Since the birth of their nation Americans have acted on the belief that theirs was a land of youth, a place destined to offer a fresh start to an aging world. This seminar looks at discourses and practices of anti-aging in US society from the founding period to our present moment, but not without exposing their darker side: rejuvenation has often bred grand expectations before ending in division and despair. We will examine how Americans of diverse backgrounds have sought not only to feel and look younger but also to breathe new life into their communities. Whether marching under the banners of science, public health, sexual liberation, physical fitness, nation-building, or world peace, these youth seekers have tended to paint their ventures in utopian colors. However, rejuvenation has a price. From the Founding Fathers to today’s Silicon Valley elites, different anti-aging ventures have repeatedly magnified social inequalities, often projecting visions of society that were unmistakably classist, racist, misogynist, and ageist. This seminar was designed specifically for upper-level students (advanced Lehramt or Master) with a basic knowledge of US history.