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The Wedding Heard ’Round the World: America’s First Gay Marriage
  • Date: Friday, October 07, 2016
  • Time: 4:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

On September 3, 1971, Michael McConnell and Jack Baker exchanged vows in the first legal same-sex wedding in the United States. Repercussions were immediate:  Michael’s job offer at the University of Minnesota was rescinded, leading him to wage a battle against job discrimination with the help of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union.  The couple eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court with two precedent-setting cases. Their remarkable story is told here for the first time—a unique account of the passion and energy of the gay liberation movement in the sixties and seventies.

A book signing follows the program. Purchase this book on the day of the event from the National Archives Store and receive a 15% discount (members get 20% off).

Presented by the National Archives in collaboration with Stonewall@NARA, the National Archives LGBTQ employee Affinity Group.

All public programs at the National Archives are free and streamed live online via the National Archives’ YouTube channel. Reservations are recommended; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the building will open 45 minutes prior to the start of the program. Use the Special Events entrance on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. Click here for more information on getting to the National Archives and parking.Live captioning will be available online and in the William G. McGowan Theater. If you require an alternative or additional accommodation for an event (such as a downloadable transcript or a sign language interpreter), please send an email to public.program@nara.gov or call 202-357-5000 in advance.