On a cool spring morning in Massachusetts, shots rang out at Lexington on April 19, 1775, in a clash between colonial militiamen and British redcoats on the village green. This sharp skirmish began what soon became the Revolutionary War. Join historians John Maass and Rob Orrison for a close look at the opening battles of the conflict in the Boston area.
John R. Maass is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War.” (2025).
Rob Orrison received a bachelor’s degree in historic preservation at Longwood University and a master’s degree in public history from George Mason University. Currently Rob serves as the Division Manager for the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation. He is the author of “The Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Beginning of the American Revolution, April 19, 1775.” (2018).
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on June 3 at 7 p.m. ET
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on June 10 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on June 10 at 12 p.m. ET
In early June 1862, Union Army forces in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley tried to catch and destroy the hard-marching Confederate forces led by “Stonewall” Jackson. Along the banks of the Shenandoah River, Maj. Gen. Erasmus Tyler’s outnumbered bluecoats faced off against onrushing Southern regiments in a bloody contest in which almost 2,000 men fell. Join Museum educator John Maass for a detailed look at the engagement, including modern images of the battlefield today.
John R. Maass, Ph.D. is an education specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War.” (2025).
Register for the Virtual Battle Brief on July 1 at 7 p.m. ET
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on July 8 at 12 p.m. ET
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on July 8 at 12 p.m. ET
Although virtually unknown today, the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers, fought in what is now northwestern Ohio, was one of the most important battles in American military history up to the Civil War. Find out from Museum educator John Maass how this engagement between U.S. Army troops led by General Anthony Wayne and Native American forces came about and the significant results of the fighting.
John R. Maass, Ph.D. is an education specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War” (2025).
Register for the Virtual Battle Brief on August 5 at 7 p.m. ET
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on August 12 at 12 p.m. ET
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on August 12 at 12 p.m. ET
In the late Spring of 1862, a massive Union Army led by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan steadily advanced on the vulnerable Confederate capital city of Richmond, Virginia. Expecting success, the two armies clashed at Seven Pines in a bloody battle that saw thousands of casualties that shocked both sides in this early war engagement. Learn about the two-day fight around a small railroad depot during McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign from Museum educator John Maass and how it altered the Union campaign.
John R. Maass, Ph.D. is an education specialist and military historian at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War” (2025).
Register for the Virtual Battle Brief on September 2 at 7 p.m. ET
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on September 9 at 12 p.m. ET
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on September 9 at 12 p.m. ET
In the Spring of 1778, Continental Army commander George Washington entrusted the young Marquis de Lafayette with a strong detachment of his forces at Valley Forge to gather information about the British army around Philadelphia. Learn from Museum historian John Maass how the French general conducted his first independent operation and how he narrowly avoided disaster at Barren Hill, along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
John R. Maass, Ph.D. is an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army. He received a Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early U.S. history and military history. His most recent book is “From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War” (2025).
Register for the Virtual Battle Brief on October 7 at 7 p.m. ET
This program is offered VIRTUALLY and IN-PERSON on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Museum guests may attend in-person. Seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL Battle Brief on October 14 at 12 p.m. ET
Register for the IN-PERSON Battle Brief on October 14 at 12 p.m. ET