Category: History Months

Books · History Months · Research

Apollo 11’s 50th Anniversary

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Two days from now, our nation will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon. Americans, Commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, which was broadcast live on television worldwide. Armstrong is attributed with stating that the landing was “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Preston Library offers many resources on the Space Race of the 1960s, including full-length movies and documentaries of the Apollo 11 launch, mission, and landing. Check out interviews and more at Films on Demand!

And did you know that we have the 1969 Apollo 11 log, a government publication, in our collection? While it’s currently being stored during Preston Library’s renovation, rest assured that it will be available for checkout when it returns.

Be sure to also check out one of our newest titles — American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race by Douglas Brinkley. Brinkley chronicles the political, historical, and scientific minds that were behind the United States achieving one of the greatest feats of mankind. You can find it on our New Books shelf on the 4th Floor of Preston Libary!

For even more content, check out the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s website on the 50th Anniversary of the Man on the Moon.

Events · History Months · Military Holidays

Independence Day

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Today we celebrate Independence Day! On this day in 1776, Congress passed one of our nation’s greatest symbols of liberty: the Declaration of Independence. This document was notably written by Thomas Jefferson (along with a committee that included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston), and had gone through many drafts before finally being accepted by the Continental Congress. The Declaration announced the 13 Colonies as 13 independent, sovereign states no longer under British rule. 4 days later, the Declaration of Independence was shared through public readings at Independence Square in Philadelphia, where crowds gathered and celebrated with music, bonfires, and fireworks.

Please note that Preston Library will be CLOSED on July 4th-7th. We will reopen on Monday, July 8th, at 0800.

History Months

African American History Month

Maj. CarrollLeave a comment

February is dedicated to the generations of African Americans who have both struggled with adversity and committed their lives to achieve full citizenship in American society. The history of African American History Month began in 1925 when the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History created Negro History Week. The event was eventually celebrated in February of 1926 during the same week of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays.

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During the 1950s and 60s, the Civil Rights Movement generated greater interest in the celebration of African American history as African Americans continued to struggle for gaining equal constitutional and legal rights. Many notable African Americans are honored for their tireless work, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Dorothy Height, Malcolm X, Bayard Rustin, Gloria Richardson, and many others. The Root published an excellent article on Civil Rights leaders here.

In 1976, the celebration of African American history expanded from a week to a full month – 50 years after the first celebration in 1926.

Learn more about African American History Month here.

Check out the Library of Congress’ digital collection on the Civil Rights Movement.