STORIES BY TOPIC

LIST OF TOPICS: Africa & the Middle East - Aging - American Culture - American History - Animals - Art - Aviation/Space - Biography - Christmas -Entertainment - European History & Culture - Exploration - Food - Jewelry - Literature, Poetry & Folk Tales - Music - The Old West - Religion - Science, Health & Technology - Sports - Travel - World at War

AFRICA/THE MIDDLE EAST

**CLEOPATRA VII - THE LAST PHARAOH**
Cleopatra’s is a story of beauty, love, and sly charm. She seduced a number of the Roman rulers of her time, including Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. It’s an epic story filled with adventure, tragedy and romance, and there will be some comedy as well.

**ANCIENT ALEXANDRIA**
Alexandria, Egypt—established in honor of Alexander the Great—was one of the most noted cities of the ancient world. It was especially known for its massive library and its harbor included a huge lighthouse, perhaps the first ever built. Come and explore these and discover more of Alexandria’s history, including a glimpse of the city today.

**PROMISED LAND? - THE ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN CONFLICT**
A look at Israel and Palestine today and the history of the conflict from the ancient days to the events of the last 100 years. Why does conflict continue and is there any solution to it?

**TANZANIAN LAUGHING EPIDEMIC**
They say that laughter is the best medicine, but what happens when you can’t stop laughing? That happened in Tanzania in 1962 when a laughing epidemic went on for days, even shutting down schools. This story tells some of the history of Tanzania and what took place in 1962, looks at studies that have been done on laughter, and covers similar epidemics that have happened throughout history. Come prepared to laugh!

OTHER AFRICA LECTURES:

The Sphinx

AGING

**A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO GROWING OLDER**
Humor is one of the biggest keys to joy in life. You’ll learn some tips for including humor in your life, enjoy some great lines on aging from famous people, and have a lot of laughs along the way—a must lecture for those who want to age successfully!

**GENERATIONS AND AMERICA'S FUTURE**
A look at America’s historical generations and the implications for our future based on the rotation of those generational types--hero, artist, prophet, and rebel. Are the millennials the next hero generation, carrying us through the next secular crisis?

**SHANGRI-LA AND THE BLUE ZONES**
We start with stories of Shangri-La and the Lost Horizon and then learn of the world’s Blue Zones, places that have the highest proportion of centennarians. Find out how these people have lived long and healthy.

**WHAT ARE OLD PEOPLE FOR?**
“Why am I still here?” … “What’s my purpose in life?” … “How long will I live?” … all questions that most of ask as we age. This topic explores some of the demographics of aging in America and around the world, as well as some of the current theories on aging. And hopefully points us to some answers for the unanswerable questions of life.

**WHERE DID I PUT MY … MEMORY?**
Some memory loss is a natural part of aging, but should I be concerned about it? This entertaining lecture provides some details about how memory works, some causes of memory loss, and tips to help remembering the little things.

OTHER AGING LECTURES:

Lifestyles: Caring for Aging Parents

Secrets of Longevity

Starting the Conversation

The Silent Generation

american culture

**GANGSTER TOUR OF TEXAS**
Gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s have sometimes been romanticized in the movies. Hear the true stories of gangsters that actually roamed Texas during those times—Bonnie & Clyde, the Newton Boys, Machine Gun Kelly, the Post Morphine Ring (as in Post, Texas), and more.

Our highway system is something we take for granted today, but it is really a rather recent development. We’ll look at the history of American road development and you might even learn a few things you didn’t know about our modern highways that came into existence under President Eisenhower.

**LIGHTHOUSES OF AMERICA**
Lighthouses have been called “America’s Castles” and Jess and his wife enjoy visiting and photographing them—East Coast, Great Lakes, and West Coast. Hear some of their history and how they work and see amazing pictures from their travels.

**WAGONS ACROSS AMERICA**
From the Conestoga to the Prairie Schooner to the chuck wagon, Americans moved across the trails that would someday become super highways. Our wagon tale includes these, stories about those who manufactured them, and some touches on some modern wagons.

**THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - WOMEN IN THE JAZZ AGE**
The 1920s were not just about flappers. This story of the “first women’s lib movement” includes the women’s suffrage movement, the temperance movement, the Equal Rights Amendment, and famous women jazz musicians.

AMERICAN HISTORY

**THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE**
Another presidential election year! What is this crazy way that we elect our presidents? How does it work? How did we get there? What elections has it changed the outcome of? What changes could improve it? Everything you would want to know about the Electoral College.

**THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE**
There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight! At least there was in Chicago in 1871 as a fire, started in a small barn, spread across a growing city. You’ll hear some of Mrs. O’Leary’s actual testimony at the inquisition after the event. Really, was the cow to blame? Or was there someone else involved?

**THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD OF 1889**
Based on David McCullough’s outstanding treatise, this story brings to life moments of tragedy and heroism that occurred in the flooding of Johnstown, Pa.—a natural disaster further enabled by the folly of man.

**LINCOLN’S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS**
Less than 275 words, spoken in three minutes—yet Lincoln’s speech gave at the dedication of the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania cemetery on November 19, 1863 is one of the most memorable in American history.

**MAYFLOWER**
We follow the story of the Pilgrims from their decision to come to America through the next 56 years. It isn’t always the pretty picture that’s painted of the first Thanksgiving. There is courage, community and war … and slavery.

**A HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY**
This program discusses the history of Memorial Day, explores memorials at the City of Lubbock Cemetery and the Lubbock Area Veterans War Memorial, and pays tribute to those who died fighting for the United States. (Available on video)

**OKLAHOMA! A HISTORY OF THE STATE & THE MUSICAL**
Broadway meets southwestern history! Jess will bring you songs from the musical *Oklahoma!* plus some history of the state and the background story of the musical. It’s a nostalgic trip back to the early 1900s and what a ride! Ok!

**THE 1906 SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE**
The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco was one of the most tragic events in American history. This lecture gives an overview of earthquakes—what causes them, how they are measured, the San Andreas fault, predictability, etc. Then you will hear stories of what happened in San Francisco and the three days of fire that further devastated the city.

**SANTA ANNA MEETS SAM HOUSTON**
One was known as the Eagle, the other the Raven. Their lives paralleled until they met in that great battle for independence. This is the story of their lives before, during and after and the parallels between them.

**HOW THE SOUTH WON THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION**
You may remember the battles of Lexington and Concord and the winter in Valley Forge, but it was actually in the southern states that the revolution ended. Learn of the battles and strategies of Nathaniel Green that led to the British surrender at Yorktown.

**THE TRAIL OF TEARS**
(A requested topic by Carillon Residents) In one of the darkest moments of American history, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 relocated over 16,000 people representing five native American tribes. This is the story of that 900 mile march in which up to 25% of the relocated perished.

**WOMEN OF COLOR & THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE**
This program explores women of color (black, red, yellow, brown) who led the way with their white cohorts for the right for women to vote.

OTHER AMERICAN HISTORY LECTURES:

1776

Cahokia Mounds - America’s First City

May 4th Voice - Kent State 1970

Memphis - Civilization to Civil War to Civil Rights

Reconstructing the South

ANIMALS

**THE GERMAN SHEPHERD**
Remember Rin Tin Tin? We’ll tell his story as well as look at the history, character, and service of this unique dog. This one’s for dog lovers!

This one is for the “cat people,” but maybe the dog lovers will like it as well. We’ll cover how the Siamese cat developed, all the unique features in this breed, and meet some of the famous Siamese cats owned by prominent people.

OTHER ANIMAL LECTURES:

All Things Chihuahua

Animals of India

ART

**ART DECO**
A story for those interested in art and architecture. We explore the beginnings of art deco, its influence by other styles, its waning years and revival, and examples architecture (including Lubbock buildings), furniture, cookware, jewelry, and art of all kinds.

