SPEAKER SERIES

Exploring the Declaration of Independence at 250

While Utahns and Americans live across various geographies, cultures, and circumstances, we share a narrative and a commitment to make progress toward a “more perfect union.” By exploring shared themes of America’s world-changing propositions of liberty, freedom, cooperation, and innovation we can build bridges among people of different backgrounds and political beliefs.

Watch Previous Speakers

Masterclass Series: The Declaration

Upcoming Speakers

October 21st

Reliving the American Revolution, USA250 Anniversary Program

Film & Lecture 1: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00pm; the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Parking at the library is free and can be validated at the library front desk.

Screening of the film Sons of Liberty (Warner Bro. film short, 1939) with an introduction by film historian Dr. James V. D’Arc (retired, BYU)

Historian’s Response: “Lawyers, Guns, and Money: Haym Solomon’s Revolution,” by Dr. Chrisopher Hodson (BYU)

The life of Jewish-American financier Haym Solomon can help us understand the fraught position of religious minorities during the American Revolution as well as the complex mechanisms by which the revolt against British rule was funded. Solomon’s relationship to the Sons of Liberty also offers an entry point into the experience of popular revolution - an experience that often-involved exhilaration and liberation as well as coercion and terror.

Historian Christopher Hodson is associate professor in the Department of History at Brigham Young University. A native of Logan, Utah, he holds BA and MA degrees from Utah State University and a PhD from Northwestern University. A specialist in early American and early modern French history, he is the author of numerous scholarly articles, op-eds, and two books, The Acadian Diaspora: An Eighteenth-Century History, and, with Brett Rushforth, Beyond the Ocean: France and the Atlantic World from the Crusades to the Age of Revolutions, both published by Oxford University Press.

October 29th

Reliving the American Revolution, USA250 Anniversary Program

Film & Lecture 2: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00pm; the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Parking at the library is free and can be validated at the library front desk.

Screening of the film The Declaration of Independence (Warner Bro. film short, 1938; winner of the Academy Awards Best Short Subject in 1939) with an introduction by film historian Dr. James V. D’Arc (retired, BYU)

Historian’s Response: “What if Americans Had Not Declared Independence? Liberty and Historical Contingency on Film” by Dr. Michelle Orihel (SUU)

In the short film “The Declaration of Independence,” released in 1938, Caesar Rodney’s ride to the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia takes center stage as a pivotal event in the struggle for American Independence. Indeed, Rodney broke the tie in the Delaware delegation to the Continental Congress on the question of Independence, helping to secure a vote in the affirmative on that question in the Congress on July 2, 1776. By focusing on this event, the film demonstrates how precarious the vote on American Independence was.

It further raises questions of “What If?” — What if Rodney had not arrived in time? What if Americans had not declared their Independence from Great Britain? While my presentation will point out some historical inaccuracies in the film, I will also discuss the value of the film in highlighting broad themes of liberty and historical contingency that are essential to understanding the moment of American Independence.

Historian Michelle Orihel is an Associate Professor of History at Southern Utah University. Her research focuses on the politics and print culture of revolutionary America and the Atlantic world. Most recently, her essay on American Independence was published in the new three volume series, The Cambridge History of the American Revolution (2025).

November 4th

Reliving the American Revolution, USA250 Anniversary Program

Film & Lecture 3: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00pm; the Salt Lake City. Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Parking at the library is free and can be validated at the library front desk.

Screening of the film Bills of Rights (Warner Bro. film short, 1939) with an introduction by film historian Dr. James V. D’Arc (retired, BYU)

Historian’s Response: “The Changing Meanings of Civil Rights, 1774-2026” by Dr. Jenny Pulsipher (BYU) In this presentation Pulsipher will discuss what “civil rights” meant in the 18th century, how its meaning has evolved over time, and what meanings (the plural is intentional) civil rights have for Americans today.

Historian Jenny Hale Pulsipher is professor of history at BYU, specializing in early American and Native American history, and has a PhD from Brandeis University (1999) and has taught at BYU since the fall of 1998. Her first book, “Subjects unto the Same King”: Indians, English, and the Contest for Authority in Colonial New England, was published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2005 and was selected as a Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title in 2006. Her second book, Swindler Sachem: The American Indian who Sold His Birthright, Dropped Out of Harvard, and Conned the King of England was published by Yale University Press in 2018 and received the 2019 Norris and Carole Hundley Award from the American Historical Association, Pacific Coast Branch (AHA-PCB) for the best book in any field of history.

