Public Programs

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 7 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Beginning in 1846, the United States and Mexico fought a bitter two-year war over territorial claims to Texas and American westward expansion. One of the two major military campaigns in this grueling conflict was the U.S. invasion of northern Mexico. Learn from Museum educator and historian Dr. John Maass about the Army's challenges fighting in difficult terrain against determined Mexican resistance, and the emergence of Zachary Taylor as a talented American general.

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 ” (2020).

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 12 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Over 200,000 Americans served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. These diverse individuals eventually came together to form a functioning and professional Army. Join us to explore how American patriots worked together to create the Continental Army by examining the uniforms, equipment, and weapons of Revolutionary War Soldiers.

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Beginning in 1846, the United States and Mexico fought a bitter two-year war over territorial claims to Texas and American westward expansion. One of the two major military campaigns in this grueling conflict was the U.S. invasion of northern Mexico. Learn from Museum educator and historian Dr. John Maass about the Army's challenges fighting in difficult terrain against determined Mexican resistance, and the emergence of Zachary Taylor as a talented American general.

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 ” (2020).

In-Person History Talk

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Over 200,000 Americans served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. These diverse individuals eventually came together to form a functioning and professional Army. Join us to explore how American patriots worked together to create the Continental Army by examining the uniforms, equipment, and weapons of Revolutionary War Soldiers.

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 7 p.m. (ET) - Virtual

"Tecumseh’s War: The Epic Conflict for the Heart of America" is the first complete story of this major conflict. Distinguished historian Don Hickey detaches it from the War of 1812, moving Tecumseh’s confederation to center stage to tell the sweeping and engrossing story of this Indian War—the last time that Indigenous Peoples had a powerful European ally to oppose United States expansion and thus the last chance they had of shaping the future of the continent.

Donald R. Hickey is an award-winning author and historian. Called “the dean of 1812 scholarship” by the New Yorker, Don has written twelve books, including the highly-acclaimed "The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict."

Thursday, April 24, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American. 

On Dec. 27, 1917, the 369th Infantry Regiment docked at 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 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. Learn how their actions along with the thousands of other Black World War I veterans contributed to the Allied victory.  

In this History Talk, examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.  

In-Person History Talk

Thursday, April 24, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American. 

On Dec. 27, 1917, the 369th Infantry Regiment docked at 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 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. Learn how their actions along with the thousands of other Black World War I veterans contributed to the Allied victory.  

In this History Talk, examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.  

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 7 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

During the cagy maneuvers of veteran British and American forces in Virginia leading up to the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, troops under the Marquis de Lafayette and Lt. Gen. Charles, Lord Cornwallis faced off in a short but bloody battle on the banks of the James River on July 6. Discover the story of the Battle of Green Spring during the Revolutionary War with military historian and Museum educator John Maass, and learn how this close range battle nearly destroyed a contingent of the Patriots' army only three months before the war's culminating military operation.   

Dr. 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).

Virtual History Talk

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 12 p.m. ET
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 12 p.m. ET
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Known as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, May 8, 1945 marked the conclusion of World War II operations in Europe. The Allied forces, through immense sacrifice and unwavering determination, liberated Europe.

It was a day of both celebration and reflection, as the world honored the bravery of those who served and remembered the countless lives lost during the conflict. As we commemorate V-E Day this May, we’ll examine the role of U.S. Army paratroopers who served in the D-Day advance operations. 

Just after midnight on June 6, 1944, American paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines to prepare for an invasion force that would arrive at dawn. The Soldiers’ mission was to capture roadways and establish river crossings to support the D-Day invasion. The use of airborne troops, a vital of part the Allies’ campaign plans, was born out of wartime necessity.

Explore how the U.S. Army developed new technology, training, and strategies to overcome challenges and accomplish the mission. Learn how Army airborne troops contributed to Allied Victory in Europe during World War II.

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

During the cagy maneuvers of veteran British and American forces in Virginia leading up to the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, troops under the Marquis de Lafayette and Lt. Gen. Charles, Lord Cornwallis faced off in a short but bloody battle on the banks of the James River on July 6. Discover the story of the Battle of Green Spring during the Revolutionary War with military historian and Museum educator John Maass, and learn how this close range battle nearly destroyed a contingent of the Patriots' army only three months before the war's culminating military operation.   

Dr. 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).

Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7 p.m. (ET) - Virtual

In this definitive account, historian D. Scott Hartwig chronicles the single bloodiest day in American history, which resulted in 23,000 casualties. The Battle of Antietam marked a vital turning point in the war: afterward, the conflict could no longer be understood as a limited war to preserve the Union, but was now clearly a conflict over slavery. Join the author for a detailed look at the battle based on decades of research.

D. Scott Hartwig is a retired supervisory historian at the Gettysburg National Military Park and the author of "To Antietam Creek" (2012). 

In-Person History Talk

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Known as Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, May 8, 1945 marked the conclusion of World War II operations in Europe. The Allied forces, through immense sacrifice and unwavering determination, liberated Europe.

It was a day of both celebration and reflection, as the world honored the bravery of those who served and remembered the countless lives lost during the conflict. As we commemorate V-E Day this May, we’ll examine the role of U.S. Army paratroopers who served in the D-Day advance operations. 

Just after midnight on June 6, 1944, American paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines to prepare for an invasion force that would arrive at dawn. The Soldiers’ mission was to capture roadways and establish river crossings to support the D-Day invasion. The use of airborne troops, a vital of part the Allies’ campaign plans, was born out of wartime necessity.

Explore how the U.S. Army developed new technology, training, and strategies to overcome challenges and accomplish the mission. Learn how Army airborne troops contributed to Allied Victory in Europe during World War II.

Virtual History Talk

Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Generations of Americans have honorably served their country in the military. We the People celebrates Americans who have served, telling their stories, past, present, and future, because every Soldier has a story.

In May 1861, Col. Elmer Ellsworth became the first Union officer to be killed in the Civil War. Ellsworth commanded a regiment of New York Fire Zouaves, regiments raised for volunteer Army service. His sacrifice inspired legions of U.S. Army Soldiers. Tens of thousands of Soldiers following in his footsteps, enduring hardships and challenges to preserve the Union. The items Soldiers carried into the field were invaluable to performing their duty and executing the Army's mission. 

Join us to explore the gear, weapons, and personal items that made up a Civil War Soldier's Load.

In-Person History Talk

Thursday, May 29, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

Generations of Americans have honorably served their country in the military. We the People celebrates Americans who have served, telling their stories, past, present, and future, because every Soldier has a story.

In May 1861, Col. Elmer Ellsworth became the first Union officer to be killed in the Civil War. Ellsworth commanded a regiment of New York Fire Zouaves, regiments raised for volunteer Army service. His sacrifice inspired legions of U.S. Army Soldiers. Tens of thousands of Soldiers following in his footsteps, enduring hardships and challenges to preserve the Union. The items Soldiers carried into the field were invaluable to performing their duty and executing the Army's mission. 

Join us to explore the gear, weapons, and personal items that made up a Civil War Soldier's Load.

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

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).

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 12 p.m. ET

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).