World History   

The Italian Renaissance lasted 200 years and gave the world man's most glorious artistic achievements. This program is not about art or beauty. Using 70 images and historical anecdotes, Prof. Didier explains what fueled the 1st Renaissance, who started it and how Rome became the center of the Renaissance in the 1400s. Discover the people, the power, the plots and the murders that fueled the dark side of the magnificent Renaissance.

Discover the remarkable evolution of U.S. military small arms during the First and Second World Wars. This course will explore how the United States became the "Arsenal of Democracy," supplying not only its own forces but also those of its allies through industrial innovation and mass production.

You'll learn about the design, function, and history of the weapons that helped shape the modern battlefield—from bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic pistols to revolvers and carbines. Topics include:

 

• Weapon types and their intended battlefield roles
• Caliber, dimensions, and technical specifications
• Manufacturing origins, including production years and facilities
• Distribution to various military branches and theaters of war
• Total production numbers and historical context

The instructor will present a curated selection of original U.S. small arms from the era. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have the unique opportunity to view—and carefully handle—some of these authentic historical artifacts.

Whether you're a military history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, this course offers an unforgettable hands-on journey through America's wartime armament legacy.

While the evacuation of troops at Dunkirk in June, 1940 brought most of the men home, it left ALL of its military equipment behind, which left the British army in a perilous state.  In late summer, the German Luftwaffe attacked, trying to destroy the Royal Air Force (RAF), which would leave Britain vulnerable to invasion, or at least open to negotiation.  The resulting Battle of Britain was narrowly won by the British through the foresight, planning, leadership, and steadfastness of Air Marshall Hugh Dowding and the tremendous bravery of the RAF pilots.  The best of the RAF squadrons was the Polish Kosciuszko Squadron.  The purpose of this course is to tell the fascinating story of how the British won the battle and the role of the Polish squadron.

Alan Turing was an early pioneer in computer science and artificial intelligence. He worked as a code breaker during WWII. Though he achieved much, the bulk of his work was hidden as it was considered "classified." Later, his life was enmeshed in scandal and in the end he took his own life. Recently, the United Kingdom, his home land, has recognized his achievements and contribution to the country by placing his likeness on the 50-pound currency note. We owe much to his work with the technology we use in our lives every day. In this class, we'll look at his work and contribution to the modern society.

In this course, we will take a brief look at the major developments leading up to and through the catastrophe that was World War II. Obviously this is intended to be the briefest overview of some of the major political and military activities in the major theaters: Asia, Europe, North Africa, the Eastern Front and the Western Front. We'll focus on how these events impacted the conflict. For example, among the topics to be reviewed are the Japanese invasion of Manchuria; the Munich Agreement; September 1, 1939; December 7, 1941; battles at El Alamein; Midway; Stalingrad; Kursk; Saipan; and Normandy.

Using more than 90 images and historical facts/anecdotes, Prof Didier explains early Russian history from the 1st princes, kings and tsars to the last tsar. Along the way, discover the truth about if Ivan really was 'the Terrible' and if Empress Catherine deserved the title 'Great' and many other naughty secrets of the Rurik & Romanov Royal Houses of Imperial Russia.

When we think of the Revolutionary War, our minds gather on our Founding Fathers and Mothers and the Continental Army that fought to gain our freedom as a separate and independent country. Art is rarely mentioned, even though our national museums have much of it to show us. Come learn about the role art and artists played in the shaping of our national history.

In August of 1945 the leaders of Japan truly struggled with the decision to surrender. This course, using English language sources, reviews the debates and intrigues within the government that brought Japan to "bear the unbearable."

Florida had many military camps, fields and bases during WWII. One of the largest at 165,000 acres was Camp Gordon Johnston, a US Army camp for training infantry for amphibious assault located in Franklin County. This camp in its three phases hosted a quarter of a million servicemembers from 1942 to 1946. Soldiers that trained at CGJ served in both theaters of the war, from the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of New Guinea, from the liberated European ports to the landings at Iwo Jima.

Attend this presentation by Lisa Keith-Lucas, a volunteer at the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, and learn how Florida’s forgotten coastline helped win World War II.

About Lisa Keith-Lucas - Click Here

Lisa Keith-Lucas is the dedicated archivist and president of the board at the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle, Florida. With a background in science education and degrees in chemistry and geosciences, she brings an analytical approach to preserving and interpreting the museum's extensive collection of over 1,500 artifacts. Her meticulous research has been instrumental in identifying and documenting the names, hometowns, and final resting places of soldiers who trained at the camp, often overcoming challenges posed by incomplete historical records.

