David James will share his story, “The Day I Refused Induction” at our next History on Tap! event. He will, no doubt, also play one or two Vietnam-era protest songs. Join us on Wednesday, October 11 at 6pm in the newly family friendly South Bend Brew Werks. Beer, music, and the risk of arrest (50… Read more »

For the month of October, stop by the lobby on the first floor of the Schurz Library at IU South Bend to see an exhibit of military art and history. “The Things They Carried: Sequences” collects items used by veterans, as well as their stories — soon to be shared online. The exhibit is in… Read more »

Last night, former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Vietnam vet Alfred Guillaume led the book discussion of The Things They Carried. There was a receptive crowd of veterans, students, staff, and the community. The next book club meeting will be on Tuesday, November 7 to discuss The Anatomy of a Soldier by Harry Parker. … Read more »

On December 1, 1969, the Selective Service System of the United States conducted two lotteries to determine the order of call to military service in the Vietnam War for men born from 1944 to 1950. A long piece about what it was like to be drafted to serve in the US Military during Vietnam can be found… Read more »

As part of the Big Read St. Joe programming this Fall, we will be hosting TEDx IU South Bend. You’ve seen the exciting presentations of TED Talks online or heard them on radio programs. TEDx is designed to help communities spark conversations and connections through local TED-like experiences. In November, IU South Bend will put on… Read more »

The talk given by Katlin Mann on “The War Comes to South Bend: A History of the Anti-Draft Movement at IU South Bend” was well attended and highly engaging. Plus, portions of the day’s earnings went to help with Hurricane Harvey relief. Beer for good! Save the dates of the upcoming two History on Tap!… Read more »

Everyone should read Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, of course, but sometimes it’s more convenient to listen to the stories, too. Public Radio International has a podcast called Selected Shorts. You can find how to subscribe here or “watch” it on YouTube.

The main goal of the Big Read St. Joe is to have the entire community read and talk about an important American title. “The Things They Carried” certainly fits that bill (a New York Times book of the century, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and… Read more »

[Click on image to expand.] There will be a lot of programming centered around The Things They Carried. Here’s just a sample. More on the Google calendar found here.  More on book discussions in a subsequent post.

South Bend’s History on Tap returns for the Fall! The first History on Tap for 2017 is Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6pm. Join us for drinks and conversation at South Bend Brew Werks (now family friendly!). The brief and interesting talk will be about South Bend university student reaction to the Vietnam War and US… Read more »