Coup: The Day the Democrats Ousted Their Governor

@ The East Tennesssee History Center
Where: 
The East Tennessee History Center
When: 
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 1:00pm to Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 12:45pm

Coup is the remarkable story of how partisans from both sides of the political aisle came together on January 17, 1979, to stop what one FBI agent called, "the state's most heinous political crime in half a century."  Driven by new information that some of the worst criminals in the state penitentiary were to be released (including possibly James Earl Ray), state leaders put aside party differences to act in the best interest of the state and its citizens.  They ousted sitting governor Ray Blanton and installed a governor-elect who happened to be from the opposite party.  Keel will share an insider's account of the intrigue, personalities, conversations, and actions that led to this action that is unprecedented in American history.

Hunt's presentation will be followed by further commentary by Hal Hardin, a U.S. attorney at the time, who, though a friend of Blanton, tipped off officials that more pardons were planned, and John Seigenthaler, publisher of The Tennessean, during this tumultuous time in Tennessee government. 

The program is sponsored by Lewis King Attorneys at Law and is free and open to the public.  The lecture will begin at 6:00p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville.  For more information on the lecture, exhibitions, or museum hours, call 865-215-8824.

Keel Hunt
Coup by Keel Hunt
Presenting Sponsor: 
Lewis King Attorneys at Law