Birmingham Public Library Archives presents two WWI events in November

It seems fitting that Birmingham, home of so many college campuses, and the first place to celebrate Veterans Day, will have two programs  honoring veterans, and exploring our country’s military campaigns and the history surrounding them.

The Birmingham Public Library Archives Department is hosting two 2017 Veterans Day programs focused on different aspects of World War I.

Both talks will take place in the 4th Floor Arrington Auditorium at the Linn-Henley Research Building, at 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. 

The first program, “World War I and the Making of the Modern Middle East,” featuring Dr. Annalise J. K. DeVries of Samford University, is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12.

“World War I transformed the region we know today as the Middle East, expanding some empires while others crumbled, creating new borders, and forging new political identities. Dr. DeVries will examine accounts from Maadi-Tura, an Egyptian prisoner of war camp, to explainhow the war experience created new points of conflict, particularly as the Ottoman Empire fell and the British and French looked to assert authority over the region”

 The second event at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, is called “Hearing a Different Drummer: William March’s Novel COMPANY K,” featuring Dr. Bert Hitchcock of Auburn University.

“Dr. Hitchcock’s talk will focus on the book “COMPANY K” by Alabama native William March, a decorated Marine combat veteran. Courageously different in his outlook and strikingly innovative in technique, March has never received the full recognition he deserves. 

Generous financial support for these programs is provided by the Rita C. Kimerling Family Fund.

These programs are presented in cooperation with Auburn University, the Alabama World War I Centennial Committee, and the United States World War I Centennial Commission.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 

Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place
Arrington Auditorium, 3 p.m.
“World War I and the Making of the Modern Middle East”
Dr. Annalise J. K. DeVries, Samford University

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017 

Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place
Arrington Auditorium, 6 p.m. 
“Hearing a Different Drummer: William March’s Novel COMPANY K”
Dr. Bert Hitchcock, Auburn University