Friday, Sept. 22, 8 pm Dr. Rush’s Dream: The Story of the Reconciliation of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Join Park Ranger Eric Pominville to learn the story of how Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, who by dexterous use of his ink pen, successfully nudged & coaxed John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia to be reunited in friendship. Saturday, Sept. 23, 8 pm Black Washingtonians in the Great War During World War I, African Americans from the Washington, D.C. area attempted to build a fighting force despite the obstacles of Jim Crow. This program will investigate how these Black citizens fought against a racist administration and War Department before finally serving overseas against the Germans. Friday, Sept. 29, 8 pm Susan Ahn Cuddy: Making WAVES in the WWII Navy Join a ranger to hear the story of Susan Ahn Cuddy, a daughter of Korean immigrants who served in World War II as a flight instructor, codebreaker, and the first female gunnery officer in U.S. Navy history. Saturday, Sept. 30, 8 pm Go for Broke: The Story of the Nisei of WWII The story of Japanese Americans being interned during the Second World War is familiar. However, 33,000 men of that generation volunteering to serve their country at a time when their loyalty was in serious question is not well remembered. One of the most amazing stories of the Second World War is that some of these men represented the most decorated unit in U.S. military history. This program will reveal the story of their service, patriotism, bravery, and sacrifice from 1942-1945. Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:30-8:15 pm Viva La Revolucion: How Latin America Became Independent Have you ever wondered why some of Latin America’s greatest leaders have statues in the heart of our nation’s capital? Join Park Ranger Michael Balis to learn how these statues of Latin America's liberators honor this exciting story and the people who made it possible. Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30-8:15 pm Talking Civil War Baseball, Lincoln, Cherry Blossoms and More Come learn about the baseball players of the Civil War, the folklore of Lincoln playing baseball, and how a Civil War solider brought baseball to the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms.” Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:30-8:15 pm Jubilee to Jazz: African American Music from the Civil War to World War I What could be more stereotypically Parisian than a jazz club? How did "America's music" develop from its roots in the songs of enslaved African Americans, and how did it become so popular in a European world capital? The answers to these questions flow from the founding of our nation through the early 20th Century. Bring a blanket and join a park ranger at Sylvan Theater to explore how African American music influenced culture both here and around the world and how that ties in with the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. Saturday, Oct. 28, 7:30-8:15 pm Progress, Patriotism, and Protest: African American Music from the Interwar Years to Vietnam One century after the first United States Colored Troops mustered for service in the United States Civil War, America was still divided over issues of race and fractured over a controversial war in Southeast Asia. After jazz took Europe by storm, African American music continued to shape world cultural heritage. With the emergence of the U.S. as a global superpower from World War I, how did African American music influence culture both at home and abroad from World War II to the Vietnam War? Bring a blanket and join a park ranger at Sylvan Theater to explore how African American music influenced culture both here and around the world and how that ties in with the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. |
Last updated: September 20, 2023