Lisa's passion for WWII history is deeply personal. Her mother's experiences growing up in Nazi-occupied Norway and her husband's grandfather's service and death in World War I have profoundly influenced her commitment to preserving these stories. She has been a driving force in uncovering the contributions of African American service members who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston, including the 473rd, 471st, and 476th Amphibious Truck Companies, which played pivotal roles in the Iwo Jima campaign.

Under her leadership, the museum has expanded its facilities to better showcase its collection, including a new building to house vintage military vehicles and a permanent exhibit space . Lisa continues to share the rich history of Camp Gordon Johnston through public lectures, collaborations with local organizations, and educational outreach, ensuring that the sacrifices and stories of these soldiers are preserved for future generations.

Step back in time and experience World War II history brought to life through the voices, memories, and treasures of our community.

Visit and experience history as exhibitors share personal collections and displays that commemorate the men and women of the Greatest Generation. From uniforms and medals to letters, photographs, and cherished heirlooms, each exhibitor table tells a story of service, sacrifice, and resilience.

This is more than an exhibition. It is a living tribute to those who answered the call of duty, whether on the battlefield or the home front. Walk through the displays, listen to the stories, and join us in honoring their enduring legacy.

Together, we remember. Together, we honor.

We examine the life—warts and all—of one of the most influential men of the 20th century. Best known as a world leader, he was also a soldier, journalist, author, and orator, whose career included both remarkable triumphs and notable failures. This course explores not only his public legacy but also the personal convictions and controversies that shaped his complex journey.

On the eve of Pearl Harbor, Florida was the smallest state in the South (smaller than Arkansas or South Carolina). Today, Florida is the third largest state in the nation.

World War II represents a watershed and a revolution. Florida was home to hundreds of World War II military bases. The war left a legacy of a commitment to higher education (the GI Bill) and the beginning of the Sunbelt revolution powered by air conditioning, Interstate highways, and a flood of senior citizens who flocked to the Sunshine State.  Professor Mormino is writing a book on Florida and World War II and will be presenting remotely.

About Gary Mormino - Click Here

Gary R. Mormino, Ph.D. | Historian | Author | Professor Emeritus | Florida Humanities Scholar

Dr. Gary R. Mormino is one of Florida’s most respected historians and a leading voice on the state’s social and cultural evolution. He is the Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History Emeritus and former director of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he taught from 1977 until his retirement. He currently continues to educate the public as a frequent columnist for the Tampa Bay Times and through numerous public talks and writings.

A graduate of Millikin University (B.A.) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Ph.D.), Dr. Mormino has dedicated his academic career to exploring the intersections of immigration, urban development, and Florida history. His acclaimed books include Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida (2005), widely regarded as a definitive work on the state’s postwar transformation. Michael Gannon, the noted “dean of Florida studies,” praised the book as “the standard against which all future such efforts in Florida will be measured.”

Dr. Mormino's early scholarly contributions include Immigrants on the Hill: Italian-Americans in St. Louis, 1882–1982, winner of the Howard R. Marraro Prize for outstanding writing in Italian history, and The Immigrant World of Ybor City (co-authored with George Pozzetta), which received the Theodore Saloutos Prize for excellence in ethnic and immigration history.

In addition to his historical scholarship, Dr. Mormino has written and co-authored works exploring Florida’s environment and conservation legacy, including The Everglades: An Environmental History, Waters Less Traveled, and Death in the Everglades: The Murder of Guy Bradley.

A prolific writer and public historian, Dr. Mormino contributes regularly to Florida newspapers, including The Tampa Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, and Miami Herald, and was named the first Humanist of the Year by the Florida Humanities Council in 2003. In 2014, he received the Florida Lifetime Achievement Award for Writing, honoring a career devoted to chronicling the complex, diverse, and ever-changing story of the Sunshine State.

Dr. Mormino is currently completing a long-anticipated book on Florida during World War II, continuing his lifelong mission to deepen our understanding of the state’s place in American history.

Music plays an important role to inspire, educate, and entertain. The music and songs of World War II built the morale of a nation. Starting with "Remember Pearl Harbor, through "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," to the jilting lyrics of "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" by the Andrews sisters, music played an essential role in leading to the most significant victory of all times.

Malta, an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea, is a strategically important group of islands. The archipelago has through its long and turbulent history played a vital role in the struggles of a succession of powers. Learn about this jewel from a Maltese citizen who will go into the history, culture, travel opportunities and many other facets of the island.

As the first World War ends in 1919, the infamous Treaty of Versailles is signed in France to impose global peace on the defeated nations of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Explore how the far reaching consequences of this move set in motion the inexorable march to another World War.