The OC Cal Alumni Club and the University of Pennsylvania are happy to present Dr. Richard Beeman, Professor of History at UPenn, for a discussion on the foundation of the United States of America...

The fifty-five men who gathered in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House in the summer of 1787 faced a formidable task. The thirteen "united states" which comprised the American union were in fact, profoundly "dis-unite" -- divided by ethnic, religious, and regional differences and by competeing economic and political interests. Yet those men, in the space of four months, managed to draft a form of federal union that has proven remarkably successful and durable.

How, as George Washington once asked, "was this wonder brought about?" Professor Beeman will explore the 18th century political culture and the habits of political leadership that allowed the Founding Fathers to accomlish so much in such a short time. In the process, he will reflect on how members of our current Congress, also torn by such division and nearly paralyzed in partisan gridlock, might learn from the Founding Fathers.

Dr. Beeman is a UC Berkeley alum ('64) and author of Plain, Honest Men: Making of th U.S. Constitution. He will be available for a book signing following the presentation.

Monday, April 26, 2010 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Reception - 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Program - 7:30 - 9:00 pm 

8105 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California

Cost:  $25.00 

Evite to follow (Limited seating capacity) 

For information, please contact: Jeannie Hogue (UPenn College Arts & Science 88 )

titanquaker@hotmail.com

Bill Hsiang (CAL Letters & Science 68, UPenn School of Dental Medicine 74)

gardenviewdentistry@gmail.com