Wednesday and Thursday you can learn all about Abe in the Smithsonian’s online conference. Image courtesy of the Portrait Gallery.

DCist’s guide to lectures and discussions in the D.C. area

There are a lot of political events this week, with Howard Zinn starting it off, and some talks on counterterrorism, Israel, the ubiquitous Abe, Reagan, civil rights, and a little bit of interior design thrown in for good measure.

Monday:
>> Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the 14th Street Busboys and Poets hosts People’s History author Howard Zinn. Zinn will be discussing his upcoming feature-length film, The People Speak.

>> At 7 p.m., Dwell magazine fans will want to be at the Corcoran for an evening with their editor-in-chief titled, Sam Grawe: Dwelling on Design. Grawe will be speaking about “why architecture and design should be important to everyone—especially at home.”

>> Or, head to the K Street Busboys at 6:30 p.m. to witness author William Kleinknecht sign and discuss The Man Who Sold the World: Ronald Reagan and the Betrayal of Main Street America.

>> If you enjoyed today’s interview with William Christenberry, be sure to be at Politics and Prose tonight at 7 p.m. for his book signing.

Tuesday:
>> Sixth and I is talking about What We Talk About When We Talk About Israel at 7 p.m., with author and The American Prospect senior correspondent Gershom Gorenberg.

>> Buddy Holly fans should head to the Atrium Cafe at the Museum of Natural History tonight from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. to see musician J.P. McDermott perform Holly’s music and discuss his life and work. He’ll be putting “the stories and songs in context with the times and places that shaped them.” $40.

Wednesday:
>> At noon today, former White House physician Lawrence C. Mohr will be at the National Museum of Health and Medicine discussing his work doctoring Reagan, Bush and Clinton.