History Film Forum presents Glory (1989)
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20013
The History Film Forum presents the 1989 Academy Award-winning film Glory, on the anniversary of the climactic Second Battle of Fort Wagner.
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 the escaped slave Trip (Denzel Washington) and the gravedigger 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 is the winner of 3 Academy Awards, including Denzel Washington for Best Supporting Actor. In 2025, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."
Before the screening, see objects out of storage from the Museum鈥檚 collections from the production and filming of Glory.
This film has been rated R, or 鈥淩estricted鈥 by the by the MPA (Motion Picture Association). Visitors under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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 nmahprograms@si.edu. Two weeks鈥 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.
