James Baldwin and Freedom Summer

We’re wrapping up Black History Month with a post from Adam Berenbak, an archivist in the Center for Legislative Archives. Novelist, essayist, poet, and activist James Baldwin (1924–87) “created works of literary beauty and depth that will remain essential parts of the American canon.”[1] He was an openly gay, Black man living in the Civil … Continue reading James Baldwin and Freedom Summer

LBJ and MLK

We are wrapping up our commemoration of Black History Month. Today’s post comes from Madie Ward in the National Archives History Office. The National Archives has countless items that highlight African Americans’ struggles for freedom and civil liberties. Included are documents on the Civil Rights Movement and, more specifically, on President Lyndon B. Johnson and Dr. … Continue reading LBJ and MLK

Before Stonewall: Facing Congress with Courage

Today’s post comes from Judith Adkins, an archivist with the Center for Legislative Archives in Washington, DC. In June 1969, patrons of New York City’s Stonewall Inn and their supporters took to the streets to resist police harassment. National Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month commemorates these events, widely credited with sparking the modern … Continue reading Before Stonewall: Facing Congress with Courage

Before the ADA, there was Deaf President Now

Danica Rice is an archives technician at the National Archives at Seattle, is partially Deaf, and considers herself a member of the Deaf culture and community. During our celebration of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s worth reflecting on an event two years earlier that served as a … Continue reading Before the ADA, there was Deaf President Now

On Exhibit: Bloody Sunday

Between 1961 and 1964, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) held a voting registration campaign in Selma, Alabama, a town known to suppress African American voting. When their efforts were stymied by local enforcement officials, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by Martin Luther King, Jr., pushed Selma into the national spotlight. On March … Continue reading On Exhibit: Bloody Sunday

Celebrating a commitment to civil rights at the Johnson Presidential Library

Throughout the month of April, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library will be exhibiting four cornerstone documents of civil rights. The “Cornerstones of Civil Rights” exhibit will run from April 1 through 30. The exhibit will feature two documents signed by President Abraham Lincoln: an authorized, printed edition of the Emancipation Proclamation; and a copy of the Senate resolution … Continue reading Celebrating a commitment to civil rights at the Johnson Presidential Library

They “Leaned In” and took action in federal courts

Happy Women's History Month! Today's blog post comes from Kristina Jarosik, education specialist at the National Archives at Chicago. Recently, two powerful women in the Silicon Valley, (Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook and author of Lean In: Women Work and the Will to Lead and Marissa Meyer, CEO of Yahoo) provided the media and the public the … Continue reading They “Leaned In” and took action in federal courts

Edith Lee-Payne: Accidental civil rights icon

This post comes to us from summer intern Hannah Fenster. When Edith Lee-Payne stepped into the lobby of the National Archives last week, she came from a morning full of press interviews and national monument visits. But the whirlwind of her recent rise to fame slowed when she entered the Rotunda to view a photograph … Continue reading Edith Lee-Payne: Accidental civil rights icon

January 18, 1964 – Martin Luther King, Jr. & LBJ

Martin Luther King, Jr., would have been 82 on January 15, and yesterday we observed the national holiday in his honor. The above photograph shows a January 18, 1964, White House meeting between four civil rights leaders—Roy Wilkins, James Farmer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Whitney Young—and President Lyndon Johnson. A civil rights bill was stuck in the … Continue reading January 18, 1964 – Martin Luther King, Jr. & LBJ

Facial Hair Friday: In honor of MLK

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at center. (542015 / 306-SSM-4C(51)15)This Saturday marks the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I have a dream" speech. I was looking through ARC at the pictures of how many people participated, when I … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: In honor of MLK