
Event Description
A pandemic, protests, and economic jolts ushered in the so-called “Roaring Twenties.” Americans adjusted in ways both innovative and counterproductive. What lessons from the 1920s can we apply to our own looming 20s?
Historian William Woodward charts the eerily familiar developments of a century ago: shattered idealism, social clashes, domestic terrorism, culture wars, disorienting technologies, and fearsome disease. How might stories from a particular moment in the past—one with remarkable parallels to the present—shed light on ways for us to move forward? As the 2020s unfold, what conversations should we have?
William Woodward (he/him) is an award-winning professor of American and Pacific Northwest history at Seattle Pacific University. His teaching, research, and writing focus on iconic elements of regional and national culture, including the military and baseball. His co-authored pictorial history of the Washington National Guard was released in 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, as well as a master’s degree and PhD from Georgetown University.
Woodward lives in Seattle.
- When
- January 12, 2022
10:00 am - Attend Online
- Online registration for this event is closed.
- Host
- Senior Services for South Sound

About Speakers Bureau Events
Speakers Bureau talks are free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, and everything in between. Humanities Washington’s Speakers Bureau roster is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. All talks are free and open to the public, and each lasts about an hour. They are hosted by a wide range of organizations throughout Washington State.