November 10th

Reliving the American Revolution, USA250 Anniversary Program

Film & Lecture 4: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00pm; the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Parking at the library is free and can be validated at the library front desk.

Screening of the film Man Without a Country (Warner Bro. film short, 1937; nominated for an Academy Award) with an introduction by film historian Dr. James V. D’Arc (retired, BYU)

Historian’s Response: “Who Doesn’t Love a Good Traitor?” by Dr. Eric Hinderaker (U of U)

In a series featuring great heroes and momentous events, this film stands apart. Its main character is a traitor to his country. He may seem an odd choice, but in an era of nation-building it is as important to have villains as it is to have heroes. And loyalty to country is an especially charged subject in an era of revolutionary change, when everyone’s loyalties were suspect. Let’s talk about the bad guys of the revolutionary era: they deserve some love as well. Who doesn’t love a good traitor?

Historian Eric Hinderaker is Distinguished Professor of History and department chair at the University of Utah, where he has taught early American history for 35 years. Among other books, he is co-author, with Rebecca Horn, of The Americas: A New Interpretive History, which will be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2027. He is the author of Boston’s Massacre (Harvard, 2017), The Two Hendricks: Unraveling a Mohawk Mystery (Harvard, 2010) and Elusive Empires: Constructing Colonialism in the Ohio Valley, 1673-1800 (Cambridge, 1997). He is also co-author, with Rebecca Edwards and Robert Self, of the US History survey text America’s History, 11th ed. (Bedford Freeman Worth, 2025).

November 18th

Reliving the American Revolution, USA250 Anniversary Program

Film & Lecture 5: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00pm; the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT. Parking at the library is free and can be validated at the library front desk.

Screening of the film Give Me Liberty (Warner Bro. film short, 1936) with an introduction by film historian Dr. James V. D’Arc (retired, BYU)

Historian’s Response: “Beyond 1775: The Continuing Legacy of Revolutionary Promises in American History,” by Dr. Cassandra Clark (Utah Tech University)

Released during the Great Depression, the 1936 drama short film Give Me Liberty reminded American audiences of the nation’s Revolutionary vision of freedom as a hope for all. By focusing on Patrick Henry’s journey to his iconic 1775 “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech, the film captures the powerful rhetoric behind his call for liberation. Yet Henry’s dramatic appeal did not end with America’s Revolution; it established a precedent for later generations who would invoke similar ideals to demand and redefine liberty on their terms. Whether it was abolitionists, suffragists, or Native Americans demanding recognition of their sovereignty, or ongoing calls for equality from all of America’s marginalized communities, the Revolution’s promise continually expanded beyond its original scope. This presentation examines both the film and the historical record to consider how the rhetoric and spirit of the Revolution continued to inspire Americans to demand that the nation's founding principles apply to all.

Historian Cassie Clark is an Assistant Professor of History at Utah Tech University (St. George). She teaches courses on nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American history, social movements, Utah history, and African American history. Dr. Clark is also an active public historian with experience in digital history, exhibit design, documentary writing and production, and other public-facing projects.

Previous Speakers

The following distinguished historians, influencers, and innovators were presented in partnership with Utah’s institutions of higher education and a select few were streamed via PBS Utah.

Joan Mulholland - Oct. 9, 2025

Iconic American Civil Rights Leader on Lessons in Courage and Conviction

Joan and Loki Mullholland

Oct. 9, 2025 at 11:30 AM | Gilbert Great Hall (SUU)

Her Freedom Rider mugshot has been called one of the most iconic in American history. By the time she was 23 years old, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland participated in over 50 sit-ins and demonstrations including the Freedom Rides, the Jackson Woolworth’s Sit-in, the March on Washington, the Meredith March and the Selma to Montgomery March. Her path has crossed with some of the biggest names in the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Diane Nash and Julian Bond to name a few. Joan, along with her Emmy-winning son Loki share valuable lessons from the past to inform and energize the present.

https://joantrumpauermulholland.org/about-us/

Watch →

Greg Jackson - Nov. 4, 2025

PBU Utah presents: Ken Burns' The American Revolution

Greg Jackson

Nov. 4, 2025 from 6-8 PM | Utah Cultural Celebration Center - 1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City, Utah

