A series of lectures on the early history of Italy, by Cyril M. Lagvanec, Ph.D., the curator of the American-Italian Research Library , will take place during June, July and August. Each lecture occurs at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. Each begins at 7 p.m. June 5 — In the first lecture, Lagvanec will focus on the Revolution of 1848 and the First War of Italian Unification, 1848-1849. 

July 17 — The topic is the Second War of Italian Unification and the creation of a modern Italy, 1859-1870. Aug. 14 — The final topic is the Hellenistic Age from Alexander to Cleopatra. Lagvanec earned his undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University, his master’s degree in British and European History from Tulane University, and his doctoral degree in American History from Texas A&M University.