This year, our resident historian Dr. John Foster is revisiting the Cold War during a series of lectures.

In this first talk, he explains how the conflict that would define the latter half of the 20th century began even before World War II ended. He also discusses how a series of regime changes and (of all things) a currency change led the USSR to place a blockade around Berlin.

He also discusses how a series of regime changes and (of all things) a currency change led the USSR to place a blockade around Berlin. Finally, he describes the heroism of British and American pilots who kept West Berlin supplied during the Soviet blockade.

This special program was the first in a 4-part series from Foster about the history of the Cold War. The next talk in Foster’s series will be on Thursday, July 23. He’ll discuss the year 1956 when the Suez conflict, turbulence in Poland, and even the Montgomery bus boycotts were part of a rising pattern of conflict that engulfed East and West. The program will be broadcast via Zoom and is free to watch. You can register to view it here.

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War II, the American Revolution and US Presidents of the 20^th Century at the library.

This program will also be recorded and will be available for viewing at a future date on our website, Facebook, and YouTube page.