Codes, ciphers, signals and secret languages have concealed communications over the centuries, whether oral, written, gestured, audible or electronically conveyed.  Cryptology—from the Greek words kryptos, “hidden,” and logos, “word”—began as the science of communicating critical information, usually of a political or military nature, in a secret language known only to the sender and the legitimate receiver.  Monarchs, rulers, missionaries, and presidents share an intriguing history of involvement in secret communications.

“Code Talkers” was the name for the Choctaw Indians who successfully sent messages for the AEF (American Expeditionary Force) during World War I.  During World War II Native Americans from the Chippewa, Comanche, Kiowa, Pawnee, Menominee, Hopi, and Navajo nations served as “code talkers” in regions from the Pacific to North Africa and Europe.  From 1942 until 1945, the U.S. Marine Corps recruited over 400 Navajo Indians for duty as communication specialists.  These specially trained Navajos-known as CODE TALKERS- devised an unbreakable voice code to transmit battlefield messages during the Pacific Campaign. From Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima to Okinawa, the Code Talkers transmitted and received military messages in coded Navajo that could not be broken by the Japanese.  The class will watch the 55 minute film. Discussion following.