Hear wartime songs at Des Plaines history talk

Enjoy history as music as guitarist and singer Lee Murdock delivers the Coffee Talk, "'The Star-Spangled Banner' and the Struggle that Forged Two Nations," from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St.

Murdock will outline the many reasons President James Madison led the nation into war against Great Britain in 1812. In addition, he will talk about how the War of 1812, contributed significantly toward defining the identities of the United States and Canada.

"The many songs composed during the war and its aftermath - including our own national anthem - express a broad range of Native American, white American, British and Canadian perspectives," Murdock's website states. "They demonstrate that perceptions of war and its repercussions can vary widely, depending on one's experiences of them."

Murdock will perform several of these songs and provide commentary based on his extensive research. A $3 donation is suggested.

After the Coffee Talk, guests are welcome to view the exhibit, "World War II: Des Plaines and the War against Fascism," which includes several military uniforms worn by Des Plaines residents, various artifacts, and information about home life and industry in the 1940s. The History Center has started a guest book and invites the public to comment about the exhibit and describe what life was like during the war years.

For information, call the History Center at (847) 391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistory.org. When online, visitors are invited to "like" the Des Plaines History Center on Facebook, follow on Twitter and become a member to receive updates, bulletins and newsletters.

The History Center is supported by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Park District, its members, and other local business and community contributors.

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