This talk will first examine the extraordinary mind and life of Thomas Jefferson till 1776. Next it will discuss how he came to write our country’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence: the major influences on him and why he was selected to write its first draft. The talk will end by examining the concept of American freedom: what it meant to the ancient Greeks—a well-spring of Western Civilization, what it meant to Americans 250 years ago, and its various meanings today.

Join us in the historic ballroom at Linden Place for a talk with Fred Zilian, Ph.D on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7 PM.