American History   

New York City, September 11, 2001. The morning everything changed.

102 minutes passed between the first plane's impact into One World Trade Center, the second plane's attack on Two World Trade Center, and the eventual collapse of both buildings. In that time, people around New York experienced a range of emotions. Despite the horror and the incomprehensibility of what was happening, many knew, somehow, that they had a unique responsibility to record what they saw. They reached for their cameras.

This unprecedented History Channel documentary joins hundreds of pieces of their footage and audiotape into a single, seamless historical record. It is an intensely personal perspective of the tragedy, communicating for the first time that morning s events, as they were experienced by people around New York. It is an evocative, authentic and reverential memorial to one of the most cataclysmic events in world history.

Note: this movie consists of actual footage taken on September 11, 2001. There are many scenes of a sensitive nature that may be hard to watch.
 

Join Beverly Lafferty as she discusses the journey from Armistice Day to Veterans Day and how we remember those who served.  An outline of the history of Armistice Day will be discussed, as well as why it came about.  Participants will learn about the transition to Veterans Day and how we honor and remember those who served our great country.

This panhandle born girl rose from obscurity to be a giant in aviation and in business. Though not receiving the publicity that Amelia Earhart is accorded, she accomplished much, much more in a life filled with triumphs and heart break. At one point she held every woman's aviation record, was instrumental in forming the WAAC (Woman's Auxiliary Army Corps), the WASP (Woman's Airforce Service Pilots), was an acclaimed test pilot, was the first woman pilot to break the sound barrier, and was the driving force in forming the first woman's astronaut group.

Come join in the viewing of Pearl Harbor: The Real Story on the 80th anniversary that shows rare photos and video clips of the attack from both the U.S. and Japanese sources. It has many accounts from men and women who were there, and shows their compelling stories. The last half hour is devoted to all of the military installations as they looked in 2001. It also includes a video tour of the USS Arizona and Utah memorials above and below the water, as well as the airstrips that still show damage and spot repairs. Because of the length of this video, it will meet for two days.

Originally called our “Founders,” (the term “Founding Fathers” was not used until 1916), we learned in school about the men who came together to create our Constitution.  They are Patriots, a term we hear often lately.  However, those men are not the only folks who in one way or another, helped bring our country into existence and are deserving of being listed in the pantheon of American patriots.  Attorney Jerry Colen will be with us to speak about some of the men and women who, through their love of America and their strength of character, helped to mold and to create our country.  We'll learn about some of the well-known and not-so-well-known men and women who are, our American Patriots. 

From July 1 through July 3, 1863, in a small college town in Pennsylvania, the momentous Battle of Gettysburg took place. Although the American Civil War would continue on for another year and a half, Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee, would never again mount an invasion of the North. Jerry Colen will be here to take us back in time to that horrific battle in the War that Jerry believes is still with us to this day.

This is intended to be an educational and academic experience which will attempt to explain “impeachment.” Many citizens are not well versed in why this process exists or how it works. The goal of this session is to explain “what” it is, “why” it exists and “how” it is intended to work. To achieve those goals it will examine 5 impeachment cases from U.S. history. This is absolutely not a forum for anyone’s political views.

Marion County's history is full of fascinating people and events. Lizzy Jane is a compilation of some those women living in Marion County in the late 1800's. How did women handle things with their husbands away at war? What kind of determination did they embody to settle this raw land? Why is Ocala called "Brick City?" You'll find out the answers to these questions and more when you attend this historical presentation and meet Lizzy Jane, herself!

This PowerPoint program exposes a secret, backstabbing counter plot by the Massachusetts Bay Governor to block the American rebels' efforts to remove English control over their lives and livelihoods. Once the contents are revealed by Franklin from London, it will cost him his political standing, reputation, any hopes of any concessions or compromise with the crown, and his job as Postmaster in America. When he leaves England he is a changed man.

The CIA Museum, inside the CIA Headquarters building in Langley, Virginia is not open to the public. Don Wyman, a CIA retiree, recently was given both a special 2-hour private tour by the museum director and also, exclusive permission and support in creating this special PowerPoint "Private Tour" of the museum.

This unique tour includes many espionage artifacts never before made public, reveals some declassified, previously top-secret intelligence operations, and identifies some of the brave people who carried them out.

This presentation reveals the depth and types of skills needed by CIA personnel to use clandestine operations to collect intelligence in difficult, to near-impossible, situations in foreign countries, all this while under surveillance by anti-espionage professionals. It also reveals some of those secret (now unclassified) successes that were accomplished against all odds.