Be among the first to see exclusive clips from Ken Burns' The American Revolution before it airs to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country! Moderated by the professor behind the hit podcast 'History That Doesn't Suck' Dr. Greg Jackson, join us for great food, hands on activities, and a powerful look at the people and moments that shaped America.

https://www.htdspodcast.com/

View Event →

Chad Ford - Nov. 13, 2025

Dr. Eric G. Swedin - Nov. 17, 2025

Dr. Josh Klein - Dec. 10, 2025

Christmas 1941: Churchill in Washington

Dr. Josh Klein - Assistant Professor of History SUU

Dec. 10, 2025 at 7 PM | Room - Bristlecone Hall 105 (SUU)

In December 1941, the beleaguered but resilient British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, travelled to Washington to commemorate the new wartime alliance with the United States. He was welcomed graciously by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, who was well aware of risk Churchill had taken by crossing the Atlantic.

Desperate to provide their people with hope at one of the darkest moments in human history, the two leaders addressed an assembled crowd of 20,000 Americans, and millions more by radio. In an act of symbolic defiance, Roosevelt set alight the National Community Christmas Tree. This solemn moment from history's darkest Christmas powerfully illustrates America's commitment to global freedom, a value first articulated by Thomas Jefferson 165 years earlier when he proclaimed that "all men are created equal."

Watch →

Rob Bishop - Jan. 8, 2026

Founding America: The Declaration of Independence

Rob Bishop

Jan. 8, 2026 at 7 PM | USU Brigham City Auditorium (989 South Main Street, Brigham City, UT.) The lecture can also be viewed online via Zoom at aggie.link/BC_Zoom.

Rob Bishop dives into the pivotal years between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, exploring the social and political forces that shaped America’s founding documents.

View Event →

Michael Harris - Jan. 28, 2026

The Commons: A Brief History of a Powerful Idea (and how it shapes our lives)

Michael Harris

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6 PM | Central Instruction Building, Room 101 | 1800 E. University Blvd. Price, UT 84501

Question – What quality do “Steamboat Willie,” the Grand Canyon, and your local library all share? They all exist within the “commons” that seek to protect and make available our cultural property that can enhance and enrich all of our lives. From the physical commons such as National Parks or the local city park, to the “public domain” of intellectual property like the works of Shakespeare or the first Mickey Mouse cartoon, to public services like your local library, the “commons” is an idea in political and economic theory that there are things that should be held jointly and governed by “the people” as a benefit to all. This talk will explore the ideas that serve as the foundation that so many of our “best ideas” spring.

Michael W. Harris is Assistant Librarian and Head of Eastern and Statewide Services at Utah State University Eastern. With a background in archives, digital preservation, and research instruction, he holds an M.S. in Library and Information Science and a Ph.D. in Musicology. His publications span film music, media history, and librarianship, and he frequently presents on space planning, assessment, and thirdspace theory. Harris is dedicated to expanding equitable access and strengthening community-centered library services.

Dr. Vikki J. Deakin - Feb. 9, 2026

Tameron Williams - Feb. 12, 2026

Revolutionary Roots - Feb. 17, 2026

Revolutionary Roots: How the Founding Documents and Westward Expansion Shaped Utah" | Brought to you by Brigham City Museum of Art & History and America250 Utah

Robert Burch, Executive Director, Sema Hadithi Foundation
Kerri Clement, Assistant Professor, Weber State University
Darren Parry, Author and Visiting Professor, University of Utah
Jami J. Van Huss, Exhibit Curator, Utah Historical Society

Feb. 17, 2026 at 6-7:30 PM | Brigham City Community Center, upstairs from the Museum (24 N 300 W. Brigham City, UT 84302)

View Event →

Michaelann Nelson - Feb. 25, 2026

‘The Best Idea We Ever Had': Wallace Stegner and Artistic Traditions of America's National Parks

Michaelann Nelson

Feb. 25, 2026 at 6 PM | Central Instruction Building, Room 101 | 1800 E. University Blvd. Price, UT 84501

In 1955, famed author and Utahn, Wallace Stegner, wrote an impassioned plea to the American people on behalf of Dinosaur National Monument to advocate against a dam that was being proposed on the Green River that would have flooded Dinosaur National Monument. Stegner could not believe that the United States government would violate the sanctity of a national park unit. Stegner was successful in his quest and became an outspoken defender of America's national parks. This talk will focus on some key artists and writers who have played a pivotal role in using their work to help advocate on behalf of America's national parks.

