The following post is part of a series of blog posts about the 40th Anniversary Year of the American Folklife Center. Visit this link to see them all! The American Folklife Center is thrilled to congratulate Billy McComiskey, one of the country’s top button accordion players in Irish traditional music, for winning a 2016 National …
The following is a guest post by Andrew Huber, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Chances are that on July 4th, many of you will be enjoying your holiday with friends and family, perhaps by grilling in the backyard, going to the beach, playing games or just relaxing with a book. In the …
Today Gay Pride parades occur on weekends in June throughout the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world. It is unusual for folklorists to be able to say exactly when and where a tradition began, but this is a rare case when history does record the events. The tradition of …
The following is a guest post by Andrew Huber, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). While most people who serve in the military never see combat, the reality of military service is that it is a stressful, sometimes dangerous vocation. Whether it is from experiences in battle, as a prisoner of war or …
This weekend there will be barbecues, pies, home-made strawberry soda, and other treats that have become common features of Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States that has its roots in the joyful celebrations of newly-freed slaves in Texas at the end of the Civil War. It is thought to …
The following guest post by Jennifer Cutting is part of a series of blog posts about the 40th Anniversary Year of the American Folklife Center. Visit this link to see them all! The American Folklife Center (AFC) is pleased to announce the availability online of four titles from our historic series of record albums, Folk …
The following is a guest post by Owen Rogers, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Today, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project wishes a Happy 241st Birthday to the U.S. Army. First of the five armed service branches, Army traditions span the American War of Independence to the Afghan War, and accordingly, …
The following is the second part of a two-part blog post on the George Pearcy and Robert Augur Veterans History Project (VHP) collections—you can read Part One here. “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Pearcy: I am a friend of your son George and am one of those who have been liberated from the hands of the …
On May 23, 2016, Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District took the time to commend the American Folklife Center for 40 years of service to the nation on the floor of the House of Representatives. His statement appeared in the Congressional Record. AFC is grateful to the Congressman for his work with us …
