American History   

The nation was shocked when on April 12, 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. The nation was in the thick of World War II on both sides of the globe. Our very existence as a nation was at stake. Into the breech was thrust a man virtually unknown to the American public. He faced some of the most monumental decisions of our history.

The dropping of the first two atomic bombs, our initial confrontation with the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Cold War, and his decision to desegregate the United States Military. On the 75th Anniversary of Truman signing the National Security Act, explore with instructor Joe Bartosh the issues Truman had and his place in history.

Despite have no standing Army or Navy, the Colonies had to face the largest, experienced Army and Fleet on earth. The odds of successfully rebelling and gaining independence from under the yoke of the British Crown were not good. What was not needed were acts of treason, by traitors to the independence movement. Yet, three men in positions of trust and authority secretly plotted against the rebels. Who were they and why did they do it?

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.

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.

Richmond was a peaceful, prosperous, sophisticated and charming, southern city. There was a fashionable society of wealthy plantation owners who enjoyed the Good Life. Then, it became the Capital of the Confederacy. As such, it also brought soldiers and all the camp followers; gamblers, thieves, prostitutes - disreputable people. Compound that situation with a shrinking economy, inflation, shortage of food and other necessities, and you have a recipe for looting, crime, poverty and degradation.

The poignant story of how, together two Americans faced and conquered red tape, engineering obstacles, corruption and personal trials to train and equip the US Marines for their greatest challenges.

The story of the LVT, an amphibious vehicle the Marines used to win the war in the Pacific. Two historical figures fight technical and bureaucratic party, and a magazine article can alter history and save 100,000 lives. 

FWA Royal Palm Literary Award winner – Runner-up Best Historical Novel.

One would be hard pressed to name an unimportant presidential election. Having said that this session will review 13 elections which, for a variety of reasons, stand out as particularly noteworthy: 1800, 1824, 1860, 1876, 1912, 1920, 1932, 1948, 1964, 1968, 1980, 1992, and 2000. We'll cover the winner and the loser(s), the issues of each election, and the impact of the result.

Currently, in some places as Florida, the teaching of slavery in schools, is under attack. Adults more than children should know its history, but most had little in-depth exposure. The Founding Fathers sanctioned slavery, a root cause of why we lack "domestic tranquility" today. Slavery was not unique to America but it developed a pernicious form. Unfortunately, slavery today as human trafficking throughout the world is second to drug trafficking.

Hear selected anecdotes about former presidents beginning with Andrew Jackson through Ronald Reagan. Jim Seidule shares some of the most memorable presidential stories, many that have rarely been told before.

Chesterfield Smith was down-to-earth, unrefined (despite his elegant wife’s best efforts)-and one of the most influential lawyers of his time. He helped create Florida's modern constitution; brought women and minorities into law practice and served as their mentor; built a four-man, small-town Florida law firm into the 1,600-lawyer worldwide firm Holland & Knight; and was among the first to publicly condemn President Nixon's illegal actions in the Watergate scandal. His driving force was that lawyers can, and should, make the world a better place.

Our Constitution. It keeps us safe. Attorney Jerry Colen will be with us to speak about the American Constitution, the oldest written constitution throughout the world.

A completely different tour with totally different artifacts whose background stories are revealed and colorfully illustrated by a CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 2 of an ongoing series that will contain, as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out. It reveals two of the most expensive operations in CIA history!

A completely unique tour with totally different artifacts and background stories revealed and colorfully illustrated by Dr. Don Wyman, CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 3 of an ongoing series that contains as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out to combat smothering enemy surveillance.

Florida had been a refuge for enslaved persons escaping from slave states and were welcomed by the native population. Florida eventually entered the Union as a slave state. It became part of the "Cotton Kingdom" from 1845 until the Civil War.  Currently, descendants of slave holders and enslaved sharing the same surname are residents.

The "Lost Cause" and neo-Confederates advocates disparage Reconstruction as a failure. Yet, historians today call it "The Second American Revolution," as it made the idea of equality more than an aspirational notion, spelling out in law implications of equality in the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th amendments. In today's Congressional climate, they would probably never pass.  Reconstruction made equality more of a reality, bringing us closer to "A more perfect Union."

Two almost unknown heores who saved the Revolution before it had really beghun. One gave Washington his first major victory, without firing a shot. The second saved the Army from cetain destruction and gave Washington his first battelfield victory. Plus some "revolutionary" women. Who were they and what did they do? Come find out.

The story of the Navy during the American Revolution and Civil War is often overlooked, yet it is a fascinating tale of Privateers, Ships-of-the-Line, Ironclads, Blockade Runners, and Submarines. This course covers them all, including anecdotes of the men who served on them.

The raid on March 10, 1865 was the only time the war came to Marion County. Misrepresented and inaccurately portrayed, this risky raid came only weeks before the war's end. Learn about the "experiment" in having Black soldiers and their difficult journey. Then, follow a unit of Black men who planned and led their own mission, traveling 100 miles behind enemy lines to prove their mettle as they are being chased by the local Confederate hero. A gripping journey awaits.

This PowerPoint program opens a door into the Native American's world of Art, Time, Peace Pipes & Treaties, Dwellings, Music & Instruments, Dances, Bows & Arrows, Numerology and Sacred Rituals & Ceremonies. Then, it reveals the hardships they had to endure, over and over, from the “Manifest Destiny” incursions on their homelands, hunting grounds, food sources, pony express, telegraph lines, settlers, gold-miners and soldiers building their forts and carrying out of their frequent, surprise massacres.