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Summer Nights Lecture Series | Manifest Destiny: Expanding Westward
Thursdays | 6 – 8 PM | Free Program | Ages 13+
Be immersed in history as we explore Ocala’s and Florida’s past. Each week different topics will be presented by professionals in the natural and historical resource fields.
Richard Kirk, Central Florida Professor
“Manifest Destiny: Expanding Westward”
Explore the remarkable transformation of the United States during the 19th century—from the Louisiana Purchase through the Spanish-American War. During this period, the nation emerged as an ambitious and rapidly expanding power, laying the groundwork for its future role on the global stage. Examine the driving forces behind this growth, including the ideology of Manifest Destiny, and consider how expansion shaped the country’s identity. The lecture also highlights both the successes of territorial growth—such as in Florida, California, Alaska, and Hawaii—and the limits of American ambition, where efforts to extend influence into places like Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula ultimately fell short.
About Richard Kirk:
An Ocala native, Richard Kirk has taught at the College of Central Florida for over 30 years, including a variety of courses on United States History, the History of Florida and Comparative Religion. When not teaching, he enjoys traveling, hiking and exploring different parts of Florida.