America’s role in world topic of Historical Perspectives Lecture Series
GREEN BAY — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s annual Historical Perspectives Lecture Series kicks off at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, with the first of two discussions scheduled for this fall semester.
Ted Widmer, former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, will speak on “The Question of America’s Mission,” in Rose Hall Room 250, 2420 Nicolet Drive.
The presentation relates to how Americans often believe the United States holds a special place in the world. It looks to tell the story of how Americans understand their role and place in history and the world.
The presentation focuses on Widmer’s new book, “Ark of the Liberties,” published this year.
President Clinton describes the book: “In this exploration of the United States’ promotion of liberty across the globe, Ted Widmer offers an examination of our history that should influence the way we think about our place in the 21st century world. At a time when we need to restore America’s standing in so many places, ‘Ark of the Liberties’ shows us how we can do it if we remain true to our historic ideals.” (Source: Amazon.com)
Widmer is currently director of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University in Providence. He is also a Senior Research Fellow in the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation in Washington D.C.
Rick Perlstein leads the second lecture, “Nixonland: A Guided Tour,” on Monday, Nov. 17. His discussion is at 2:15 p.m. in the University Union Phoenix Room B.
Perlstein is Senior Fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future and the author of the New York Times bestseller “Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America,” published in 2008.
The Historical Perspectives Lecture Series was first organized in 1985. It is the foremost activity for UW-Green Bay’s Center for History and Social Change.
This annual series of talks by a wide variety of historians and social scientists is made possible with funds from the University, the Social Change and Development Student Organization, the UW-Green Bay University League, and the UW-Green Bay Founders Association.
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