History at the Memorial: “Cold War Virginia” with Gary Powers Jr. and Chris Sturdevant
Bring your lunch and join us for the next speakers in our lecture series “History at the Memorial.”
On Wednesday, August 21 at 12:00 p.m., Cold War Historians Gary Powers, Jr. and Chris Sturdevant will discuss their new book Cold War Virginia which examines the critical role the Commonwealth played in United States Cold War involvement.
In this time of global uncertainty, the location of the Pentagon, CIA and other federal agencies established Northern Virginia as an epicenter of decision-making. As Virginia military bases readied for potential attacks by the Soviet Union, local research facilities played a paramount role in the Space Race. In 1960, the Soviet Union’s shoot-down of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, a Virginia native, created a superpower crisis of epic proportions. Hear these and other tales of espionage, heroism and betrayal that have roots in Virginia.
Books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation.
This event is FREE and there is no registration necessary. Parking in the Memorial’s garage is free and ADA accessible.