Lecture by William Woodward – Will the 2020s Roar like the 1920s

A pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.” Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own looming 20s?

Historian William Woodward charts the eerily familiar developments of a century ago: shattered idealism, social clashes, domestic terrorism, culture wars, disorienting technologies, and fearsome disease. How might stories from a particular moment in the past—one with remarkable parallels to the present—shed light on ways for us to move forward? As the 2020s unfold, what conversations should we have?

About the Speaker: William Woodward (he/him) is an award-winning professor of American and Pacific Northwest history at Seattle Pacific University. His teaching, research, and writing focus on iconic elements of regional and national culture, including the military and baseball. His co-authored pictorial history of the Washington National Guard was released in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Georgetown University. Woodward lives in Seattle.

Please note:

The lecture will also be presented via Zoom.  Check back for the Zoom link.

The time, date, and/or mode of presentation may change due to unforeseen limitations from state or health department directives.  Please come back prior to the event to confirm. Thank you for understanding.