Tag Archives: United States

~ Culture & History

History Takes Flight! Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC


National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lonnie Bunch, museum director, historian, lecturer, and author, is proud to present A Page from Our American Story, a regular on-line series for Museum supporters. It will showcase individuals and events in the African American experience, placing these stories in the context of a larger story — our American story.
A Page From Our American Story
Tuskegee Airmen Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Members of the Tuskegee Airmen Circa May 1942 to Aug 1943 Location unknown, likely Southern Italy or North Africa

Not many people know the entire story of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is going to change that. The Tuskegee Airmen epitomize courage and heroism. Their story, however, is more than just their legendary success escorting American bombers over Nazi Germany.

Their story begins more than 23 years earlier. In fact, from the early days of World War I, African Americans wanted to serve as pilots in the Army Air Force. They were repeatedly rejected — because of their race. In 1941, when Congress finally forced the Army Air Force to train African Americans, the powers in the Pentagon created a training program with one purpose — wash out the men who want to be aviators.

However, the Pentagon was in for a surprise — the Tuskegee Airmen did not fail. They would succeed and go on to serve in spectacular fashion. Their success would force military leaders to take a hard look at the policies of segregation that treated black servicemen and women as second class citizens.

tumblr_lpct1bHPtm1r08s91o10_250.jpg Click here to take flight with the Spirit of Tuskegee!

I offer this brief, brief summary of the Tuskegee Airmen story as a way of introducing a short, but fascinating video that features a treasured object in the Museum’s collection — a restored World War II-era PT-13 Stearman used to train many of the Tuskegee Airmen. The video documents this biplane’s historic journey across the nation on its way to being presented to the Museum in the summer of 2011.

The addition of the PT-13 Stearman helps bring the powerful story of the Tuskegee Airmen to life. Together they help fulfill the Museum’s mission to engage, educate, and bring pride to all Americans.

Enjoy!
Lonnie Bunch, Director All the best,
Lonnie Bunch Director

 
P.S. We can only reach our $250 million goal with your help. I hope you will consider making a donation or becoming a Charter Member today.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution’s family of extraordinary museums.The museum will be far more than a collection of objects. The Museum will be a powerful, positive force in the national discussion about race and the important role African Americans have played in the American story — a museum that will make all Americans proud.
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Weekly Address: Extending the Payroll Tax Cut for the Middle Class


Feb 11, 2012 by

President Obama urges Congress to extend the payroll tax cut to prevent a tax hike on 160 million hardworking Americans.

Tell us what $40 means to you and your family. What would you have to go without or give up if Congress doesn’t act?

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House did 2min of work today – the Senate considers the nomination of Adalberto Jose Jordan for Judge of 11th Circuit

1 Comment

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET February 13, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #437, the nomination of Adalberto Jose Jordan, of Florida, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees .
  • Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Jordan nomination.

At approximately 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Adalberto Jordan, of Florida, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit.

5:33pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Adalberto Jose Jordan, of FL, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit; Invoked: 89-5

The Senate is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. By consent, time during morning business and any adjournment or recess will count post cloture. There will be no further roll call votes tonight.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 13, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

. -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on February 14, 2012.1:01:56 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.1:01:50 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.1:00:37 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.1:00:28 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Steven C. LaTourette to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.1:00:13 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for President.


Five years ago today, a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for President.

The task was to build a grassroots movement capable of making the kind of change we believe in.

You’ve got to see this video about that journey — it will make you smile:


From the very start this has been an experiment in our political process, testing whether ordinary people really can still come together to change this country.

We proved that it’s possible. But we’ve also learned that entrenched interests adapt and claw back even harder, which means this election will be even more of a challenge.

I can’t wait to see what you can do.

Barack

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More than 1 million people like you power this campaign. If you can, please donate today.

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WA State – Support Jay Inslee FOR Governor … Building a Working Washington


Dear Supporter,

Read my jobs planEarlier today, I unveiled my jobs plan, Building a New Economy for Washington, and the proposals I will pursue to create jobs as Washington’s next governor.

If there’s one state I believe can turn its economy around, that can harness an innovative and creative vision for the future, it’s our state. We are uniquely suited to build a new economy that raises the quality of life for middle-class families for generations to come — and that’s because our state has a unique blend of innovation and values not found anywhere else.

We create. We invent. We build.

This is our first major policy proposal, but it won’t be our last. Over the weeks and months to come, this will be the trailhead as we chart a path to Building a Working Washington.

I want to know you’re standing with me.

Read my plan, Building a New Economy for Washington, today and then sign on as a citizen endorser.

Washingtonians are at a crucial point in our history.

We are still trying to recover from this recession. We are in an international competition for jobs. The middle class is being squeezed like never before. For the first time, parents are facing the prospect of diminished opportunity for their kids.

It’s a wake-up call, and I refuse to let it go unanswered.

My plan takes into account these challenges, the potential we have right now to take steps in the right direction, and the opportunity we have to build on Washington’s innovative past and grow industries of the future like clean tech.

We accomplish this by focusing on existing industry clusters where Washington already can — or has the potential to — out-compete national and international competitors. Then we examine what is standing in the way of growing these industries further, what competition we face from out of state, and what changes we can make that will immediately make Washington more competitive to keep existing jobs while creating new ones.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my plan and let me know you’re with me.

Read my plan, Building a New Economy for Washington, today and then sign on as a citizen endorser.

In the coming year, we have a choice. We can choose to go small, and tinker around the edges, and suffer from the same tired economic results.

Or we can choose a different approach — a bold, innovative, forward-thinking approach — led by someone who isn’t afraid to think outside the box, be independent, and take the difficult, but right, path.

Together, we will build this new economy. It will take hard work, but that is in our state’s history — and in our future.

I’m committed to this fight. I hope you are too. Read my plan today, and join me.

Very truly yours,


Jay Inslee