Public Programs

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 7 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

In this special America 250 webinar, experts from Arlington National Cemetery, the National Museum of the United States Army, the National Park Service, and the Museum of the American Revolution will come together to explore the many legacies of the American Revolution at the property that is now Arlington National Cemetery. Topics will include the commemoration of George Washington at Arlington House, the Revolutionary War veterans reburied at Arlington National Cemetery, and the fascinating artifacts that link Arlington to the nation’s founding conflict.

 

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

In this special America 250 webinar, experts from Arlington National Cemetery, the National Museum of the United States Army, the National Park Service, and the Museum of the American Revolution will come together to explore the many legacies of the American Revolution at the property that is now Arlington National Cemetery. Topics will include the commemoration of George Washington at Arlington House, the Revolutionary War veterans reburied at Arlington National Cemetery, and the fascinating artifacts that link Arlington to the nation’s founding conflict. 

 

During World War II, the drawing of a man with a long nose peeking over something, accompanied by the words "Kilroy was here,” surfaced on ships, vehicles, walls, and even enemy territory. The image spread to wherever American Soldiers were stationed in both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation. Its prevalence came to symbolize the presence, perseverance, and commitment of the American military during the conflict. 
 
Kilroy wasn't the first nor the last example of Soldier graffiti. Soldiers have left their mark in various forms on furniture, equipment, and walls since the Revolutionary War. Their messages capture the basic human need to mark their existence and connect with others. Today, their messages serve as poignant reminders of their sacrifices and commitment to their country. 
 
In this History Talk, explore the realities of wartime life and service through the lens of Soldier graffiti. Discover how their artwork offers an unfiltered window into the realities of wartime life and reflects broader themes of identity, resistance, and remembrance.

 

During World War II, the drawing of a man with a long nose peeking over something, accompanied by the words "Kilroy was here,” surfaced on ships, vehicles, walls, and even enemy territory. The image spread to wherever American Soldiers were stationed in both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation. Its prevalence came to symbolize the presence, perseverance, and commitment of the American military during the conflict. 
 
Kilroy wasn't the first nor the last example of Soldier graffiti. Soldiers have left their mark in various forms on furniture, equipment, and walls since the Revolutionary War. Their messages capture the basic human need to mark their existence and connect with others. Today, their messages serve as poignant reminders of their sacrifices and commitment to their country. 
 
In this History Talk, explore the realities of wartime life and service through the lens of Soldier graffiti. Discover how their artwork offers an unfiltered window into the realities of wartime life and reflects broader themes of identity, resistance, and remembrance.

 

 

 Since the Army’s founding, animals have been a part of the Soldier’s experience in times of both war and peace. Animals have been used during mounted attacks, as transportation, for communication, and for bomb and other hazardous detection. 

Not only have animals played key roles as warriors and workers, but they’ve also served as companions and mascots. Whether a dog, horse, bird, bear, or some other creature, animals provide much-needed distraction, comfort, and companionship, and have even been considered bearers of good luck. 

In this History Talk, explore the service of animals in the U.S. Army and the timeless and enduring relationship between Soldiers and animals.

 

 

 Since the Army’s founding, animals have been a part of the Soldier’s experience in times of both war and peace. Animals have been used during mounted attacks, as transportation, for communication, and for bomb and other hazardous detection. 

Not only have animals played key roles as warriors and workers, but they’ve also served as companions and mascots. Whether a dog, horse, bird, bear, or some other creature, animals provide much-needed distraction, comfort, and companionship, and have even been considered bearers of good luck. 

In this History Talk, explore the service of animals in the U.S. Army and the timeless and enduring relationship between Soldiers and animals.

 

 

 Soldiers are warriors both on and off the battlefield. 

Many Soldiers have applied the same dedication, teamwork, and patriotism required to accomplish their mission to athletic competition. Since 1948, over 400 Soldiers have represented the United States at the Olympics. One hundred Soldiers have earned medals in a variety of sports, including boxing, wrestling, pentathlon, and bobsled. Before official record-keeping, many American Olympians enlisted in the Army during World War II to protect and defend the United States. Today, this tradition of athletic accomplishment continues in the Army's World Class Athlete Program, which trains Soldiers to perform at the highest level in their sports. 

In this History Talk, learn more about the commitments, sacrifices, and accomplishments of these Soldier Olympians. 

 

 

 

 

 Soldiers are warriors both on and off the battlefield. 

Many Soldiers have applied the same dedication, teamwork, and patriotism required to accomplish their mission to athletic competition. Since 1948, over 400 Soldiers have represented the United States at the Olympics. One hundred Soldiers have earned medals in a variety of sports, including boxing, wrestling, pentathlon, and bobsled. Before official record-keeping, many American Olympians enlisted in the Army during World War II to protect and defend the United States. Today, this tradition of athletic accomplishment continues in the Army's World Class Athlete Program, which trains Soldiers to perform at the highest level in their sports. 

In this History Talk, learn more about the commitments, sacrifices, and accomplishments of these Soldier Olympians. 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, July 16, 2026, 7 p.m. (ET) - Virtual

Join retired U.S. Army Col. Richard W. Stewart, Ph.D. for a look at the history of Army special operations and their missions from Desert Storm (1991) to the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (2002), and a first-person account of experiencing conflict through the lens of a combat historian.

