C-SPAN begins two weeks of reair of our history series "The Contenders."  The series featured profiles of key figures who have run for president and lost, but changed political history nevertheless.

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In February the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville held a conference on Henry Clay and Leadership in the U.S. Senate. Kentucky State Historian James Klotter talks about Senator Clay’s career after losing a presidential election and his speaking and leadership style.
 

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This weekend on History Bookshelf, Historians David and Jeanne Heidler discusses their book, “Henry Clay: The Essential American.”

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200 years ago in 1811, Henry Clay began his first term as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.  He had a prolific political career, not only serving as Speaker, but also serving several terms in the U.S. Senate.  He also served as Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams from 1825 to 1829.

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Kentucky State historian James Klotter speaks about Henry Clay at the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center.

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U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks at a conference on Henry Clay and Leadership in the U.S. Senate hosted by the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville.
 

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This is the story of the first African American major league baseball player in the modern era, Jackie Robinson. Raymond Doswell of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum focuses on Robinson’s athletic career, his ability to steal bases and home plate, and the racism and obstacles he faced. Over the course of his ten-season Major League career between 1947 & 1956, Robinson played in six World Series and was selected for six All-Star games. His achievements are widely viewed as an important contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. This event was hosted by the National Archives at Kansas City in Missouri.

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New York University professor Michael Gomez teaches a class on the transatlantic slave trade from the 16th century into 19th century. Professor Gomez discusses the countries involved and the methods used in the procurement of slaves, such as raiding and kidnapping. He also discusses the complex history of Africans dealing in the slave trade to pay debts and to punish neighboring factions.

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Author James Robertson discusses the life, death and legacy of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. He talks about General Jackson’s childhood, his education at West Point, and his military career. Mr. Robertson also looks at the Battle of Chancellorsville, where General Jackson was mortally wounded on May 2, 1863, in a “friendly fire” incident. He died of medical complications eight-days later. The Hanover Tavern in Virginia and the Museum of the Confederacy co-hosted this event. 

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Jonathan Hansen presents a history of America's presence at Guantanamo Bay.  The author reports on the United States' early interest in the area, which was central to U.S. plans to control the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.  Mr. Hansen examines the creation of the U.S. naval base and prison at Guantanamo and its continued use despite calls for its closure.

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