Michaelann Nelson is an English professor at Utah State University Eastern whose research focuses on environmental rhetoric and literature. She has written extensively about environmental issues of the Southwest and is currently working on a book about the environmental rhetoric of Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. In addition to her research, Nelson is an award-winning teacher committed to mentoring student research, cultivating critical thinking, and meaningful community engagement. She also directs the USU Eastern Writing Center

Thomas S. Kidd - March 11, 2026

Religion and the American Founding - Keynote Address

Thomas S. Kidd

March 11, 2026 at 7 PM | BYU's Harman Continuing Education Building (HCEB) in Ballrooms A,B,C |
770 East University Parkway, Provo, UT 84602

Dive into the roots of religion and the American founding with a keynote that’ll expand your understanding and improve your citizenship.

Thomas S. Kidd is among the most celebrated scholars of religion and the founding of the United States. He serves as Research Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the John and Sharon Yeats Endowed Chair of Baptist Studies. Dr. Kidd completed a Ph.D. in history at the University of Notre Dame, where he worked with historian of religion George Marsden. He also earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees at Clemson University in South Carolina.

View Event →

Guest Speakers - March 12, 2026

America in Conflict - The Borgstrom Brothers Story

Deborah Borgstrom Long, Lyle Holmgren, & John Maclelain

March 12, 2026 at 7 PM | USU Brigham City Auditorium (989 South Main Street, Brigham City, UT.) The lecture can also be viewed online via Zoom at aggie.link/BC_Zoom.

The Borgstrom family lost four sons during WWII, an ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. This powerful lecture reflects on the human cost of war.

View Event →

Charlotte Hansen Terry - March 17, 2026

As part of Utah State University Uintah Basin’s commitment to community engagement through our land-grant mission, the USU Uintah Basin Speaker Series brings meaningful conversations and thought leadership to our region. We are proud to collaborate with America250 Utah for this special event, featuring Charlotte Hansen Terry, Assistant Professor of History at USU Uintah Basin.

March 17, 2026 at 7pm | USU Uintah Basin, Vernal Campus, Large Conference Room (B101)

Charlotte Hansen Terry is an Assistant Professor of History at Utah State University - Uintah Basin campus. Her research focuses on the varied connections between the North American West and Pacific, including the movement of people and ideas and the relationships between religions, empires, and nations in the region. Her current project traces white and Pacific Islander Mormon attempts to define and expand racial, religious, familial, and national belonging in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She is originally from Utah, and is excited to live closer to the Uintah mountains where she has hiked since childhood.

Watch →

Doug Miller - March 25, 2026

Legacy in the Balance: Utah’s Mighty 5 and the Economic Impact of the National Parks

Doug Miller

March 25, 2026 at 6pm | Central Instruction Building, Room 101 | 1800 E. University Blvd. Price, UT 84501

When the National Park System was established, its purpose was simple yet profound: to preserve America’s most treasured landscapes for future generations. Today, that vision has grown into an economic force, with national parks contributing over $55 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Nowhere is this effect more apparent than in Utah’s “Mighty 5,” which serve millions of visitors, generate billions in revenue, support thousands of workers, and sustain gateway communities across the state. This success, while meaningful, raises an important question: has the powerful economic impact of the parks begun to overshadow their original purpose of preservation? This talk will explore that balance—how the National Park System can fuel growth and opportunity while remaining true to its enduring mission of protecting America’s natural and cultural heritage.

Doug Miller is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Entrepreneurial Network and Director of the Economic Development Center at Utah State University Eastern. A lifelong advocate for rural vitality, he helps communities across southeastern Utah harness their proximity to national parks and public lands for sustainable growth. His work highlights how America’s parks are not only treasures of beauty and conservation but also powerful drivers of entrepreneurship, tourism, and local prosperity.

Donny Constantineau - April 9, 2026

Civil Rights in America

Donny Constantineau

April 9, 2026 at 7 PM | USU Brigham City Auditorium (989 South Main Street, Brigham City, UT.) The lecture can also be viewed online via Zoom at aggie.link/BC_Zoom.

Few movements define America like the fight for civil rights. This lecture explores how grassroots voices have shaped policy and pushed the nation toward greater equity and justice.

View Event →