Easter Island is one of the remotest places in the world and the moai that stand on this island have fascinated the civilized world since discovery in the 19th Century. Learn the story behind the moai statues and theories about the history of the island.

**PAUL GAUGUIN**
Gauguin was part of the changing artworld of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Painter, sculptor, print-maker, ceramist, writer, influenced by Picasso and Matisse—his life was as interesting as his art, especially in association with Van Gogh and his years in the South Pacific. (Available of video)

**CLAUDE MONET AND IMPRESSIONISM**
Although the movement lasted for only a short time, Claude Monet and the Impressionists changed the world of art from realism, opening up the world to the acceptance of modern art. This presentation will share many of his over 1,500 paintings.

**VINCENT VAN GOGH**
This presentation examines Vincent’s tragic life, his development as an artist, his relationships, and the influence he continues to have an artists today. We’ll also view a number of his masterpieces, including “Starry Night”, the world’s second-most famous painting.

AVIATION/SPACE

**HISTORY OF HOT AIR BALLOONING**
Benjamin Franklin observed the first free flight in a hot air balloon, but their origin goes back to the second century in China. Besides the history, you’ll hear how hot air balloons work, their make-up and see some unique examples.

OTHER AVIATION/SPACE LECTURES:

The Astronauts

Benefits of Space Exploration

Charles Lindbergh & The Spirit of St Louis

Howard Hughes & The Spruce Goose

Sputnik, Telstar & Other Space Debris

BIOGRAPHY

**ADAMS - AN AMERICAN DYNASTY**
No family has held the reins on American politics more than the Adams’ family. Two Presidents, a Vice-Presidential Candidate, and one of America’s most respected historians. Their influence prevailed from the 1770s to Henry Adams death in 1918.

**THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN**
Molly Tobin Brown became legendary after her heroic efforts on *The Titanic*. This lecture brings the real story behind this Colorado social and political reformer who lived an “unsinkable” life and wasn’t afraid to say, “I ain’t down yet!”

**THE DIVA, THE TYCOON & THE FIRST LADY**
Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis & Jackie Kennedy—two beautiful and talented women and one rich and powerful man. This lecture explores each of their individual stories, as well as the love relationships that kept the world focused on them.

**LEONARDO DA VINCI - RENAISSANCE MAN**
Inventor, painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, musician, writer, historian, etc., Leonardo da Vinci is the penultimate definition of a Renaissance Man. His life and works are truly amazing. You hear the stories behind his *Mona Lisa,* *The Last Supper*, and more!

**EVITA**
Eva Peron has been called the Cinderella of the Tango and the Sleeping Beauty of Latin America. Her rise from peasant girl to popular entertainer to political power alongside her husband Juan has become mythical. (Available on video)

**HENRY FORD - THE MAN WHO CHANGED AMERICA**
Henry Ford didn’t invent the automobile, but he made it possible for it to be owned by millions of Americans. Ford said, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy,” and through his amazing life, he changed the way America traveled, worked, and dreamed.

**HAWAIIAN ROYALTY - KAMEHAMEHA I & LILIUOKALANI**
The enchantment of the Hawaiian Islands is enhanced in this presentation about the first king of the united islands, known as Napoleon of the West, and the last royalty before Hawaii became a territory of the United States.

**HERBERT HOOVER AND THE HOOVER DAM**
Despite the Great Depression destroying his presidency, Herbert Hoover has recovered historically and has left us a legacy that we can learn from. And part of that legacy is the great Hoover Dam--one of the marvels of our times.

**WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST & HIS CASTLE**
Hearst owned a communications empire and was one of the most influential men in America. His appreciation of art and ability to acquire it has perhaps been unequalled, and his California “castle” is still a major tourist stop.

**IMELDA MARCOS - IRON BUTTERFLY**
You’ve heard about the first lady of the Philippines and her shoe collection. But her story includes many more strange things, like her feud with The Beatles, AND especially the wildest shopping trip in history.

