NYE & Emancipation Proclamation

Happy New Year!!

As we bring in 2017, the Gregory School would like to take a moment to remember the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It is a tradition in the African American community to attend "Watch Night" services on New Year's Eve. Many people assume that this is simply an end-of-year church service, but Watch Night actually is directly connected to the Emancipation Proclamation. Read about the history of Watch Night here (http://www.npr.org/2012/12/29/167905308/watch-nights-honor-emancipation-proclamations-anniversary) and here (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-joan-r-harrell/watch-night-service-in-the-black-church-in-america-150-years-_b_2389965.html).

For more information on the Emancipation Proclamation, click below.
National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation
Library of Congress: https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/almintr.html

We hope you had a wonderful winter vacation. Here's to a productive, peaceful, and prosperous 2017!


VW

Remembering Dorie Miller, a Pearl Harbor Hero

As many people commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, we call attention to Mr. Doris "Dorie" Miller. Miller was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the attack. Born in Waco, Miller is an important figure in Texas history. Read about current efforts to grant him a posthumous Medal of Honor in the news article linked below.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2016/12/07/dorie-millers-fans-keep-fighting-honor-black-sailors-pearl-harbor-heroism

VW

New Texas African American History Memorial in Austin

Hello!

The holiday season is quickly approaching. A highlight for local history in 2016 is the recent unveiling of the Texas African American History Memorial in Austin. Mayor Sylvester Turner was in attendance. The monument depicts Juneteenth, an important holiday for Black Texans. Read more below.

https://www.texastribune.org/2016/11/19/texas-african-american-history-memorial/


VW

Commemorating Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in major-league baseball, passed away on this day (October 24) in 1972.  This post from the National Museum of American History's blog highlights a special comic book that featured Robinson in 1950.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2013/06/jackie-robinson-comic-book-hero-42.html

VW