Title: Shot Down over the Soviet Union: The U-2 Incident

On May 1, 1960, Soviet forces shot down an American U-2 reconnaissance plane, capturing CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers and triggering one of the Cold War’s most consequential confrontations. His trial, imprisonment, and eventual exchange for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel made him an international symbol of the struggle between Washington and Moscow.

Join his son, author Gary Powers Jr., for an evening exploring the mission, Soviet captivity, and the spy exchange depicted in Bridge of Spies. Drawing on personal records, declassified documents, and research for his book Spy Pilot, Powers examines the controversy that followed his father home despite his exoneration — and his own search to uncover the truth behind a public reputation shaped by secrecy, suspicion, and Cold War politics.

At each of our events you can expect a warm atmosphere, an ability to network as well as complimentary refreshments.
RSVP is recommended, donations welcomed.

Senate Square Society, an organization that is opposed to the current Russian regime and fully supports Ukrainian independence and territorial integrity.