February is African American History Month, an annual celebration that has existed since 1926. This year’s theme, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.” This year also marks the centennial of ASALH, which was established in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson, the “Father of Black History.”
The Library is home to comprehensive collections on African American history and culture, particularly robust in the area of civil rights. Currently on exhibit at the Library is “The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom.”
To get a glimpse into the breadth of the Library’s collections, make sure to follow the Pinterest board on African American History Month.
A few highlights and popular pins include “The Brownie Book,” a monthly children’s magazine edited by W.E.B. Dubois; collections of notable African American figures like Thurgood Marshall and Nannie Helen Burroughs; and striking images such as a photograph of two former slaves, both allegedly over 100 years old, attending an “emancipation reunion” in 1916 Washington, D.C.
In partnership with several institutions, including the Smithsonian and National Archives, the Library has pulled together even more resources to recognize African-American heritage and achievement. Highlighted are presentations on the artist Hale Woodruff, African American veterans and teacher resources.
Make sure to check out the Library of Congress blogosphere to see what they are posting to commemorate African American History month. Here are a couple of recent postings: In Custodia Legis and Folklife Today.
Comments
CIVIL RIGHTS: Let’s read our history on civil war which occurred in 1861 to 1865. History says; it was the Northerners and the Southerners who fought the bloodiest war, and why did they fight? was because the Southerners were pro-slavery and the Northerners were anti-slavery. And the slaves were African Americans. 1865 was the end of the civil war, 600,000 Confederate and Union soldiers died and 40,000 slaves were emancipated and the civil rights was announced. This was the end of slavery and outlawed. In the 20th century Dr. Martin Luther King inspired Congress to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the 20th century the White pro-slavery ideologists strike here and there; with White anti-slavery ideologists opposing it with Civil Rights Act as a tool. In the 21st century the first African American President Obama with his White colleagues in Congress urges the young African Americans to get involved on education with Civil Rights as a tool to fight for freedom for all young Americans which leads to a peaceful solution. There’s no more civil war similar to that of 1861-1865, but the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will be a solution through the US Congress with President Obama and by Bipartisanship.