All kinds of people have dreamt about flying into outer space, but only a select few are chosen to make this dream a reality. Out of this select few, a small number are women and an even a smaller number are African American. The series Mission Photographs Taken During the Space Shuttle Program, 4/12/1981 – … Continue reading African-American Women Astronauts Making their Mark in Space Exploration
Today’s blog was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Lead Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland The ideology of Black Power promotes cultural appreciation and black self-determination. Although it sometimes has negative connotations, the phrase "Black Power" represented racial pride, political and economic empowerment, and community service among those of African descent. … Continue reading Black Panther: A News Reel Video
While working on RG 15 Case Files of Approved Veterans' Pensions Application (Civil War and Later Survivor's Certificates), 1861-1934 series, I came across a rare object in a Civil War Pension file. It was a tintype of United States Colored Infantryman, Randall Nash. A tintype is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on … Continue reading Civil War Era Tintypes: Randall Nash, USCT, Inf.
Today we celebrate the birthday and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, who used the philosophy of nonviolent activism. King made advancements in civil rights for all people through nonviolent civil disobedience. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, … Continue reading Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday and Legacy
This will be the first blog post on a series of blogs on the lynching of women in the United States. Lynching remains one of the most disturbing and least understood atrocities in American history. During the Postbellum and Reconstruction periods, mob violence in the South became a tool for maintaining the racial order. African-American … Continue reading Lynching of Women in United States Blog Series Part 1: The Lynching of Sisters Eula and Ella Charles
In 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve as United States Supreme Court Justice. It was a milestone etched in the American memory in part because of the infamous fight to push Marshall’s nomination through a bitterly divided U.S. Senate. But, few people know that the Supreme Court battle was not Marshall’s … Continue reading “The Long Siege”: Thurgood Marshall’s Other Court Nomination Battle
Today’s Tribute was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Lead Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland “I had a dream, and I worked at it. I didn’t think about being the greatest or having an impact outside the game. I wanted to leave the game better than I found it.” … Continue reading Tribute: Meadowlark Lemon, “Clown Prince of Basketball”
Today’s post was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Lead Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama city bus to a white man. She was arrested and charged with violating the city’s segregation laws. Her act of civil … Continue reading 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
"Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day." ~ Congressman Charles B. Rangel In honor of Veterans Day, the Rediscovering Black History blog would like to commend those African Americans who served in the Armed Forces. The National Archives holds … Continue reading Remembering Those Who Served: A Tribute to Veterans
Today's blog was written by Mr. Damani Davis, Reference Archivist and African American records Subject Matter Expert at the National Archives in Washington, D. C. This blog was a part of a presentation titled "The Freedmen's Bureau and the Freedman's Bank: Reconstruction Records at the National Archives," given at the Association for the Study of … Continue reading Freedmen’s Bureau Transportation Records: Letters of “Sold” Former Slaves Seeking to Rejoin Loved Ones
