National Museum of the United States Army

The “Problem of Flight”: The Wright Brothers and the U.S. Army

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their heavier-than-air machine, over a 100 feet in 12 seconds at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This flight, the first of three that day, marked the world’s first powered, sustained and controlled airplane flight. During those three short test flights, the aerial age was born.

The Army has frequently been a leader in recognizing and developing new technology and inventions to improve its effectiveness on the battlefield. Following the Wright Brothers success, the Army challenged the inventors to provide an aircraft that would carry two passengers, fly 40 miles per hour and remain airborne for an hour. The result, the Wright Model A, was tested and accepted by the Army in 1909 at Fort Myer, Virginia. The purchase constituted the Army’s first air force.

Discover how the Wright brothers countered the problems of control and balance through experimentation to achieve success. Discover how the U.S. Army harnessed this new technology to improve readiness and learn how in turn that technology impacted civilian life.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, December 20. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Honor and Fidelity: Puerto Rico’s Borinqueneers

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

In 2016, the 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the “Borinqueneers,” received the Congressional Gold Medal for the contributions “made by hundreds of thousands of brave and patriotic United States citizens from Puerto Rico” who served the U.S. Army “from World War I to the most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The 65th Infantry traces its origin to the establishment of the First Puerto Rican Infantry Regiment at the conclusion of the War with Spain in 1898. The Borinqueneers served with honor and distinction during World War I and II but due to discrimination were often kept from the front lines. President Truman’s Executive Order 9981, which ended segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces, gave the unit a chance to prove themselves in combat during the Korean War.

In this History Talk, explore the commitment, challenges, and bravery of the Borinqueneers from the War with Spain through the Korean War. Learn how their actions, along with the thousands of other Puerto Rican veterans, contributed to the Army’s mission. Examine the legacy of their service and impact on the Army.

The Question of “What if?”: The U.S. Army During the Cold War

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

A group of Soldiers look on at a mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb test.

Join us to learn more about the U.S. Army during the Cold War.

During World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States worked together to fight a common enemy; and after the war that relationship fell apart. Trust between the former allies broke down and fear took hold in its place. This mutual mistrust lead the two countries to confront the looming question of “what if?” That question would color the relationship between the two for the next 50 years. As a result, the Army developed new technology, equipment, and training to better protect Americans from the possibilities and threats posed by the “what if?”

In this History Talk, you will learn how Soldiers worked together to keep the “what if?” from becoming a reality during the Cold War.

The Art of Soldiering: Soldier Art and Culture in Vietnam

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Our understanding of the past comes from a variety of sources — documents, oral histories, photographs and film to name a few. Artwork is one of those sources that fills in the gaps of our historical memory. Art helps us tell stories of past events and imagine what it was like to experience them firsthand.

Since the Revolutionary War, Soldiers have created art to express their individuality, mark turbulent events and comment on political and cultural attitudes of the day. Etchings on equipment, sketches in letters mailed home or more formal paintings depicting battle scenes are all ways that Soldiers have documented their experiences and provided civilians with a glimpse of their service.

Soldiers also seek out art — in the form of music, comedy, and literature — to release stress and distract themselves from the chaos of war. Entertainment like USO “Camp Shows” and radio productions provided Soldiers a break and an opportunity to contemplate their experiences in a new way.

Explore art produced and consumed by Vietnam Soldiers. Learn how this art contributed to a Soldier culture unique to the conflict. Through an examination of art and artwork, gain a greater appreciation for the commitments and sacrifices of Vietnam Soldiers.

“No Mail, Low Morale”: The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-person

Since the Revolutionary War generations of African Americans have served the armed forces, but it was not until World War II that Black women joined the Army as part of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).

In February 1945 members of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion arrived in Birmingham, England. Nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” they were the first and only all-Black WAC unit sent overseas during World War II. They faced the daunting task of sorting and delivering mail to the roughly 7 million service members stationed in the European Theater. Their mission boosted the morale across the entirety of deployed forces. They completed their mission in three months’ time before deploying to France to undertake the same work. The battalion was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their dedication and service to the mission in 2022.

Explore the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices of the Six Triple Eight. Learn how their actions, along with thousands of other Black WACs, contributed to the Allied victory. Examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, February 21. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: Telling Their Story

with Tracy Bradford, U.S. Army Women’s Museum

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-person

The “Six Triple Eight” is experiencing a swell of support and recognition as the public learns of their service and sacrifice. In the past few years, the unit had a monument dedicated, received a Congressional Gold Medal, and had an Army based named after their commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams. Join us to discover how the U.S. Army Women’s Museum is capturing and preserving the memory of these Soldiers in a new exhibit. Learn more about how the Museum has collected stories and artifacts as well as worked with descendants to bring their story to life.