Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass!

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” ~Frederick Douglass RG 79 "Fred. Douglass, lawyer, ca. 1865" Washington, DC SP Douglass, Frederick, National Historic … Continue reading Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass!

Happy Birthday Langston Hughes!

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up       like a raisin in the sun?       Or fester like a sore—       And then run?       Does it stink like rotten meat?       Or crust and sugar over—       like a syrupy sweet?       Maybe it just sags       like a heavy load.       Or does it explode? ~"Harlem" by Langston Hughes … Continue reading Happy Birthday Langston Hughes!

The King of Calypso: Tribute to Harry Belafonte

“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.” ~Harry Belafonte On April 25, 2023, award winning singer, actor, and human rights activist Harry Belafonte passed away at the … Continue reading The King of Calypso: Tribute to Harry Belafonte

“The Beautiful Game:” Tribute to Pele

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” ~ Pelé On December 29, 2022, Brazilian futbol great Pelé passed away at the age of 82, in São Paulo, Brazil. He learned how to play football from his … Continue reading “The Beautiful Game:” Tribute to Pele

Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Champion: A Tribute to Bill Russell

“Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.” ~ Bill Russell President Obama getting a hug from Bill Russell. (NAID 222096181) On July 31, 2022, Civil Rights Activist and National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer William Felton Russell passed away at the age … Continue reading Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Champion: A Tribute to Bill Russell

The “Gorgeous Mosaic”: Tribute to David N. Dinkins

“I stand before you today as the elected leader of the greatest city of a great nation, to which my ancestors were brought, chained and whipped in the hold of a slave ship.” ~David Dinkins On November 23, 2020, former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins passed away at the age of 93 in … Continue reading The “Gorgeous Mosaic”: Tribute to David N. Dinkins

“…there is no East, no West..:” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits Cold War Berlin

written by Dr. Trichita M. Chestnut, Management and Program Analyst, in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland  “…there is no East, no West, no North, no South, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole, wide world:” ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sermon at the Marienkirche, … Continue reading “…there is no East, no West..:” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visits Cold War Berlin

The Week of April 4, 1968: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today’s post was written by Steven Booth, Archivist at the Barack Obama Presidential Library in Hoffman Estates, IL This week cities across the United States commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was killed on April 4, 1968. The day prior to his death, Dr. King traveled to … Continue reading The Week of April 4, 1968: A Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jesse Owens, American Hero

Re-post in Celebration of the Start of the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Today's post was written by Ms. Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in College Park The new biographical movie about Jesse Owens, Race, will be released in theaters this Friday, February 19th. The title has a double meaning … Continue reading Jesse Owens, American Hero

Jesse Owens, American Hero

Today's post was written by Netisha Currie, Archives Specialist at the National Archives in College Park The new biographical movie about Jesse Owens, Race, will be released in theaters this Friday, February 19th. The title has a double meaning - alluding to Owens' historic record breaking feats he performed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics as well … Continue reading Jesse Owens, American Hero