Cultural History USA
New original content every Wednesday. History tidbits, events, and updates as the come.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Event: FDR Library-Lecture and Signing with Douglas Brinkley: FDR & CCC, July 9 at 7 PM
From the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum:
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT:
THE RENEWAL OF AMERICA
A lecture & book signing
Tuesday, July 9, 7 p.m.
Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center
FDR Presidential Library, Hyde Park, NY
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is pleased to present FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT: THE RENEWAL OF AMERICA, a lecture and book signing with Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History at Rice University, Historian for CBS News, and author of THE WILDERNESS WARRIOR: THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE CRUSADE FOR AMERICA. The program will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 in the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home. Following the presentation, Dr. Brinkley will be available for a book signing and several of his books will be available for sale in the New Deal Store. Attendees can visit the Library's new permanent exhibition until 10:00 p.m..-- free of charge -- after the program. This event is free and open to the public.
FDR visits with Civilian Conservation Corps workers at the CCC's Big Meadows camp in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, August 12, 1933.Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Archives
“Work! Save!! Win!!!”: Selling the Cost of World War I in America - Part 4: Magazines & Conclusion
Popular
Magazines
Magazines
were widely read in early 20th century America. Among the most
prominent at the time were Collier’s and
McClure’s. While other magazines,
such as Saturday Evening Post and Atlantic
Monthly were also widely read, in the
interest of time, I have selected focusing on these two magazines for their
wide circulation, slightly different tones, and generally pro-war positions.
Magazines
such as these led the charge in explaining bond purchase and ownership to the
public in a clear, detailed way. Explaining the necessity of giving to the
point of sacrifice for the cause, banker Thomas Lamont was able to explain loan
purchases in relation to other countries in Collier’s. “We must all realize that individual economy, thrift,
and saving of pennies, collected in units of dollars and invested in loans to
the Government, will shorten and help win the war,” he wrote.[1]
He explained that Britain gave 40% of the nation’s (considerably smaller)
income to the war effort, and though this may have been prompted by the volume
of death they were experiencing, “must we in America wait until our casualty
lists begin to come in before we can rouse ourselves to this same wholehearted
support of the Government?”[2]
Monday, July 1, 2013
Event: Massachusetts Historical Society Graduate Student Reception
Massachusetts Historical Society
Graduate Student Reception
Thursday, September 19, 2013
6:00-8:00 p.m.
The Massachusetts Historical Society, a top-notch resource for American history scholars, is hosting an open house for graduate students of history, American Studies, and related fields. This is a great opportunity for graduate students to network with other students and faculty from other universities and learn about what MHS has to offer!
For more information, contact Kate Viens or check MassHist.org for updates.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Frederick Douglass Events throughout Massachusetts in July
MassHumanities has put together a series of events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Their focus on Frederick Douglass is a bold choice, highlighting one of the great black orators who contributed to the changing of the tone in the North regarding slavery and ultimately forcing the United States government to take a stance against it.
Remaining events include readings of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" on July 1 at City Hall Plaza, Worcester, MA, Reading Frederick Douglass and the Emancipation Proclamation on July 2 at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, MA, and The Third Annual Reading of Frederick Douglass' Speech at High Rock Tower at the Top of Circuit Ave. off High Rock St. in Lynn, MA on July 3. Information on all of these events can be found here.
The Boston event is particularly compelling, given its taking place in the midst of Harborfest, Boston's week-long Fourth of July celebration, which draws millions. Such a high profile location is sure to get this important history event a lot more attention than is customary.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
“Work! Save!! Win!!!”: Selling the Cost of World War I in America - Part 3: Boy Scouts and Other Children
Boy
Scouts & Child Bond Sellers
Secretary
McAdoo and George Creel, as we have seen, often stumbled upon fundraising
approaches from outside sources. Indeed, Creel complained in his memoir of the
“flood of people that poured into Washington during the war, each burdened with
some wonderful suggestion that could be imparted only to an executive head.”
Though he conceded it was their “right as citizens, but it was equally the case
that the idea might have real value.”[1]
Such was the case with the Boy Scouts.
A Boy Scout aides Lady Liberty in raising War Funds. |
As
bond sellers, the Boy Scouts were perfect. In line with their mission,
President Wilson lauded giving “every Scout a wonderful opportunity to do his
share for his country under the slogan ‘Every Scout to Save a Soldier.’”[2]
Not only could they save soldiers; they could do it for free.
Initially,
the young bond salesmen were unsuccessful. Apparently, they had a tendency to
lose their nerve after knocking on the door. Partnering remedied the problem,
and scout tandems sold 139,654 bond subscriptions worth over $23 million in the
First Liberty Loan.[3]
Discussion about Boston's Italian-American North End, June 26!
Capossela's book on Italian-American life. |
This is an excellent opportunity to listen hear about the cultural make-up of a Boston immigrant community first-hand, and to ask questions that might better help you understand Italian-American society in post-World War II Boston.
The discussion will be hosted at the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet St., Boston, MA, 02113. This event is free and open to the public.
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