FREDONIA — The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present “The Birth of the American Legion and Fredonia Post 59” as the fourth talk in its Chautauqua County History Lecture Series today at 7 p.m.

Todd Langworthy, Pomfret historian, will give the illustrated lecture, which helps kick off the weekend’s Fredonia History Days.

Langworthy’s talk will celebrate the American Legion’s 100th Anniversary, provide an introduction to the legion and discuss its importance in communities around the world today. The presentation also will feature a focus on Fredonia Memorial Post 59, with the story of its formation locally and the famous celebration held in 1919 honoring local veterans of “The Great War.”

The program will include a color guard from Memorial Post 59 and a salute to veterans and American Legion posts throughout the area.

The program serves as a kick-off to Fredonia History Days, which includes activities on the evening of Friday, July 12, and all day on Saturday, July 13, in Fredonia’s Barker Commons.

Admission to the presentation is free, with donations accepted. The next program in the lecture series will be held Aug. 8 and will feature JCC Professor Traci Langworthy speaking about the myths and realities of the War of 1812.

Operating support for the program comes from the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in Fredonia. A complete schedule of Opera House events is available at fredopera.org.