The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, proudly bears the title of the nation's oldest learned society. Our founders participated in the birth of American democracy. It pains us greatly that all these years later, our nation's promise has yet to be fulfilled. We join all Americans of good will in deploring the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Even as we now resume our work with the offering of new programs, our attention remains focused on the senseless loss of innocent lives and our commitment to the difficult, necessary conversations and actions we must all take to begin to ensure that such tragedies end.
To read the American Historical Association's statement condemning the history of racist violence in the United States, which was endorsed by the APS, click here.