Rick Atkinson - Hatfield Lecture Series

Speaker: Rick Atkinson
Lecture date: May 12th, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Title: Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777–1780 (Revolution Trilogy, 2)

Rick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight narrative histories about five American wars, including The Long Gray Line, the Liberation Trilogy (An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light), and The British Are Coming, the first volume of the Revolution Trilogy. He has won numerous awards, including Pulitzer Prizes for history and journalism.

In the second volume of the Revolution trilogy, George Washington’s army fights on the knife edge between victory and defeat. Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777–1780 provides a riveting narrative covering the middle years of the American Revolution. Timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution, Atkinson’s brilliant account of the lethal conflict between the Americans and the British offers not only deeply researched and spectacularly dramatic history, but also a fresh perspective on the demands that a democracy makes on each of its citizens.

About The Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series

For over 25 years, the Oregon Historical Society has presented the Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series, bringing together the nation’s top historians and award-winning authors for thought-provoking evenings of history. The series began at the suggestion of Senator Hatfield and continues as a tribute to his legacy of public service and as an opportunity to share stories of the people and events that have shaped history. Past speakers include notable historians and authors Heather Cox Richardson, David McCullough, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Jon Meacham, Cokie Roberts, and Isabel Wilkerson.

All lectures begin at 7pm and will be held at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland as well as livestreamed.

All lectures in the 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series will feature live ASL interpretation, available in the theatre and via livestream.

All ticket holders will be emailed a recording of the lecture 48 hours after the event. The recording will be available for 14 days. Recorded lectures will have closed captioning.

Tickets to the four-part 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series go on sale to OHS members September 16 at 10am and to the public September 30 at 10am. Not a member but do not want to miss out on discounted tickets and early seat selection? Join today!

Associates