Theories as to why the Holocaust happened 81 years ago will be explored Nov. 13 at the Dounda Fine Arts Center.

Dan McMillan, a Holocaust historian and author, will present his lecture titled “The Holocaust and Humanity’s Moral Progress: An Argument Against Pessimism” at 5 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.

McMillan recently released his novel titled “How Could This Happen: Explaining the Holocaust” in April, which further explains what he will speak of at the lecture.

The book is the result of nearly 40 years of research done by McMillan. McMillan chose to research the Holocaust after reading “The Murderers Among Us” by Simon Wiesenthal.

McMillan said he felt compelled to understand why something as horrific as the Holocaust was possible.

In order to answer his own question, McMillan became fluent in the German language by studying German and History at Stanford. He later earned a doctorate in German history at Columbia and a degree in law from Fordham University School of Law.

McMillan has worked as a prosecuting attorney and has also taught at universities in New York and New Jersey. McMillan once served as an associate professor of History at Eastern. He taught German history.

“The Holocaust and Humanity’s Moral Progress: An Argument Against Pessimism” is sponsored by the Departments of English and History as well as the James Jones Literary Society. The presentation is free of charge and open to all Eastern students, faculty and Charleston residents.

Samantha Middendorf can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].