As Union County continues to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, invites residents to attend “The History of U.S. Immigration,” a free lecture exploring how immigration has shaped the United States from its earliest days through the present.
The program will be held on Thursday, September 17, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Academic Center, located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union. The event coincides with U.S. Constitution Day and is also being presented as part of Union County’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
“The history of immigration is inseparable from the history of the United States,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Joseph C. Bodek. “As we continue to mark our nation’s 250th anniversary, this program gives residents an opportunity to look more closely at the generations of people who came to this country and helped shape its communities, culture and future.”
The lecture will be presented by Dr. Frank Argote-Freyre, a professor of Latin American history at Kean University. Dr. Argote-Freyre earned his Ph.D. in Latin American History from Rutgers University and is the author of Fulgencio Batista: From Revolutionary to Strongman. He also coauthored A Brief History of the Caribbean with Danilo Figueredo and served as assistant editor of the Encyclopedia of Cuba.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Argote-Freyre has been actively involved in efforts supporting immigrant rights and social justice. He previously served as Chair of the New Jersey Commission on New Americans and is President Emeritus of the Latino Action Network and Director of the Latino Coalition. Earlier in his career, he worked as a journalist, columnist and congressional press secretary.
“Constitution Day invites us to think not only about the founding of our nation, but also about the people who have carried its promise forward,” said Union County Commissioner Vice Chair Rebecca Williams, Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Affairs Advisory Board. “Here in Union County, immigration is part of the history of nearly every community. This conversation will help us better understand where we came from and how those experiences continue to shape who we are today.”
The presentation is free and open to Union County residents. Advance registration is required. To register, visit www.ucnj.org/250.
This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. The program is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in partnership with Kean University’s Center for Raising Excellence and Cultural Empowerment and Department of History. For additional information, call 908-558-2550.
America’s 250th Anniversary: On July 4, 2026, the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past, recognize the many people and communities that have shaped its history, and look ahead toward the future we seek to build for generations to come.