Fort Union National Monument is pleased to announce its first special event of the year. A Naturalization Ceremony to be held on Friday May 10, 2019, from 1 pm-2 pm. This is an incredible opportunity for individuals to earn American Citizenship and take the Oath of Allegiance at your backyard National Park. This Oath of Allegiance will be taken by applicants as they will be granted Citizenship after all their hard work in learning what it means to be an American. As new U.S. citizens, they will now be entitled to the same rights, obligations, and opportunities as all other Americans. These new citizens will have the ability to vote, hold public office, carry a U.S. passport, serve on a jury, work for the US government, and serve as an officer in the armed forces.
Historically during Fort Union's 40-year existence, many people volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army to become U.S. citizens. During the Civil War period, African American and Irish American soldiers influenced the modern vision of national citizenship. By bearing arms for the Union, African Americans and Irish Americans exhibited their loyalty to the United States and their capacity to act as citizens; they strengthened their American identity in the process.
Come and visit Fort Union and be a part of this unforgettable moment. Fort Union (1851-1891) was the largest frontier military post and supply center of the southwest.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
