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Archive: September 2016 (9 Posts)

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

The Candidate’s a Dodger: An Electoral Folksong from Oral Tradition to Aaron Copland

Posted by: Stephen Winick

Note: this is the first in a series of posts about a classic item from the AFC archive, “The Dodger.” [See the first post here.] [See the second post here.][See the third post here.] Second note: we’ve also created a podcast version of these stories. Download our “Dodger” podcast here! As Election Day draws near, …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

VHP in the Classroom

Posted by: Lisa Taylor

The following is a guest post by Andrew Huber, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). As students have returned to school across the country, young people are learning not just about reading, writing and arithmetic, but about service, honor and sacrifice as well. Classrooms and student groups nationwide take part in the Veterans …

The Folklore of Far Away Moses

Posted by: Stephen Winick

The Face of Far Away Moses People who have come to visit our research center in the beautiful Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress may have noticed the interesting faces that adorn its exterior. Known as the “ethnological heads” or “keystone heads,” the faces were intended to demonstrate the different characteristics of the …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

The Inspiring Life of Texan Héctor P. García

Posted by: Lisa Taylor

The following is a guest post by Christy Chason, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Until recently, Dr. Héctor P. García was someone about whom I knew precious little. In fact, knowing what I know now, I am embarrassed to say that I had only ever heard his name in the context of …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

‘Dear Mom and Dad:’ A Look Inside the Letter Collections of the Veterans History Project

Posted by: Lisa Taylor

The following is a guest post written by Owen Rogers, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). The summer between fourth and fifth grade saw my first few weeks away from family. As we prepared for my two weeks at summer camp, my mother and I roamed from one store aisle to another, picking …

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Making a Difference Part Three: Insights from a VHP Interviewee

Posted by: Lisa Taylor

“Making a Difference Part Three” is the final post in a collaborative series featuring authors from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) and a sailor whose story is preserved among the permanent collections of the Library of Congress. The following is a …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

AFC Symposium Next Week–September 12 & 13

Posted by: Stephen Winick

As part of its ongoing 40th Anniversary celebrations, the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress will present “Collections, Collaborations & Connections,” a free public symposium here at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The panels will highlight the Center’s unparalleled collections, explore innovative approaches to cultural documentation, and focus on current best …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

In Celebration of American Labor

Posted by: Stephanie Hall

For many today, Labor Day is a day off: a day to go to the beach or have a barbecue, for example.  Relaxing activities are certainly part of the tradition.  But it should not be forgotten that Labor Day was born out of struggle for better treatment and recognition of the workers who built the …