorative Year programming include an interfaith memorial prayer service on November 25, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church, and a symposium at the Harold Washington Library Center on April 12, 2008, to mark Harold’s victorious election day a quarter-century ago.
Harold Washington was the People’s Mayor. Who among us that remembers him doesn’t have a Harold story to tell? Who doesn’t have an opinion about him and his mayoral administration? Honor Harold’s legacy, and share your memories with others, by attending our events. View our Mission Statement. Learn about who we are. We look forward to seeing you soon!