The Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944 – better known as the GI Bill – has come down to us as one of the most significant pieces of legislation on the twentieth century. Most take it for granted today as a major success story, but the truth is that the GI Bill very nearly failed in Congress; and its practical effects were not what millions of veterans had a right to expect from it. In this presentation, we will delve into the story of the GI Bill, praising its virtues, even as we take account of its failures.

About Dan Breen

Dan Breen is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Legal Studies at Brandeis University. After receiving a law degree at the University of Georgia, Breen received a Ph.D. in American History at Boston College. Breen has been teaching law at Brandeis on a part-time basis since 1998, and began the duties of a full time instructor in the Legal Studies program in 2015. Breen is a resident of Somerville and a long-time member of the Somerville Museum. He is also an integral part of programs like Voices from Somerville, the Penny Chronicles exhibition, and many more events and programs.

ADMISSION: $10; free to active Somerville Museum members and visitors 12 years of age and under. (use code MEMBER)

RSVP: Space is limited and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the Museum.