Top of page
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
On July 5, 1852, eminent African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivered a brilliant speech that was a powerful indictment of American slavery and racism. Read the speech as printed within days in his own newspaper.
Posted in: African American History, Biography, Digitized Newspapers, Holidays
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
In honor of Juneteenth, we highlight our Headlines and Heroes blogs focusing on African American history and culture, ranging from a look at fugitive slave ads to our acquisition of a rare comic book series, Negro Romance.
Posted in: African American History, Comic Books, Digitized Newspapers, Newspapers, Women's History, World War I
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1849. She then returned there multiple times, risking her life to bring others to freedom as a renowned conductor on the Underground Railroad.
Posted in: African American History, Biography, Digitized Newspapers, Women's History
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
As April's National Poetry Month ends, here's your chance to read compelling poetry found in the millions of pages in our online historical newspaper collections.
Posted in: African American History, Digitized Newspapers, U.S. Presidents, Women's History, World War I
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
Have you tried searching our new online collection: Frederick Douglass Newspapers, 1847-1874? We've just added some additional issues of The North Star and Frederick Douglass' Paper, all digitized from original paper format.
Posted in: African American History, Biography, Digitized Newspapers
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
Events in Rosa Parks' life are chronicled in newspapers and comic books and reinforce her well-justified iconic status. At times, though, their simplified coverage perpetuates the myth of Parks as the quiet seamstress who was too tired to stand to give up her seat.
Posted in: African American History, Biography, Comic Books, Digitized Newspapers, Newspapers, Women's History
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
See hundreds of issues of newspapers edited by African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass, one of the most significant writers and orators of the 19th century, on the Library of Congress website.
Posted in: African American History, Digitized Newspapers
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
Abhorrent in their treatment of people as property, these brief descriptions of African-Americans who escaped enslavement bear witness to the bravery and unique characteristics of individuals who defied a massively powerful system allied against them.
Posted in: African American History, Digitized Newspapers, U.S. Presidents
Posted by: Arlene Balkansky
One hundred years ago, on February 17, 1919, the African-American 369th Infantry Regiment, popularly known as the Harlem Hell Fighters, marched up Fifth Avenue into Harlem in a massive victory parade in their honor. “Hell Fighters” was the nickname the German enemy gave the 369th and the name stuck for good reason. They were among the …
Posted in: African American History, Digitized Newspapers, Newspapers, World War I