82 years ago this week marks the pivotal end of the Battle of Stalingrad, a major turning point in World War II. On February 2nd, 1943, the German 6th Army surrendered to Soviet forces, marking the end of the fierce and bloody battle. The American Heritage Museum features a rare Soviet T-34-76 tank and other artifacts in our Eastern Front Gallery to recount this historic WWII clash.
In honor of Black History Month, we highlight six African Americans who made a significant impact during key wars in U.S. history. Read more: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/02/black-history-month-heroes-in-u-s-military-history/
80 years ago today, the Soviet Army liberates Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, uncovering the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Located in occupied Poland, Auschwitz had become a symbol of the Holocaust, where over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered. As the Soviets advanced, the Nazis evacuated many prisoners in death marches, leaving thousands behind in horrific conditions. The liberators found emaciated survivors, evidence of mass atrocities, and warehouses filled with victims' belongings. Auschwitz’s liberation exposed the scale of Nazi crimes to the world. It is because of this, this day is now recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Experience military history from the Roman Empire, 1400 years before the birth of the United States this Saturday at the American Heritage Museum. The Legion III Cyrenaica living history group will be with us on Saturday, January 25th from 11am to 3pm to share with our visitors the history of ancient Rome, its military, and culture. They will be on hand to answer questions and interact with visitors throughout the day and is included with standard museum admission for the day. Learn more at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/the-romans-are-coming/
Join us at the American Heritage Museum this Saturday, January 25th to learn more about ancient Rome, its military and culture with the Legion III Cyrenaica living history group. More information see:
The Romans Are Coming! - The American Heritage Museum
www.americanheritagemuseum.org
Join us at the American Heritage Museum on Saturday, January 25th to learn more about ancient Rome, its military and culture with the Legion III Cyrenaica living history group. Legion III Cyrenaica is...
Speaker Series: Through My Father’s Eyes – Untold Stories of Easy Company
May 10 @ 1:00 pm, ending 2:30 pm
Free with standard museum admission
Join us at the American Heritage Museum on May 10th for an amazing talk by George Luz, Jr. about his dad George Luz, Sr., who was part of the original Band of Brothers.
George Luz, Sr., was in Company E, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division. Better known as Easy Company—was one of the most famous units of World War II. Their story was popularized by Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers and the HBO miniseries of the same name.
- Easy Company was formed in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, where they underwent intense physical and airborne training under the tough leadership of Captain Herbert Sobel.
- The unit became known for their running up Currahee Mountain (“Three miles up, three miles down!”), which helped them develop exceptional endurance.
- Easy Company parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day as part of Operation Overlord.
- They were scattered upon landing but regrouped under the leadership of Lt. Richard Winters.
- One of their most famous engagements was the assault on Brécourt Manor, where they took out a German artillery position firing on Utah Beach, a textbook small-unit action still studied in military academies today.
- Easy Company participated in Operation Market Garden, an attempt to secure bridges in the Netherlands.
- They fought in and around Eindhoven and Nuenen, facing heavy German resistance.
- The operation ultimately failed, leading to a prolonged and brutal winter campaign.
- Easy Company played a crucial role in defending Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge.
- Surrounded by German forces, the 101st Airborne endured freezing temperatures, shortages of ammunition and supplies, and relentless attacks.
- Despite being outnumbered, they held their ground until relieved by General Patton’s Third Army.
- In early 1945, Easy Company advanced into Germany, capturing strategic towns and military positions.
- They took Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountaintop retreat in Berchtesgaden, in May 1945.
- The company remained in Germany for occupation duty before returning home.
- The men of Easy Company became known for their camaraderie, courage, and exceptional battlefield performance.
- Many members went on to live notable postwar lives, with their experiences documented in Band of Brothers.
From reunions all over the country, George Jr. learned about the deep relationship that his father had with these men and years later began to understand the horrors they suffered and endured in combat.
Although George Sr. was killed in a tragic accident in 1998, George Jr. made a promise to his father’s memory that he would move forward and do everything he can to share his story and the story of Easy Company.
