History Talks

Honoring Those Who Served: A History of Veterans Benefits and the U.S. Army

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

Since the founding of the United States Army on June 14, 1775, the United States has sought to care for its Soldiers in gratitude for their service. These honors include memorials, remembrances, and celebrations alongside tangible benefits that improve the well-being of both the Veterans and the nation they served. Learn how these various benefits, both tangible and intangible, have changed over time to expand eligibility and adapt to current needs.

In this History Talk explore the recognition bestowed upon Veterans returning from conflicts and the measure undertaken by the United States to encourage future participation in the Armed Forces. Examine the impact of these measures and identify how military service has helped pave the way for civil rights.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on June 7 at 12 p.m. ET

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on June 14 at 12 p.m. ET

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

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on June 21 at 12 p.m. ET

Register to attend the IN-PERSON History Talk on June 21 at 12 p.m. ET

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Beyond the Civil War: Buffalo Soldiers on the American Frontier and Overseas, 1866-1916

Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-person

Generations of African Americans have fought for the protection of the United States, but it would not be until the Civil War that they would serve in an official capacity. Due to their exemplary service, a Congressional Act passed on July 28, 1866 that created six new regiments comprised of all black enlisted men with predominately white officers. Later condensed to four regiments, they would come to be known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.”

These Soldiers played a decisive role in the U.S. Army on the western frontier and overseas operations. The courage and determination of the Soldiers in spite of segregation at home would pave the way towards achieving integration and full civil rights in the future.

In this History Talk, examine the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices of Buffalo Soldiers immediately following the Civil War and continuing through the Spanish American War. This History Talk is supported by the U.S. Army Women’s Museum and the Frontier Army Museum.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, July 12. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on July 12 at 12 p.m. ET.

Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on July 12 at 12 p.m. ET.

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“Like Angels from Heaven”: U.S. Army Nurses and the War with Spain

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

Women have served the U.S. Army since its founding. Women’s service was often confined to unofficial capacities as volunteer nurses, seamstresses, and cooks for troops in camp. While the U.S. Army established contracts with female nurses during the Civil War those were annulled at the war’s conclusion.

In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain. In a short time, the U.S. Army grew from 28,000 Soldiers to over 300,000 men. The influx of Soldiers strained the Army’s resources and lead to crowded camps that lacked supplies and resources. Diseases spread through camps and led to the recruitment of thousands of trained female contract nurses to provide medical support. Nurses dressed wounds, carried out sanitation procedures, and prepared meals. The selfless service of Spanish American War nurses forced the U.S. Army to acknowledge the women’s contributions. Three years later, the Nurses Corps was established as a permanent part of the U.S. Army.

In this History Talk, explore the contributions of U.S. Army Nurses during the Spanish American War. Learn how their commitment, challenges, and sacrifices created new professional opportunities for women both in the Army and civilian medical facilities.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, July 19. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on July 19 at 12 p.m. ET.

Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on July 19 at 12 p.m. ET.

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“We Return Fighting”: The Harlem Hellfighters in World War I

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-person

From the Revolutionary War and through the present day, African Americans have proudly served the U.S. Army, many serving in segregated units and not always given the respect and honor due to them.

On Dec. 27, 1918, the 369th Infantry Regiment docked in Brest, France. The all-Black regiment, comprised of men from Harlem, New York and surrounding cities, were assigned to the Service of Supplies – unloading ships and building roads and railroads. Three months later, the regiment was transferred to the French Army where they were given a position on the frontlines and earned a new nickname: “Hellfighters.” In the 191 days the men spent on the front lines no ground was lost and no man was captured. Their actions earned them accolades in France and they were celebrated on their return to the United States.

In this History Talk, explore the commitment, challenges, and bravery of the Harlem Hellfighters. Learn how their actions, along with the thousands of other Black World War I veterans, 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, July 26. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on July 26 at 12 p.m. ET.

Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on July 26 at 12 p.m. ET.

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Fighting for Freedom: The Nisei Soldier Experience in World War II

Wednesday, August 9, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

Learn about the courageous men and women of Japanese ancestry from Hawaii and the mainland United States who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, while some of their families were placed in War Relocation Authority Confinement Sites.

Second generation Japanese Americans, known as Nisei, demanded the right to join the armed forces during World War II. On Feb. 9, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the relocation of Japanese Americans living on the west coast. One hundred twenty-two thousand men, women, and children were sent to incarceration camps throughout the United States. Further, the government classified males of Japanese ancestry as enemy aliens. This classification disqualified them from military service. The Army later loosened this restriction in June 1942. Despite the odds, thousands of Nisei Soldiers bravely served in World War II.

During this History Talk, explore the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices of the Nisei Soldiers. Participants will also examine Executive Order 9906, its impact on Japanese Americans living on the West Coast and how military service was used as a strategy to advance civil rights.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, August 9. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on August 9 at 12 p.m. ET

Register to attend the IN-PERSON History Talk on August 9 at 12 p.m. ET

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The Accomplishment of the ENIAC and the Women Computing Pioneers

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

Discover how a talented group of female mathematicians laid the groundwork for the field of computer programming.

Winning World War II required an all-out effort. Thousands of women on the home front answered their country’s call to join the military, industry, and the civil service. In 1943, the U.S. Army recruited seven women mathematicians to set up and operate the Army’s newest top secret weapon: the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). These unsung heroes wired the electrical connections that enabled the world’s first electronic, digital computer to complete 300 calculations per second. In doing so, they built a framework for the field of computer programming.

In this History Talk, discover how female “computers” solved complex problems, contributing to Army innovations during World War II.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, August 16. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on August 16 at 12 p.m. ET

Register to attend the IN-PERSON History Talk on August 16 at 12 p.m. ET

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Over Here, Over There: The USO and the U.S. Army

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual and In-Person

Laughter, celebrities, and frivolity are the sounds and images many associate with the United Service Organizations (USO) and more specifically the USO “Camp Show.” These professional-quality variety shows featured America’s most popular comedians, vocalists, and actors including Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, and Lucille Ball in some of World War II’s most uncertain battlefields. The shows also provided Soldiers a brief respite from the uncertainty that lay ahead and an outlet for stress associated with wartime service.

While the lighthearted nature of the “Camp Shows” may stand out in American memory, the USO provided both places of lively social activity and quiet contemplation to Soldiers seeking a morale boost, religious comfort, or a distraction. The USO was incorporated on Feb. 4, 1941, to provide recreational opportunities and resources for World War II service members. The organization combined six social organizations into one formidable group that operated over 3,000 recreational clubs across the globe to provide Soldiers with lodging, food, resources, and entertainment.

Learn how the Army values of selfless service and duty were channeled by civilians to support and uplift Soldiers during one of the darkest times in American history. Identify how those values have been carried on since World War II to support Soldiers through times of war and peace.

This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, August 23. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on August 23 at 12 p.m. ET

Register to attend the IN-PERSON History Talk on August 23 at 12 p.m. ET

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