Two current Houstonians describe the changes the city of Houston went through after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2. Gene Locke, now a prominent lawyer in this city, explains that Houston would not be able to compete … Continue reading
Footage from 1967 of Thurgood Marshall’s appointment as the the first African-American Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall was confirmed by a Senate vote of 69–11 on August 30, 1967; in this video, members of the U.S. Senate give their feedback on the historic confirmation.
Stephen Carter, former clerk of Justice Thurgood Marshall in 1980, shares a story on how Marshall would never say a negative thing about someone, including the segregationists that he effectively dedicated his legal career opposing. Carter describes a time when one particular segregationist lawyer’s name came up and instead of … Continue reading
Charles Sprowl, a veteran who served as an army technician in the U.S. First Unit Special Brigade, landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day with his unit. He describes the camaraderie that was created when landing on the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Sprowl explains that there was no … Continue reading
https:// Author and poet Maya Angelou discusses her work with Martin Luther King, Jr. She recalls where she was when she found out King had been assassinated–on the same day as her birthday: “Life stopped for me…”
Lee Pfund, a pitcher on the Dodgers when Jackie Robinson joined the team, discusses Robinson’s legacy and sacrifice by joining the Dodgers. Pfund was one of Robinson’s few friends on the team, and often talked about their faith and family on long bus rides to play games. Jackie Robinson was … Continue reading
I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. (Read the full text below.) April 16, 1963 My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement … Continue reading
President Lyndon B. Johnson explains the importance of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and speaks about what passing it means to him after signing it on April 11, 1968.
“…But it’s also true that some of the policies, of this Committee have become political issues. And so, naturally, I’ve had a great many messages come to me by wire, phone and letter, urging me not to show up at this hearing.” 7/18/49 “When the House Committee on Un-American Activities … Continue reading
Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Uhuru, describes the meeting she had with MLK when he persuaded her to continue her role on Star Trek. Continue reading
