[Grand Army Review, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington] 1865

This photograph, Grand Army Review, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, was captured by Alexander Gardner during a pivotal moment in American history, the end of the Civil War. Gardner, a Scottish immigrant, documented the war extensively, often focusing on its human toll. Here, instead, he captures a moment of collective national pride, yet the image is complicated. The Grand Army, largely composed of white soldiers, parades triumphantly, while the contributions and sacrifices of African American soldiers are conspicuously absent. The jubilation of the event is thus underscored by the racial inequalities that persisted. It’s hard not to ask yourself what it means to celebrate ‘unity’ when so many are excluded from its promise. Reflecting on this image, we must consider whose stories are being told and whose are being erased, questioning how historical narratives are constructed and what they omit. This image serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in celebrations of national identity.