As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday and Colorado marks its 150th anniversary of statehood, American Legion Post 119 is sponsoring a series of public programs exploring the ideas and events that shaped the nation.
Several of the programs are being co-sponsored by the Estes Valley Library.
Programs in the series to date have included “The American Character,” presented by retired history teacher Jeff Arnold; “The American Revolution,” by historian and author Walter R. Borneman; “Religion in the Formation of America,” presented by Christine Dempsey, pastor of Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies; “What you never knew about the U.S. Constitution,” presented by Robert Natelson, a retired law professor, constitutional law scholar, and author; Citizenship, presented by the Estes Park Citizenship Project; and “Separation of Powers in the U.S. Constitution,” by Marin Katz, professor of law and former dean of the Strum College of Law, Denver University.
Upcoming programs in the series, which are held at the American Legion, 850 North Saint Vrain Dr., begin Monday, Aug. 10, with “The Civil War,” presented by retired history teacher Jeff Arnold from 5 to 7 p.m.
On Monday, Aug. 24, Nicki Gonzales, a Regis University professor and vice provost, will present “Colorado’s Origin Story” from 5 to 7 p.m.
The series continues on Monday, Sept. 7, when members of American Legion Post 119 will present “9/11 & The Global War on Terror” from 5 to 7 p.m.
On Monday, Sept. 21, historian Laurie Button will discuss “World War I and the Interwar Period” during a program from 5 to 7 p.m.
Members of American Legion Post 119 will return on Monday, Oct. 5, to present “World War II, the Cold War and Beyond,” followed by “Vietnam and America’s 1960s” on Monday, Oct. 19, with both programs scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m.
The series concludes on Monday, Nov. 2, with “Capstone – The Fabric of America,” featuring all previous presenters, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The lectures are free and open to the public.