Richard W. Stewart retired as Chief Historian of the US Army in October 2015, after 40 years of combined service both as a civilian, in the Army Reserve, and on active duty. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1986. His historical works include "War in the Persian Gulf: Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, August 1990–March 1991;" "The United States Army in Somalia, 1992–1994;" and "The U.S. Army in Afghanistan: Operation Enduring Freedom, October 2001 to March 2002." 

 

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 7 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

In the hot summer of 1862 in the Northern Virginia piedmont region, Union General John Pope took command of scattered Yankee forces guarding Washington, D.C. The boastful Pope soon adopted an offensive strategy against the opposing Confederate Army. Learn from Museum educator John Maass how Pope's command fared on the battlefields around Manassas, fighting against two of the South's best generals.

John R. Maass is a historian and educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. He received a BA in history from Washington & Lee University, and a PhD in early U.S. history from the Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (80th Division). His most recent book is "The Battles of Spencer's Ordinary and Green Spring, 1781" (2025).

 

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

In the hot summer of 1862 in the Northern Virginia piedmont region, Union General John Pope took command of scattered Yankee forces guarding Washington, D.C. The boastful Pope soon adopted an offensive strategy against the opposing Confederate Army. Learn from Museum educator John Maass how Pope's command fared on the battlefields around Manassas, fighting against two of the South's best generals.

John R. Maass is a historian and educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. He received a BA in history from Washington & Lee University, and a PhD in early U.S. history from the Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (80th Division). His most recent book is "The Battles of Spencer's Ordinary and Green Spring, 1781" (2025).

 

 

Thursday, August 20, 2026, 7 p.m. (ET) - Virtual

"The Airborne Mafia" explores how a small group of World War II airborne officers took control of the US Army after World War II. This powerful cadre cemented a unique airborne culture that had an unprecedented impact on the Cold War US Army and beyond. With a deft touch, deep research, and an unwavering eye for the human stories behind organizational change, Robert Williams helps explain the existence and importance of the paratrooper mystique that remains within the military still today.

Robert F. Williams is a historian with the Army University Press and Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. A former airborne infantry non-commissioned officer, he has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

 

Virtual Battle Brief

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 7 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, September 9, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

During the first two years of the Revolutionary War, former British Army officer Horatio Gates was a godsend to the American cause. A superb administrator, combat veteran of the Seven Years War, and the Continental Army's second in command in 1775, he showed great promise in the fight for American liberty. And by the Fall of 1777, he had led the army that defeated the British and Hessians at Saratoga in the forests of northern New York, the war's biggest victory to date. But as historian John Maass explains, Gates's laurels turned to willows when the general turned against George Washington, suffered a crushing battlefield defeat in South Carolina in 1780, and became involved in mutinous actions at Newburgh, New York, in the war's final year.

John R. Maass is a historian and educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. He received a BA in history from Washington & Lee University, and a PhD in early U.S. history from the Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (80th Division). His most recent book is “The Battles of Spencer’s Ordinary and Green Spring, 1781” (2025).

 

In-Person Battle Brief

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 12 p.m. ET

During the first two years of the Revolutionary War, former British Army officer Horatio Gates was a godsend to the American cause. A superb administrator, combat veteran of the Seven Years War, and the Continental Army's second in command in 1775, he showed great promise in the fight for American liberty. And by the Fall of 1777, he had led the army that defeated the British and Hessians at Saratoga in the forests of northern New York, the war's biggest victory to date. But as historian John Maass explains, Gates's laurels turned to willows when the general turned against George Washington, suffered a crushing battlefield defeat in South Carolina in 1780, and became involved in mutinous actions at Newburgh, New York, in the war's final year.

John R. Maass is a historian and educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. He received a BA in history from Washington & Lee University, and a PhD in early U.S. history from the Ohio State University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (80th Division). His most recent book is “The Battles of Spencer’s Ordinary and Green Spring, 1781” (2025).

 

History Hike 

Occupied by Union forces on May 24, 1861, Alexandria became the Confederacy's longest-occupied city. Strategically positioned across the Potomac River from Washington, it functioned as a massive Union supply depot, medical hub, and sanctuary for freedom seekers until the war's end. With its port and rail connections, Alexandria was transformed into a major logistical center. Dozens of public buildings, churches, and private homes were commandeered to serve as military barracks, prisons, and hospitals. Spend two hours on a walking tour of Old Town Alexandria with Museum educators Kenna Howat Felix and John Maass to learn about the city’s Civil War past.

This walking tour will begin and end in Old Town Alexandria. Ability Level: moderate due to terrain. The tour will be over partly uneven brick and stone walkways.

John R. Maass is a historian and educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. He received a Ph.D. in early U.S. history from the Ohio State University. His most recent book is “The Battles of Spencer’s Ordinary and Green Spring, 1781” (2025).

Kenna Howat Felix is a Museum Educator at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. She received a master’s degree in history from George Mason University. She has over 12 years’ experience working in museums throughout the Washington, D.C. area.