**EMPEROR NORTON I AND OTHER SAN FRANCISCO ECCENTRICS**
The Gold Rush brought some crazy people, most noteworthy being America’s first and only emperor. We’ll look at 14 other wacky characters from San Francisco.

**THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE RIVER OF DOUBT**
A tribute to a great president on a great adventure! This story is based on Candice Millard’s book by the same name. Come journey down the Amazon River amid danger and the TR’s near loss of life.

**EMPRESS WU - FIRST LADY OF CHINA**
China was ruled for about 4,000 years by various dynasties, and in the late 7th Century its first woman ruler came to power, ruling with compassion, corruption, and viciousness. Her story as one of history’s most powerful women is worth hearing.

OTHER BIOGRAPHY LECTURES:

Albert Einstein

From Anna & the King to Pencils of Promise

Great Soul - Mahatma Gandhi

Huey P. Long: The Kingfish

I Like Ike

Pancho Villa & The Storm that Swept Mexico

CHRISTMAS

**THE MAGICAL MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS**
Hear stories of some of our greatest Christmas songs and carols and sing-a-long with Jess as we enjoy the music of the season. Includes “Silent Night”, “White Christmas”, “The Christmas Song”, “Jingle Bells”, “Winter Wonderland”, and more.

**THE NUTCRACKER**
It’s the story behind the beautiful ballet by Tchaikovsky that is an annual sensation in Lubbock and throughout the world. You’ll hear the original story it was based on and we also take a a fun look at nuts and nutcrackers throughout history.

**ROCKEFELLER CENTER AT CHRISTMAS**
Enjoy the stories that make Christmas magical in New York. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the history of Rockefeller Center and all its decorations. We’ll take a glimpse at the annual Christmas extravaganza at Radio City Music Hall and find out all about the big Christmas tree whose lighting starts the holiday season in New York City.

**THE SANTA CLAUS MAN**
Based on the true story of the 1913 founding of the Santa Claus Association, which for 15 years made the myth of Santa Claus a reality for poor children in New York City, until it was exposed as a fraud. (Available of video)

ENTERTAINMENT

**THE DESI ARNAZ STORY**
Lucy got all the publicity and most of the laughs, but Desi’s story is well worth hearing. From his childhood in Cuba, to his fame as a bongo player and actor in the U.S., to his brilliance as a studio director and subject of FBI investigations, you’ll enjoy every minute. (Available on video)

**PEANUTS AND THE MORE SO PHILOSOPHY**
Who doesn’t like good old Charlie Brown? This story not only gives a history of the cartoon strip but shows us how Charles Schultz uses the characters to tells us about life. Positive teachings on aging and grief.

**ROAD TO RIO - THE ROAD MOVIES OF CROSBY, HOPE & LAMOUR**
Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour had great chemistry working together through seven road movies. These were filled with slap stick humor, crazy ad libs, wonderful music, a little romance—and not much of a plot. But they were pure entertainment!

OTHER ENTERTAINMENT LECTURES:

Casablanca - The Movie

Disney Comes to Florida

From Hungary to Hollywood

EUROPEAN HISTORY & CULTURE

Celtic Culture & Music

Ferdinand & Isabella

Gladiators

Otzi the Iceman - World’s Oldest Mummy

The World of the Vikings

EXPLORATION

**THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION**
Travel from St. Louis, up the Missouri River and across the mountains and the plains as Lewis and Clark lead an exploration of the upper Louisiana Territory, recently purchased from France.

**DR. LIVINGSTONE, I PRESUME**
It’s the fabled, almost mythical story of the *New York Herald’s* search for Dr. David Livingstone by journalist, explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley. Includes a great video of Victoria Falls. (Available on video)

**MARCO POLO - THE JOURNEY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD**
In 1271 AD, 17-year-old Marco Polo left Venice on a journey to the lands of Kublai Khan. And the eastern world and the western world met each other. This lecture includes photos of paintings of “The World of Genghis and Kublai Khan” by the late Lubbock artist Conny Martin.

