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Posted by: Stephanie Hall
Note: This 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 was established in 1976. Two years later, in 1978, the folk music and song collections housed in the Music Division as the Archive of …
Posted in: AFC 40th Anniversary, African Americans, Narratives, Storytelling
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
The following is a guest post by Owen Rogers, liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Although housed at the Library of Congress, the Veterans History Project is completely reliant on the voluntary participation of people around the country interviewing the veterans in their lives and communities. Since April is National Volunteer Month, this …
Posted in: Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
The following is a guest post by Christy Chason, liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). When our friends at the American Red Cross of Greater Texas told me they were sending us the interview of Richard Arvine Overton, who is thought to be the oldest living American war veteran, I got very excited, …
Posted in: African Americans, Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, World War II
Posted by: Stephanie Hall
March 20 is World Storytelling Day. Tying storytelling with the equinox in March is thought to have originated in Sweden as Alla berättares dag (all storytellers day) in 1991 or 1992. Other countries joined to celebrate storytelling on the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and the first day of autumn in the …
Posted in: African Americans, Jewish American History, Jewish Americans, Narratives, Native American History, Storytelling
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
The following is a guest post by Owen Rogers, liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Looking back on my childhood in rural Connecticut, I was fortunate to have grandparents who lived just a few houses away. One of my favorite pastimes was to move from room to room in their house, pointing out …
Posted in: Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, World War II
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
The following is a guest post by Andrew Huber, liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). When you think of jobs in the military, what comes to mind? Infantry, pilot, tank crew and other combat roles are probably at the top of your list. Perhaps a few non-combat positions make your list as well, …
Posted in: Iraq War, Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, Vietnam War
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
As the National Security Agency’s (NSA) first female deputy director, Ann Caracristi was a trailblazer. I find it apropos that we pause to recognize her on this, the first day of Women’s History Month. That’s not the only reason Caracristi is on my mind today. Her name caught my eye in a Washington Post article …
Posted in: Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, World War II
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
She lived to be 108. That, alone, is awe-inspiring, but there was so much more to Alyce Lillian Dixon than just birthdays. Hers was a remarkable life—one most worthy of highlighting as we begin Black History Month. Though I had heard stories about the spry legend, born in Boston but living just a short distance …
Posted in: African Americans, Cultural Heritage, Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project, World War II
Posted by: Lisa Taylor
Every year, on the third Monday of January, America pauses to celebrate the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His widow, Coretta Scott King, along with many civil rights leaders, public figures and everyday people campaigned against the odds—and many resistant politicians—to make Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday. I …
Posted in: Civil Rights, Civil Rights History Project, Cultural Heritage, Exhibits, Holidays, Martin Luther King, Narratives, Oral History, Storytelling, Veterans History Project