Explores the role that Jewish American Soldiers played in liberating Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Beginning in the spring of 1945, the U.S. Army began uncovering these camps, revealing the horrific realities of the Holocaust. These Soldiers, many of whom were fluent in Yiddish, were not only witnesses to the atrocities but also the first to offer solace and a sense of community to the survivors. The presentation will highlight their unique position as both liberators and members of the Jewish community, emphasizing their ability to communicate with survivors and provide immediate support and understanding amidst the chaos and devastation.
Through personal accounts, historical context, and visual documentation, “Restoring Humanity” sheds light on the harrowing experiences of the Holocaust, the liberation process, and the critical role of Jewish American Soldiers in restoring humanity to those who had suffered unimaginable horrors. It underscores the importance of remembrance and the enduring impact of these liberators in shaping the post-war understanding of the Holocaust.
Michael Rugel is the Director of Programs and Content at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. In this role, he develops and oversees educational and public programs aimed at preserving and sharing the history of Jews in the American military. He received a Bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary and a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from George Washington University.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, January 22 In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on January 22 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on January 22 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
African Americans have served their country since the Revolutionary War, many serving in segregated units and not always given the respect and honor due to them. Although African Americans fought with distinction in World War II, they returned home to a segregated America. In 1948, President Harry Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which called for equal opportunity for all members of the Armed Forces. The segregated Army became a thing of the past and the segregation of American society began to crumble.
In this We the People talk, explore how African American Soldiers’ journey for equal rights expanded what it means to be an American.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Thursday, January 30. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on January 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on January 30 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of African Americans have fought for the protection of the United States, but it would not be until the Civil War that they would serve in an official capacity. Due to their exemplary service, a Congressional Act passed on July 28, 1866, created six new regiments comprised of all Black enlisted men with predominately white officers. Later condensed to four regiments, they would come to be known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.”
These Soldiers played a decisive role in the U.S. Army on the western frontier. The courage and determination of the Soldiers in spite of segregation at home would pave the way towards achieving integration and full civil rights in the future.
In this History Talk, examine the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices of Buffalo Soldiers immediately following the Civil War in the American west. This Talk is supported by the U.S. Army Women’s Museum and the Frontier Army Museum.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on February 5 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on February 12 at 12 p.m. ET.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, February 19. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on February 19 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on February 19 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
The 6888th Central Postal Battalion was the first and only all-Black unit sent overseas during World War II. They faced the daunting task of sorting and delivering mail to the roughly 7 million service members stationed in the European Theater. Learn how their actions, along with thousands of other Black WACs, contributed to the Allied victory.
In this We the People talk, examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Thursday, February 27. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on February 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on February 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
Women have served the U.S. Army since its founding. Women’s service was often confined to unofficial capacities as volunteer nurses, seamstresses, and cooks for troops in camp. While the U.S. Army established contracts with female nurses during the Civil War those were annulled at the war’s conclusion.
In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain. In a short time, the U.S. Army grew from 28,000 Soldiers to over 300,000 men. The influx of Soldiers strained the Army’s resources and led to crowded camps that lacked supplies and resources. Diseases spread through camps and led to the recruitment of thousands of trained female contract nurses to provide medical support. Nurses dressed wounds, carried out sanitation procedures, and prepared meals. The selfless service of Spanish American War nurses forced the U.S. Army to acknowledge the women’s contributions. Three years later, the Nurses Corps was established as a permanent part of the U.S. Army.
In this History Talk, explore the contributions of U.S. Army Nurses during the Spanish-American War. Learn how their commitment, challenges, and sacrifices created new professional opportunities for women both in the Army and civilian medical facilities.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on March 5 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on March 12 at 12 p.m. ET.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, March 19. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on March 19 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on March 19 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
During World War I, over 200 women served the American Expeditionary Forces as telephone operators connecting calls between the front line and higher headquarters. Nicknamed the “Hello Girls,” the women worked tirelessly, under at times combat conditions, as the first women to actively support combat operations.
In this We the People talk, explore the commitment, sacrifices, and challenges of the Hello Girls and how their service paved the way for women’s right to vote.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Thursday, March 27. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on March 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on March 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
Over 200,000 Americans served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. These diverse individuals eventually came together to form a functioning and professional Army. Join us to explore how American patriots worked together to create the Continental Army by examining the uniforms, equipment, and weapons of Revolutionary War Soldiers.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on April 2 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on April 9 at 12 p.m. ET.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, April 16. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on April 16 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on April 16 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
On Dec. 27, 1917, the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment docked at Brest, France. The all-Black regiment, comprised of men from Harlem, New York and surrounding cities, were assigned to the Service of Supplies – unloading ships and building roads and railroads. Three months later, the regiment was transferred to the French Army and earned a new nickname: “Hellfighters.” In the 191 days the men spent on the front lines no ground was lost and no man was captured. Learn how their actions along with the thousands of other Black World War I veterans contributed to the Allied victory.
In this We the People talk, examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Thursday, April 24. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on April 24 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on April 24 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have helped develop and defend the United States, often in the face of tremendous racial and cultural prejudice. Despite these difficulties, AAPI men and women struggled, sacrificed, and persevered to build a better life for their children and Americans.
During World War II, over 250,000 Filipino Soldiers fought under the American flag to protect and defend the United States. Filipinos fought alongside and as an integral part of the U.S. Armed Forces in a dual mission to protect and defend the Philippines while also liberating and defending U.S. territories. These Soldiers served in different capacities – the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Philippine Scouts, the guerrilla movement, and the Regular U.S. Army – all with a common mission. Together their service was instrumental in the liberation of the Philippines and the eventual surrender of the Japanese Army in 1945.
In this History Talk, explore the bravery, valor, and dedication of Filipino Veterans of World War II. Understand how their commitment and sacrifice demonstrated a commitment to the Army’s values of honor and duty.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on May 7 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on May 14 at 12 p.m. ET.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Wednesday, May 21. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on May 21 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on May 21 at 12 p.m. ET.
Generations of Americans have used military service to expand notions of citizenship and advance civil rights. As a result, military service has become a tool to broaden the concept of “the people” and what it means to be an American.
Learn more about the courageous men and women of Japanese ancestry from Hawaii and the mainland United States who served the in U.S. Army during World War II, while some of their families were placed in War Relocation Authority Confinement Sites.
Second-generation Japanese Americans, known as Nisei, demanded the right to join the armed forces during World War II. On February 9, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the relocation of Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. 122,000 men, women, and children were sent to incarceration camps throughout the United States. Further, the government classified males of Japanese ancestry as enemy aliens. This classification disqualified them from military service. The Army later loosened this restriction in June 1942. Despite the odds, thousands of Nisei Soldiers bravely served in World War II.
In this We the People talk, examine Executive Order 9906, its impact on Japanese Americans living on the West Coast, and how military service was used as a strategy to advance civil rights.
This program is offered virtually and in-person on Thursday, May 29. In-person seats are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Register for the VIRTUAL History Talk on May 29 at 12 p.m. ET.
Register for the IN-PERSON History Talk on May 29 at 12 p.m. ET.
Explore Past History Talks