OTHER EXPLORATION LECTURES:

Champlain’s Dream - The French Colonization of America

Marco Polo - The Journey That Changed the World

Montezuma Meets Cortez

The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration

food

**A HISTORY OF CEREAL**
From how it all began to Quaker, Kellogg, Post and General Mills, to the hidden prizes to cartoon mascots—it’s all fun as we explore the story of this nutritious and healthy breakfast food. You’ll also glimpse some of the history of Post, Texas, built by C.W. Post as the perfect town.

**A HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE**
A fun, fascinating story for Valentine's Day or just any old time you have a sweet tooth. This presentation starts with the Aztecs and the Mayans and brings us through the growth of the industry in Europe and America and the challenges facing the industry today.

OTHER FOOD LECTURES:

Souls, Soul Mates & Soul Food

JEWELRY

**THE PEARL**
What is it? How is it made? Where do we get it? Different types and colors and sizes. Famous pearls in history. All of these topics are woven around John Steinbeck’s masterpiece “The Pearl”. Fashion, beauty, history and literature all come together.

OTHER JEWELRY LECTURES:

Curse of the Kohinoor & Other Diamond Tales

LITERATURE, POETRY & FOLK TALES

**THE HESSIANS & "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW"**
Hessians were hired mercenaries that brought fear to Americans in our War for Independence. That fear is interwoven in Washington Irving’s wonderful story of Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow.

THE LIFE & WORK OF RUDYARD KIPLING
The Jungle Book, Captains Courageous, Gunga Din, If … the novels, short stories and poetry of Rudyard Kipling capture the imagination. The life of this Anglo-Indian Nobel Prize winner is no less fascinating.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S *THE MERCHANT OF VENICE*
Brush up your Shakespeare with one of his most quoted works. You'll get some background on Shakespeare life, the Venice of Shakespeare’s day, and a history of the play’s performance. And you’ll enjoy the readings from the play.

LITERATURE

**F SCOTT FITZGERALD - TALES OF THE JAZZ AGE**
F Scott Fitzgerald named the 1920s “The Jazz Age” and his writings personified life during those times. This story covers the life of F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and shares some of his most famous short stories, taken from his book *Tales of the Jazz Age*.

**THE DRAGON OF KRAKOW AND OTHER POLISH TALES**
Folk tales and myths have been described as the cornerstone on which culture is built. They help explain the world and man’s experience. This lecture tells eight folk tales and myths from the Poland that are still part of the Polish culture today.

OTHER LITERATURE, POETRY & FOLK TALE LECTURES":

Ernest Hemingway - “The Old Man & the Sea”

“Moby Dick” & the Story of Whaling

Tales from the Australian Bush

Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables”

MUSIC

**THE STORY BEHIND AMERICAN BANDSTAND**
Now here’s a real trip down memory lane as we remember the Dick Clark and those that came before him, the guest stars, the teenagers regulars, the dances, the changing fashion, and the story behind how the show got it start and how it came to an end.

**BEETHOVEN AND BONAPARTE**
Beethoven greatly admired Napoleon and held some of the political views—that is, until Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor. Get the background story on Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony and enjoy some of this great music.

**HARYY BELAFONTE AND THE CALYPSO BEAT**
Belafonte best represented the sounds of calypso in the United States, but its origins go much further back to Trinidad/Tobago and to Africa before that. Here’s history, biography and music all rolled into one story.

**CROONERS & CROONING**
You may have thought that “crooning” started with Bing Crosby, but it went much further back than that—all the way to the invention of the microphone. In this program, we’ll look at the definition of crooning, follows its history and enjoy some of the most famous crooners.

**JOHN DENVER - AMERICAN TROUBADOUR**
The songs of John Denver raise us to a higher consciousness in our relations with others and with the environment. This story covers his life. music and legacy of Denver. You will thrill again to songs like “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “Take Me Home Country Roads.”

