Mythos 1776 in Potsdam: Hiram Kümper at ZMSBw
Date and Time
Location
Price
About this Event
Mood
Venue Type
An evening about the founding myth of the USA that connects history and present
At the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr in Potsdam, Prof. Dr. Hiram Kümper takes the audience on a journey to the origins of the American nation. The lecture highlights 1776 not just as the date of independence but as the starting point of a political myth that still resonates today. The event takes place on September 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM and is free of charge. ([reiseland-brandenburg.de](https://www.reiseland-brandenburg.de/veranstaltung/potsdam/mythos-1776-traum-und-erwachen-der-amerikanischen-nation/))
History as a Living Narrative
Hiram Kümper is regarded as an established historian of the late Middle Ages and early modern period at the University of Mannheim and has published Mythos 1776, a book that critically contextualizes the founding narrative of the USA. The volume is published by Propyläen and addresses freedom, power, expansion, and the contradictions of the American self-image. This range also characterizes the quarterly lecture in Potsdam. ([phil.uni-mannheim.de](https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/spaetmittelalter-und-fruehe-neuzeit/team/hiram-kuemper/?utm_source=openai))
A Lecture with Relevance to the Present
The focus on the connections between past and present is particularly strong. The lecture relates the Declaration of Independence of 1776 to the political and social tensions of the USA today. This creates an event experience that not only informs but also stimulates reflection and ensures that the audience's mood lingers long after. ([reiseland-brandenburg.de](https://www.reiseland-brandenburg.de/veranstaltung/potsdam/mythos-1776-traum-und-erwachen-der-amerikanischen-nation/))
The Venue in Potsdam
The ZMSBw at Zeppelinstraße 127/128 is a fitting place for an evening that combines historical analysis and political contextualization as a research facility of the Ministry of Defense. According to the official service page, parking is available; the tram stop Potsdam, Kastanienallee/Zeppelinstraße is approximately 200 meters away. The facility is not fully accessible due to heritage protection reasons. ([zms.bundeswehr.de](https://zms.bundeswehr.de/de))
Why You Should Attend
Those looking for a clever, pointed, and simultaneously accessible lecture format will experience a strong piece of event planning with professional depth. The topic resonates with the current times, the historical context is precise, and the venue gives the evening a unique atmosphere. This date offers the best conditions for a rich, resonant event experience. ([reiseland-brandenburg.de](https://www.reiseland-brandenburg.de/veranstaltung/potsdam/mythos-1776-traum-und-erwachen-der-amerikanischen-nation/))
Conclusion: Mythos 1776. Dream and Awakening of the American Nation promises a challenging evening for all who wish to experience history, politics, and contemporary debates in a broader context. Those who appreciate a well-founded contextualization and a vibrant lecture atmosphere should experience this event live in Potsdam. ([reiseland-brandenburg.de](https://www.reiseland-brandenburg.de/veranstaltung/potsdam/mythos-1776-traum-und-erwachen-der-amerikanischen-nation/))
Official Channels of ZMSBw:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bundeswehr.brandenburg/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7qUcTcKMT1RJebRokcHiYQ
- TikTok: no official profile found
