"Commodore Matthew Perry and the Legacy of the first US Treaty with Japan"

Thursday, 27 May 2021 (1630 hrs Eastern Standard Time)

HMCM (FMF) Mark T. Hacala, USN (Ret)

Ceremonies specialist, training officer, and historian for the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington, DC.

During this Continental Commandery NOUS Virtual History Lecture, HMCM(FMF) Mark T. Hacala, USN (Ret) will brief us on two topics. The first presentation will be about Commodore Matthew Perry. MCPO Hacala will review Commodore Perry’s naval leading to his two visits to Japan, his 1853 visits – including the Treaty of Kanagawa – and the legacy of the first U.S. treaty with Japan. His second presentation will be about the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, on 15 February 1898. After briefing listeners on the Maine’s commissioning and early service, MCPO Hacala will describe the explosion and its impact. He’ll wrap up this presentation by showing participants various artifacts from the Maine.