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

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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/


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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

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New "Historically Black" Project Uses Archival Objects to Teach Black History

In light of the recent opening of the NMAAHC, the Washington Post has commenced a project called Historically Black, which consists of a Tumblr and a podcast that showcase various manuscripts, photographs, and objects related to Black history. Check it out below.

Tumblr: http://historicallyblack.tumblr.com/
Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1155053105

Historically Black is a unique partnership between the Washington Post, American Public Media (APM), and a number of Black writers, performers, and tastemakers. So far, it sets a great example of intersections between archival work and popular culture.

Click the following link to read about one man's discovery of his family history through an ancestor's bill of sale. This story was recently featured on Historically Black. -->  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/10/03/a-hunt-for-his-slave-ancestors-original-bill-of-sale-unearthed-a-surprising-history/

Have a good week!


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