December 7, 2026 is the 85th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. To commemorate this event, Long Island Historical Society is collaborating with five other historical societies around Casco Bay to present a monthly series of talks that will provide a detailed look at how Casco Bay and the surrounding area were affected before and during the war.

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are to be held at the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road. Programs are free for historical society members, $20 for non-members. The programs are:

• December 10, 2026, 5:30 pm: “WWII Panel Discussion” by the six historical societies: Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Fort McKinley, and Peaks, Long, and Chebeague islands. This is an introduction to the entire series and is free to the general public.

• January 21, 2027, 6:30 pm: “Build up to the War in Cape Elizabeth” with Julian Malcolm. of the Cape Elizabeth Historical Society. Held in the Cape Elizabeth Town Hall.

• February 10, 2027, 6:30 pm: “WWII: The Home Front”, with Kathy DiPhilippo and Seth Goldstein of the South Portland Historical Society.

• March 11, 2027, 6:30 pm: “Long Island During WWII” with Karen Rea of the Long Island Historical Society.

• April 15, 2027, 6:30 pm: “Fort Williams and Cape Elizabeth during WWII”, with Julian Malcolm, held at the Cape Elizabeth Town Hall.

• May 26, 2027, 6:30 pm: “The Battle of the Atlantic”, with Seth Goldstein.

• August 25, 2027: Long Island Historical Society WWII tour on the island. Preregistration required: karen@mainelyrea.com.

• September 15, 2027, 6:00 pm: “Peaks Island: An Island at War”, with Kim MacIsaac of the Peaks Island Historical Society.

• October 21, 2027, 6:00 pm: '“Chebeague Island During WWII”, with Donna Damon of the Chebeague Island Historical Society.

• November, 2027, date and time TBA: “Diamond Island During WWII”, with Ben Mackey of the Fort McKinley Historical Society.