After the War of 1812 ended, the United States emerged and grew. Although this time period was called the Era of Good Feelings, sectionalism issues kept coming up. Why was there only one political party? Why did nobody oppose President Monroe? And, was there a corrupt bargain against Andrew Jackson in 1824?

Who is Andrew Jackson fighting now? Jackson wins the election of 1828 and transforms the United States in a number of ways. However, his actions make enemies. Some think this time period should actually be called the Age of Henry Clay?

The United States expanded in the mid-1800s and many felt the United States was destined to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. What conflicts and growing pains would the country encounter as it grew?

Why did Spanish ships refuse to land on this tropical paradise for almost 200 years? How did a resident of Key West become Florida’s first millionaire?

As the United States grew politically and economically, what is athe reaction to all these changes socially? The 2nd Great Awakening begins a period of social change in the United States.

America is a land in which extremism is no longer on the fringes of our society, but now exists in the national mainstream. Although our national focus has been primarily on the threat from foreign terrorist groups, domestic groups pose a far greater threat to our democracy. These groups have always been here, especially the radical right ones, but they resided on the dark fringes of society. That is no longer the case. Their numbers have increased dramatically in the past 20 years and have migrated into the mainstream. This presentation will look at how this happened, what its implications for our democracy are, and what can be done to counter it.

America is a land in which extremism is no longer on the fringes of our society, but now exists in the national mainstream. Although our national focus has been primarily on the threat from foreign terrorist groups, domestic groups pose a far greater threat to our democracy. These groups have always been here, especially the radical right ones, but they resided on the dark fringes of society. That is no longer the case. Their numbers have increased dramatically in the past 20 years and have migrated into the mainstream. This presentation will look at how this happened, what its implications for our democracy are, and what can be done to counter it.

After the Mexican War ends, the United States unofficially divides. A dozen years later, the country will officially split and cause the Civil War.
What caused this divide and how did it continue to split? Could the secession of the southern states been stopped?

A look at the American Civil War without going too deep into military strategy. What was the basic plan for both sides, and why did the Union eventually defeat the Confederate forces? Warning- this is a very quick overview that will not go very deep into topics.

History frequently and unfortunately deservedly gets the reaction: "Ugh, names, dates, and places." This session will take you from colonial settlement to 9/11 by listing a number of important events with a (mercifully) brief explanation of why they are important and how they have effected our nation's development and evolution.

The American Revolution was an incredibly significant event in the evolution of the relationship of people to their government. This session’s goal is to provide an overview and basic understanding of that development. It will start with the background and causes and then move through the flow of the major events from 1763 through the Declaration of Independence. The focus will be on “why” and “how” these events are important.

The Great Depression and World War II were two of the major catastrophes of the 20th Century. These sessions intend to examine the U.S. before and during the Great Depression and then as it approached and ultimately became involved in The War. While obviously connected, each session can be viewed and attended as a separate entity. 

Boom and Bust: The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression in the U.S.- A brief overview of these fascinating times. The glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age were followed by the unprecedented disaster of the Great Depression. This presentation will look at the events and currents of the 1920’s; foreign and domestic, the good, the bad and the ugly, and then do the same in the 30s. What a contrast between “Blue Skies, nothing but blue skies do I see” to “Brother can you spare a dime."

The Great Depression and World War II were two of the major catastrophies of the 20th Century. These sessions intend to examine the U.S. before and during the Great Depression and then as it approached and ultimately became involved in “The War.” While obviously connected, each session can be viewed and attended as a separate entity. 
The Great Depression and the Road to World War II- This presentation aims to take us through the catastrophic economic collapse of the Great Depression as it persisted through the 1930’s and influenced the world’s approach to World War II. The emphasis will be primarily on the U.S. but events in Europe and Asia will be referenced.

A frontier that was a constant scene of border raiders, slave chasers, militia reprisals, Indian raids and war, Florida was a land painted crimson by the blood and flames that raced over it for more than three centuries. It was one of history's most violent venues. Periods of peace were short to non-existent. This presentation covers the plight of Florida’s inhabitants during Spain’s first ownership, England's administration of a "vacant colony," and Spain's lack of ability and desire to maintain its two Florida colonies. Stability was non-existent. Florida's legacy is one of violence.

Before Florida became part of the newly minted United States it was known as a haven for lawlessness and violence. This legacy carried 
forward as Florida became part of the US frontier and remained so well into the 1900's.. Spain’s inability to protect and control its colony after its return in 1783, made it and its people vulnerable. Starting before Andrew Jackson's initiation of the 1st Seminole War, periods of peace were short to non-existent. Becoming a US territory and then a state did little to change that. Florida's heritage is one of violence.

