Consider this a prologue to our Civil War series. David Lintern, a volunteer at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, discussed the Mexican-American War during a program last week at the library.

The Mexican-American War is where most Civil War officers saw their first active combat.

Learn about Ulysses Grant’s remarkable equestrian escape during one battle, the march to Mexico City, and why Santa Anna was a hero to some Mexicans and a traitor to others.

If you’re interested in history, we have two more programs this month you’ll enjoy.

First, our resident historian Dr. John Foster is starting a series that will focus on the US Presidents of the 20th Century. It begins with Rough Rider and conservationist Theodore Roosevelt.

Foster—who, in addition to being a librarian, has a doctorate degree in history—will discuss one of our country’s most fascinating presidents at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, at our Main Branch. The talk is free and open to all. You can register to attend online or call us at (440) 255-8811 ext. 247.

Additionally, Foster will discuss the Easter Rising of 1916 at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21,  at the Concord Township Community Center—7671 Auburn Road in Concord Township.

On Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, a group of Irish patriots staged a rebellion against British rule in Ireland. Although it failed, the Easter Rising opened the door to Irish independence within a decade. Learn about the rebels and their reasons during Foster’s lecture.

The Easter Rising talk is also free to attend. To register, call Suzy Cobb at (440) 639-4650.

Finally, our Civil War series continues at noon on Wednesday, May 9, at our Main Branch. The topic will be President James A. Garfield and the First Decoration Day.

By the way, if you’re interested in Civil War history, some other previous talks in our Civil War series can be viewed online in their entirety: