This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. James Bissett. He will be presenting on the rise and fall of the Socialist Party of Oklahoma during the first two decades of the twentieth century, when socialism in the United States enjoyed its golden age. He will explain socialism’s popularity in Oklahoma which had a strong tradition of agrarian reform. Drawing most of its support from working farmers, the Socialist Party of Oklahoma was rooted in such well-established organizations as the Farmers Alliance and the Indiahoma Farmers’ Union. And to broaden its appeal, the Party borrowed from the ideology both of the American Revolution and of Christianity. The conference will also feature a panel lead by Jason Morgan who is Board President of the Plano African American Museum along with other representatives of the museum. There will be a public history panel featuring graduate students from East Texas A&M’s public history department. Tickets are $20 and includes a BBQ Lunch. Please register by Oct. 21st.