The final period of turmoil and bloodshed that ended in the Civil War and its disastrous consequences for Florida. The strife that was an everyday reality for the Native Americans, settlers, slaves, soldiers, and governments came to a horrible climax after the Second & Third Seminole wars followed closely by the Civil War. Learn about these most violent and disturbing years of the state’s history. The almost hundred years of killing and destruction was finally over. What happened shaped and controlled Florida’s next 80 years.

Explore the life and times of the "King of the Crackers." Jake Summerlin was the most influential man in Florida from its admittance to the union, until the twilight of the 20th century. Summerlin pioneered and was the prominent force in the cattle business, the most important building block of Florida's early economy. Jake fought and befriended the Seminoles, settled family feuds, and was a political "king maker." He also donated the state's first free public school, Orlando's first Court House and established the first international telegraph service.

When someone says, "The Revolutionary War" do you think of Florida? This presentation covers the intrigues, chaos, and violence that Florida became in this period. Not many people know what happened in Florida, Britain's 14^th Colony during the war. It was the only colony to stay loyal to the Crown and its people paid dearly for their choice. During the Revolutionary War and thirty-five years after, were periods of bloody violence in the state that made Dodge City and Tombstone look like Quaker Sunday school picnics. This is the story of why this occurred.

During World War II, many U.S. citizens of Japanese descent were relocated to one of eleven Internment Camps. This class will explore what prompted the relocation of thousands, who was chosen, what was it like in these camps, and what happened when these camps were closed. Personal photos, historic video, and the son of two internees will provide an insight into the life in these camps. Please note: This is not a political discussion.

The Preamble's second tenet is "ensure domestic tranquility." The founders condoning slavery undermined this. Racism is the child of slavery. Understanding American slavery is not for children as human exploitation, evil, is at its core. Understanding the past is the prelude to the future. "A nation cannot choose its past. It can only choose its future."

Florida entered the union in 1845 as a slave state in a balance of power with Iowa, admitted as a free state. Florida would become the third state to secede from the union. Vestiges of the Confederacy endures in the flags of seven former slave states, Florida included. Marion County is included among the cotton counties of Florida. At the start of the Civil War, 61% of the population of Marion County were enslaved. Vestiges of slavery remain in Florida and Marion County.

COVID-19 may usher in a second reconstruction of America. The devastation of the Civil War necessitated a reconstruction of our nation, not only physically but morally. The period of reconstruction was contentious and violent. Equality was a novel political idea in the 1776 Revolution. The Civil War laid bare slavery was the biggest obstacle "toward a more perfect union." Despite reconstruction's failures, it deepened the meaning of equality, particularly in passing the 13, 14 and 15th amendments. Reconstruction raises the question: While the south lost the war, did it win the peace?

Large scale use of Railroads in warfare first took place during the American Civil War, where trains delivered troops into battle and served as ambulances and a means of evacuating civilians. This discussion includes the building of the railroads and the dangers and discomforts of traveling on them. Also, original railroad items from the Civil War are displayed and explained.

Large scale use of Railroads in warfare first took place during the American Civil War, where trains delivered troops into battle and served as ambulances and a means of evacuating civilians. This discussion includes the building of the railroads and the dangers and discomforts of traveling on them. Also, original railroad items from the Civil War are displayed and explained.

Florida played an interesting role in the Civil War.  The instructor, dressed in a Marion County uniform, tells that story, not only about the armies, navies, and battles, but also of the civilian life.  The people not only dealt with shortages, but with the death and destruction the war bought to Florida's sparsely populated towns, from Fernandina to Key West.

The Marshall Plantation Raid by black Union soldiers on March 10, 1865 was the only time the Civil War came to Marion County. Misrepresented and inaccurately portrayed historically, this presentation tells the untold story. This crazy raid had a unit of black men travel 100 miles behind enemy lines. The story of their exodus-like journey is gripping. Hear the truth!

Courage is where you find it. High in the skies over the Pacific. Or, slogging in the muddy mountains of Italy.

West Palm Beach graduate Commander David McCampbell was the US Navy’s most famous "Ace" in the Pacific in WWII, shooting down 34 Japanese planes and Commander of the Air Group on the carrier Essex. He set a record for shooting down 9 in one day.

James Henry Mills, born near Mulberry Florida, was often called the "Sargent York of WWII." His single-handed exploits in a battle defy any movie writer's duplication. When called to be decorated, his fear was he would be court-martialed for losing his rifle during the battle. His life of hardship is a sobering tale of how some of our bravest fare.