Gilbert & Sullivan’s whimsical “light operas” set the stage for the modern Broadway musical. They set the standard for a new professionalism in the theater. This presentation brings to life their lives and includes some of the better known songs from their shows.

GERSHWIN'S *RHAPSODY IN BLUE*
*Rhapsody in Blue* is considered one of the most recognizable classical pieces. George Gershwin wrote it so quickly that all the notes were not on the page the first time presented. A story of a master musician and his masterpiece.

**GETTING A HANDEL ON MESSIAH**
The story behind this glorious tome of music enjoyed by so many every Christmas season. We’ll explore the lfe of Handel , the development of *Messiah*, and it’s history. And we will hear some from Handel’s masterpiece.

**THE ROCKABILLY LEGENDS**
Remember when Elvis came to Lubbock? Have a connection with Buddy Holly? Some of the stories Jess has found may spark your memories of Lubbock, Texas in the 1950s. You’ll also hear about Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison.

**THE SINGING COWBOYS**
They were our heroes growing up in a much simpler age—when the good guys always won, and you knew who the good guys were by the color of their Stetson hats! Relax and relive the memories of Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and more. Ride ‘em cowboy!

**SOUNDS OF MUSIC - THE REAL VON TRAPPS**
The musical story, *The Sound of Music,* creates for us a legend of this wonderful Austrian family. But who were the real Von Trapps and what happened to all of those talented children? Hear the real stories behind the epic movie and enjoy the music again.

**STRADIVARIUS - THE VIOLIN THAT SINGS**
A history of the most-famous brand of violins of all time! The program includes a general history on violins and how they are made. You’ll hear stories about the existing Stradivarius violins, their worth, and what gives them that special sound. (Available on video)

**THE BAND THAT PLAYED ON THE TITANIC**
Meet the eight courageous band members who sailed with *The Titanic*—their backgrounds, the music they played, where they were when the boat began to sink, and the tributes paid to them afterwards. Was the final song really *Nearer My God to Thee*?

**WE ARE THE WORLD**
How 45 world-renowned musicians, led by Harry Belafonte, came together in 1985 to record one special song that eventually provided over 63 million dollars in aid to feed the hungry in Africa and elsewhere throughout the world. “We are the world, we are the children…”

OTHER MUSIC LECTURES:

Amazing Stories of Amazing Hymns

Chasing the Blues Away

Heavenly Songs, Heavenly Verses, Heavenly Stories

It’s an Irish Lullaby

Moon River - A Tribute to Andy Williams

The Story of Doo Wop

This Voice in My Heart: Gilbert Tuhabonye & the Drums of Burundi

THE OLD WEST

**JUDGE ROY BEAN - LAW WEST OF THE PECOS**
Roy Bean may have been a dirty rotten scoundrel, but no one can deny that he was instrumental in cleaning up lawlessness west of the Pecos river, near Big Bend Country, in the late 1800s. His unorthodox methods made him a legend in his time.

**BUFFALO BILL CODY AND THE WILD WEST SHOWS**
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Wild West shows emerged as a mesmerizing spectacle that captivated audiences across the world. Much of what we think of as the Old West was molded through these shows. They were a blend of theatrical performances, daring stunts, and a celebration of the legendary figures of the American West. So saddle up and let’s ride into a glimpse of American entertainment at the turn of the 20th Century.!

**DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA**
It was a dusty mining town on the outskirts of civilization that brought together miners, cowboys, lawmen, saloons, gambling, brothels, etc., creating an environment that was always colorful and occasionally fatal. (Available on video)

**GERONIMO!**
The dauntless chieftain who emerged from the rocky wastes of Arizona and became the most feared raider of the old untamed West! He lived a land of harshness and on the run and then many years of imprisonment at the hands of the U.S. military and as a celebrity until death in 1909.

**THE PONY EXPRESS**
You’ll hear about the need for the service, its founding, the first ride and riders, the record rides, the equipment and horses, the rider’s oath, the station masters, and some of the famous riders. It’s a brief but specatular “flash” of Old West history!

