Spies and Counterspies: Deception, Espionage, and Treachery During the Revolutionary War- We often imagine the American Revolution as a heroic struggle for liberty won on the battlefields by patriotic citizen-soldiers against the might of the British empire. And while the battles of the war were important, another secret conflict was being fought behind the lines- the battle for military intelligence. This talk will dive into the webs of deception and intrigue, as American and British spies sought the knowledge that could bring victory in the war.

“We Hold These Truths”: An Exploration of the Declaration of Independence- The Declaration of Independence is one of the foundational documents of the United States. We celebrate the date of the document as our national birthday, and most of us are familiar with some of the stirring phrases. But how many of us have read the whole thing, or looked at the influences behind the words? This lecture explores the story behind, and the meaning of, the Declaration.

Fire and Faith: Iran in the 20th Century- Since the Iranian Revolution in the late-1970s, relations between the US and Iran have been contentious and antagonistic. Yet, throughout much of the Cold War, Iran was one of our most significant regional allies. This talk will explore the complex history of Iran from the late 19th century to the dawn of the 21st, and attempt to put modern events into a historical context.

Apollo, Artemis, and the Moon: A History of Lunar Exploration- The Moon has always fascinated humans. Our ancestors worshipped and feared it. Scientists wondered about it. In the 1960s and 70s, humans visited the lunar surface. But after the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, the Moon remained unvisited. The recent Artemis mission has re-ignited the public romance with the Moon. This talk will discuss the history, and future, of lunar exploration.

The Beautiful Game: Passion, Pride, and the World Cup- For nearly a century, the World Cup has been a global festival of soccer, a colorful spectacle of sport. This year, the event takes place close to home. As we prepare to host teams from around the world, let’s take a look at the history and importance of the World Cup.

The Great Undecided: Hayes, Tilden, and the Disputed Election of 1876- In the aftermath of the Civil War, amid the political and social turbulence of Reconstruction, deep fissures still remained in the United States. Add into the mix a scandal plagued presidency and the results were a highly contentious, disputed, and controversial election.

The Age of Assassination: Ideology, Conspiracy and Murder in the Industrial Age, 1880-1914- Irish author George Bernard Shaw once called assassination an extreme form of censorship. During the late decades of the 19th century, as political and social changes swept across the Atlantic world, a series of high-profile assassinations captured headlines across the globe. From US presidents to European monarchs, the powerful and influential fell victim to the assassin’s bullet. This talk will explore some of the most infamous and consequential political murders of the industrial age.

The Renaissance in Ten Masterpieces- The 15th and 16th centuries saw an intellectual and artistic flowering in Europe. Many of our greatest works of art (painting, sculpture, architecture) were created during that epoch. This talk will explore the Renaissance by examining ten of the major artistic works of the period.

Five Rings: A Brief History of the Modern Olympics- The Olympics are a global celebration of sport. Since their revival in 1896, they have stood testament to the spirit of athletic achievement and determination, and have provided us with scenes of triumph and tragedy. This talk will explore the history and memorable moments of the Olympic Games.

Protections and Abominations: Tariffs in US History- In 2025, the news is full of talk about tariffs and trade. Yet the discussion of tariffs is not a new one in the US. Tariffs have been a part of American policy and politics since the beginning of the Republic. This talk will explore the history of tariffs and trade in the United States from 1789 to today.

Pontifex: The Two Thousand Year History of the Papacy- The recent election of an American pope was an exciting moment of history as Pope Leo XIV became the 266th successor of Saint Peter. Over the last two millennia, the papacy has been a position of power and influence, and the papal tiara has been worn by saints and scoundrels. The history of the papacy is a tale of faith, passion, greed and drama.

The Fall of the Roman Republic: Civil War, Discord, and the Birth of Empire-With the end of the Punic Wars in the second century BCE, Rome dominated the Western Mediterranean, and was poised to expand eastward. Yet, the tremendous growth of Roman power caused social turmoil in Rome itself. The result was civil war, dictatorship, and the eventual collapse of the Roman Republic. This lecture will look at the forces that caused the transformation from Roman Republic to Roman Empire.

The Robber Barons: Money, Power, and Greed in the Gilded Age- During the second half of the 19th century, new American elites emerged and changed the shape of business and society. The Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and Rockefellers amassed mind-boggling fortunes through skill, ambition, and ruthlessness. These “Titans of Industry” created an American aristocracy where position and privilege were based solely on wealth, and where power and influence were freely wielded.

The Decline of the Celestial Empire: China and the West, 1830-1911- During the mid-19th century, the Chinese Empire that existed for more than 3000 years, began to crumble under the pressures of Western incursions. By the early 20th century, the Empire had collapsed, and a Chinese Republic had emerged. This talk will look at the events that led to the end of the Qing Dynasty and the birth of modern China.

"The Fictions of Slander": The Scandalous Adventures of Aaron Burr- Aaron Burr is often portrayed as one of the villains in American History, remembered most for his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton. The story of Burr, however, is much deeper than just that fateful morning in Weehawken, NJ. This talk will explore behind the headlines and reveal the remarkable adventures of one of America's most colorful figures.