During the American Revolutionary War, the British military made big promises to enslaved Americans. In return for taking up arms against the patriots, enslaved people won pledges from British commanders that they would free them when Britain won the war. So, what happened when Britain instead lost? This talk explores these Black fugitives’ extraordinary odyssey through what was left of Britain’s global empire after 1783 to examine the ways they tried to pursue happiness and forge an African American diaspora.

The presentation will focus on the achievements of the Biden government in creating and developing what are called "positions of strength" in competition with China in the Indo-Pacific region and then examine various shortcomings seen in the administration's approaches. It will then similarly assess presidential candidate Trump's approaches to China and the Indo-Pacific region, allowing for an overall assessment of the pros and cons of each candidate in this important policy area.

The Vikings have long conjured images of ruthless raiders. However, they were also skilled seamen, fearless explorers, warrior-conquerors, nation builders, and astute merchants. This lecture will set the stage for the Viking Age from CE 790 to 1100, and will discuss the times when the Viking Dragon Ships spread terror and devastation across the seas and rivers of Europe. We will then explore how the Vikings built their distinctive ships to sail in the open ocean waters and how they founded numerous nations that exist today.

(At the instructor's request, the date of this class has been changed from Oct.4 to Oct. 18, at the same time.)  TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful recorded talks.  Perspective is everything, especially when it comes to examining your beliefs. Are you a soldier, prone to defending your viewpoint at all costs -- or a scout, spurred by curiosity? Julia Galef examines the motivations behind these two mindsets and how they shape the way we interpret information, interweaved with a compelling history lesson from 19th-century France. We will watch this TED talk together and then engage in dialogue about it. Refreshments will be served!   Sign up for one, two, or all three meeting dates (see also class #536 and 586). Limit: 20

Join John Natale, physical therapist at Suburban Hospital, in a lecture regarding what contributes to our sense of balance, how to improve our balance, and how to prevent falls both at home and in the community.

This guided tour will bring attendees into the Courtroom for a discussion of how the Court functions, as well as the history of the Supreme Court building and its architecture. Attendees will also visit some of the formal conference rooms, the Great Hall, and the Library. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and will meet at the Court.  Limit: 10 The Supreme Court is located on 1st Street NE between Constitution and Independence Avenues. Please enter the building via the Visitor Entrance, located to either side of the main steps on the front plaza, and proceed through security screening. Please allow time as there may be a line.  A guide from the Curator’s Office will be posted at the John Marshall statue—the large bronze statue located at the end of the carpet on the ground floor. Please see this link for a list of prohibited items. The guide will provide more explicit instruction during the tour. Photos taken by guests elsewhere in the building are approved for personal memento use only and not for publication, and they may not be used in any manner that would convey endorsement by the Supreme Court. If you have any special needs, please inform Oasis ASAP and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that the class fee will be used to cover Washington Metro Oasis’s administrative costs. Neither Oasis nor the Court is profiting from this tour.

The hard-driving, piano-pounding style that is most often associated with men like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Pinetop Perkins and a host of others often overshadows the contributions to the idiom by women. We'll take a look and listen to some of the thumpin' and pumpin' piano women from Katie Webster, and Martha Davis to the present younger generation who now carry the torch, like Marcia Ball.