Explore Momentous Events in US History At Libraries
The Rock Island and Colona Public Libraries will each explore major events in US history this November with two separate presentations by speaker Jim Gibbons.
First, the Colona Public Library observes the 53rd anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s untimely death with a program on Tuesday, Nov. 22. In the 6:30 pm program on “The Kennedy Assassination,” Gibbons considers the events of that fateful day in Dallas. As Gibbon states on his website, “If you were alive at that time you may remember where you were and what you were doing that fateful day in Dallas. If not, you will learn how everything came to a complete halt with just four words “The President is dead.” The free program is at the Colona Public Library, 911 1st Street, Colona. For more information, contact the library at (309) 792-0548 or visit www.colonalibrary.com.
The Rock Island Public Library then considers the impact of another historical anniversary, the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Gibbons presents on “Pearl Harbor: A Day That Will Live In Infamy,” at 2:00 pm on Monday, Nov. 28 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. With the attack by Japanese Naval and Air Forces, the United States was thrust from isolationism into World War II. Gibbons will show the beginnings of the storms of war that led to the predawn attack, and discuss how the government and citizens were, in Gibbons’ words, “wooed to vulnerability.” The Rock Island Library event is also free. For more information, contact the Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ or visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org.
Gibbons, a Marengo resident and historian, has made a name for himself teaching the importance of history and heeding its warnings. Using his slogan, “Life is no mystery when you know your history,” Gibbons has a passion for retelling historical stories of presidential as well as United States history, with a strong emphasis on how history continually repeats. His goal is to not only teach the important parts of history, but to point out that if history’s warnings are heeded, mankind stands to have a brighter future. He presents on such varied topics as the Mississippi River. World War I and II history, US presidents, and the Illinois Cherry Mine disaster. [www.jimgibbonshistorian.com]