Famous Events

We can learn so much of how to live in our culture by learning from past events. Deks has created a number of programs featuring events which have changed our world. The programs will each discuss the event and its significance from the point of view of the common man. As with all the presentations Deks provides, a historically accurate costume of the period will be worn and artifacts which participants can touch and examine will be available. A number of these programs are listed below but please note that Deks can create a specific program complete with costumes and artifacts at no extra charge if you will give at least a month's notice. See some of the programs which you can book below:

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ - A favorite of churches, this program is usually presented around the time of Easter.  Deks comes dressed as a Roman Centurion and accurately presents the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus, the Christ. Jesus spoke 7 times while on the cross, each was significant. Other questions are answered as well: How many soldiers were there at the arrest of Christ? Who actually crucified Him? How were crucifixions done? What did Jesus die from?

The history of the Christian Church - A related program, this presentation is actually done on a series of Sundays. It stands alone as the only multiple day program Deks presents. Over 7 Sundays, Deks comes, dressed each time as a different person of history and goes through how the Christian Church evolved over the first 1500 years. Questions are asked and audience participation is greatly encouraged. No part of the history of the church is left out. Was the Shroud of Turin really that of Jesus Christ? What were the Crusades all about? What are indulgences and how did the system work? How did monasticism start and what are the different types? How did the Christian church break into Catholicism, Protestantism and Greek Orthodox?

The landing of the Pilgrims - 1620. A ship strays off course (the Mayflower was supposed to land in Virginia) and lands in December in the icy cold area around Boston. The crew and passengers, sick from an arduous voyage clamored to get off the ship but the weather was so bad that they spent until Spring living huddled together in the cramped room of this small merchant ship.  Between this terrible first winter and the Spring and Summer, over half died of sickness and disease.  Yet the colony did survive and eventually thrive.  That fall, local Indians helped the settlers with planting, harvesting and making shelters.  Governor Bradford declared the first day of Thanksgiving, which we all still celebrate today. See artifacts from the period as Deks tells the story of the founding of the new colony which came to symbolize the hardiness of Americans and the birth of our nation.

The American Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution - These incredible documents have withstood the most difficult challenges of our 233 year history. Issues like the American Civil War, slavery, the women's vote, civil rights and major wars seem only to have strengthen the liberty and freedom which were afforded to us. Our founders, men of integrity who stood against the most powerful nation on the planet, had the vision to see what was needed and had the strength to get it done. Most of these men had prices on their heads, yet stood strong and gave us a country which has been the beacon of freedom every since.

Stories from the American Civil War - Brother against brother, friend against friend, and neighbor against neighbor. The Civil War produced enough exciting and interesting anecdotes to last a lifetime. The story of the 44th Massachusetts, an all black regiment of free slaves who bravely assaulted Ft. Wagner without hope, the story of Nathan Bedford Forest, a Confederate Colonel who freed his slaves if they would fight for him.  They all did! He also is credited with starting the Klu Klux Klan after the war. The statistics of the war are incredible. An example...In WWII the US lost 400,000 men. If we took the losses by just the Southern States and compared them as a percentage of casualties compared to the population level, the US would have lost a staggering 4.6 million men! In modern times, only Germany in WWI had a greater percentage of their population end as casualties. Deks is in his glory telling of the amazing stories of spies, heroes, cowards and new inventions

The History of the US Flag - The flag of the United States slowly evolved to become the symbol of our great country. This program looks at the flag's development and all the different types which have contributed to our current flag. Over a dozen large flags are presented and a history of each is given.  Deks loves to tell stories and many of the flag histories also have a story of some great deed of heroism attached. This talk has quickly become one of the great favorites of many groups. Patriotism is not dead. We can have a part in helping the next generation understand the role they need play in our country's defense.

Pearl Harbor - The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a complete surprise to the US. Or was it? Recent information has given us some incredible new information on just how much American code breakers were able to discover of Japanese plans and ship movements.  Deks delves deep into the latest knowledge and then shows just how the attack was carried out. American losses from this single attack were not equalled until the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City. The history of Pearl Harbor is a fascinating one, filled with heroic efforts to save lives and the ships they served. Yet, the greatest story of Pearl Harbor is the amazing spirit and ability of the United States people to recover from this tragic event and bring the war to a successful conclusion.

D-Day - The greatest day for millions of Americans, Britons, French and dozens of other countries during WWII. Operation Overlord brought the war back to the mainland of Europe and was the start of the final push to bring down Hitler'sHitler's Empire. How did General Eisenhower manage to keep the location and timing of this the greatest of assaults from the Germans? Who was the German in charge of the defenses in Normandy and why couldn't the Germans stop the Allies from gaining a foothold in Europe? Hear the stories of great assaults, terrible slaughter and the most massive buildup of men, materiel and ships every embarked upon.

The fall of the Berlin Wall - After WWII, communism spread across Eastern Europe and held millions in its grip, America and its allies entered a period known as the Cold War against the USSR and its allies. Thousands of Germans and other eastern Europeans tried to get out and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their effort. Deks has been to eastern Europe over a half dozen times and saw the different ways that the communists used to enslave their people. Everything from the sophisticated guard towers, land mines and barbed wire to a simple hitching post with a single guard were used in various locations. Berlin in particular had a very difficult time being surrounded and cut off from all outside help. Or so they thought. Deks tells stories of heroic attempts to escape and the final fall of the wall in 1990.

"I love to look at significant events in history.  We can see how everything that happens weaves together to make our world what it is today.  We also can truly see that history does repeat itself. Therefore, I encourage you to look at one of these programs or have me present another of your favorites. Your group or students will thoroughly enjoy seeing the artifacts, uniforms and history that will bring history alive." - Deks on Famous Events of History