OTHER OLD WEST LECTURES:

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Wyatt Earp - Gunfight at the OK Corral

RELIGION

Exodus: The Birth of a Nation

Hassan II Mosque: Muslims in Morocco

I Saw the Light

Pope John Paul II

Statues of Christ Around the World

The Dalai Lama & Tibetan Buddhism

science, health & technology

**THE SPANISH FLU OF 1918**
Called by H. G. Wells “the beginning of the rout of civilization”, the Spanish Flu infected up to 500 million people. Jess shares some of the stories behind the origin, symptoms, treatments, effects of the virus, and comparisons with Covid-19. (Available on video)

OTHER SCIENCE, HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY LECTURES:

A History of Robotics

SPORTS

**THE CHRISTMAS BASEBALL GAME OF 1862**
There is no question that the Civil War had a huge impact on the game and its place in becoming America’s National Pastime. This lecture discusses that 1862 game on Hilton Head Island, plus some of the origins of baseball and its development prior to, during, and after the Civil War.

Pele, Brazil & World Cup Soccer

Sports in Japan

TRAVEL

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
One of the world’s greatest phenomena. Some say you can even see it from outer space. We explore the history of the Great Wall and the challenges facing its preservation today. It’s a travelogue you won’t want to miss!

**MACHU PICCHU, PERU**
Welcome to the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru. Prepare yourself as you are about to embark on a virtual tour exploring one of the most intriguing destinations on the planet. You won’t want to miss the spectacular views and scenery.

**A HISTORY OF TEXAS RAILROADS**
Tracing the railroads across Texas from 1836 to the present, we examine the construction of the railroads, their financing, the role of the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas train robberies, the Harvey Houses, and other related topics. There’s also a look at the coming of the railroads to the South Plains.

**HISTORY OF WASHINGTON**
A salute to our nation’s capitol! The story begins with the city’s founding and the carefully laid plans by L’Enfant and continues through the War of 1812, the Civil War, and on into the modern era, exploring some of Washington’s most famous landmarks. (Available on Video)

OTHER TRAVEL LECTURES:

A History of Las Vegas

Alaska Travelogue

Jamaica Travelogue

South Africa Travelogue

St. Augustine, Florida: America’s Oldest City & It’s Historic Lighthouse

The Blue Danube

WORLD AT WAR

**HOLLYWOOD GOES TO WAR**
In all aspects, Hollywood was all in for the war efforts in World War II. In this lecture, we explore the movies themselves, famous actors in uniform, involvement in the sale of war bonds, the USO tours, and even the pinups! A Greatest Generation tribute!

**IRA HAYES AND THE IWO JIMA FLAG**
The raising of the American flag on Mt. Surabachi was an inspiration both to American soldiers and to folks back home. It’s a riveting story about the flag raisers, including one who didn’t’ survive the publicity.

**SWING KIDS IN NAZI GERMANY**
Their music banned by the Nazis, Swing Kids rebelled against the Hitler Youth and the Nazi philosophy. Hear about the White Rose, the Edelweiss Pirates, and other groups that stood up for freedom and liberty in prewar Germany.

OTHER WORLD AT WAR LECTURES:

Blackbeard & the Carolina Pirates

First Joint Action: The Doolittle Raid

Hirohito: Emperor of Japan

How the United Nations Works

Libertalia: The Pirates of Madagascar

Sinking of the Maine

The ANZAC Spirit

The Philippine-American War

LECTURES AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE

Aging in America - Deadwood, South Dakota: Legends of the West - Dr. Livingstone, I Presume - The Electoral College - Evita: First Lady of Argentina - History of Washington, D.C. - I Love Lucy: The Desi Arnaz Story - Louis Armstrong & New Orleans Jazz - Memorial Day - Paul Gauguin - The Santa Claus Man - The Spanish Flu of 1918 - Stradivarius: The Violin That Sings - That You May Know: Studies in the Letters of John