The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series
Awakening the Spirit of America:
FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy
%20(2).png)
Presented by the Filson Historical Society.
Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. The president had warned for years that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president.
The situation was dire, and Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator's youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to Linberg’s radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding England’s survival—and the world’s.
Awakening the Spirit of America brilliantly shows how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, reveals how FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today.
Paul M. Sparrow is a writer, historical consultant, and the former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series is presented by the Filson Historical Society, one of Kentucky’s largest privately funded historical societies. Initiated in 1993 as a memorial to the life of Gertrude Polk Brown, this series is made possible through the generosity of her children, grandchildren, and other close relatives. The series has brought internationally recognized historians to Louisville. More than 43,000 citizens have learned more about the significant stories of our region, nation, and world because of the Gertrude Polk Brown lectures. For more information about the Filson, please visit filsonhistorical.org.
Information on how to watch a livestream of the event will be included with tickets.
The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series
Presented by the Filson Historical Society.
Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. The president had warned for years that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president.
The situation was dire, and Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator's youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to Linberg’s radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding England’s survival—and the world’s.
Awakening the Spirit of America brilliantly shows how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, reveals how FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today.
Paul M. Sparrow is a writer, historical consultant, and the former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series is presented by the Filson Historical Society, one of Kentucky’s largest privately funded historical societies. Initiated in 1993 as a memorial to the life of Gertrude Polk Brown, this series is made possible through the generosity of her children, grandchildren, and other close relatives. The series has brought internationally recognized historians to Louisville. More than 43,000 citizens have learned more about the significant stories of our region, nation, and world because of the Gertrude Polk Brown lectures. For more information about the Filson, please visit filsonhistorical.org.
Information on how to watch a livestream of the event will be included with tickets.
Awakening the Spirit of America:
FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy
Meet the Artists
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, or if you want to learn more about this issue, check out these RESOURCES. For immediate assistance, call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm or suicide, check out these RESOURCES. For immediate assistance, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255.\
Our Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm or suicide, there is help available.
If you require immediate assistance:
Call 911
Go to the nearest emergency room
Call the toll-free, 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- TALK (8255)
Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trainee crisis counselor for free, 24/7
Si tú o alguien que conoces tiene pensamientos suicidas, una línea directa de prevención puede ayudar. La Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio está disponible las 24 horas del día llamando al 800-273-8255, en inglés y español. Los recursos debajo que ofrecen soporte en español están marcados.
Hear From Our Members
your performance by joining a membership!