Looking Back – Edgar Allan Poe

Photo from the Library of Congress' Photos, Prints, Drawings Collection

Today we celebrate the 208th anniversary of the birth of the “Master of Macabre,” Edgar Allan Poe. Born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, and orphaned at the age of three, Poe led a life of relative poverty, unhappiness, and solitude. Yet, he managed to eke out a living as a writer, publishing short stories and becoming a relentless critic of some of the most celebrated writers of his time, including one Rufus Griswold. Although he realized some literary renown with his short stories and book reviews, Poe achieved perhaps his greatest success with his poem The Raven, first published in 1845.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Poe should indeed be pleased that his most celebrated of works has had such a profound effect on not only those in the literary world, but also those in the realm of jurisprudence. Judge A. Jay Cristol from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida was inspired to draft his own poetic version of The Raven as his opinion in the case of In re Love, 61 B.R. 558 (1986). (This case was also highlighted in one of a series of Ex Libris Juris blog posts dedicated to the Poetry of the Bench & Bar during National Poetry Month in April 2016).

Sadly, four years after The Raven was published, Poe died on October 7, 1849, in Baltimore. Interestingly, his relationship with the law did not end with his death. After his passing, Poe became the victim of a libelous obituary written by none other than Rufus Griswold, one of the writers most severely critiqued by Poe. However, Poe had the last laugh. Despite all of the defamatory statements contained in the obituary and a subsequent memoir, Poe’s legend and popularity only flourished.

For more information about Edgar Allan Poe, visit the website of the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

Looking Back – Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor survivor Bill Johnson stares at the list of names inscribed in the USS Arizona Memorial

U.S. Navy File photo

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, in the early morning hours on a quiet Sunday, Japanese fighters launched a surprise aerial attack on the American base, killing more than 2,400 people, both civilians and service members alike, and damaging or destroying more than 20 ships. The USS Arizona, one of many dreadnoughts moored in Battleship Row, saw the most casualties with 1,177 service members losing their lives. The event prompted President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to declare in his famous speech that this is “a date that will live in infamy.” In 1994, Congress passed a joint resolution designating each December 7 as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” In accordance with that resolution, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring December 7, 2016, to be National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and urging all Americans to support our troops and veterans both here and abroad. Now, 75 years later, we remember those brave men and women of the "greatest generation" who gave their lives in service of this country and honor those servicemen and women who continue to risk their lives in the name of liberty. 

If you would like more information about Pearl Harbor and the events scheduled for its commemoration, please see the following links:

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument  - This website of the National Park Service provides much useful information about the monument it maintains including information about the USS Arizona Memorial, the effect of the Pacific War on Hawaii, and about the attack itself. It also features photographs and video and audio archives. You can also track the experience of a NPS archaeologist who conducts research dives at the monument and view some past dives to the USS Arizona.

Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary Commemoration - This website details the programs and agenda for this year’s commemoration. There is a full event schedule for those who might find themselves in Honolulu during the time leading up to National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Most of the events are free and open to the public.

After the Day of Infamy: "Man-on-the-Street Interviews Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor"- The American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress is a digital collection that strives to provide free and open access to a vast array of materials that shaped American history and culture. Formats include manuscripts, photos, sound recordings, books, etc. Part of this collection is After the Day of Infamy: “Man-on-the-Street” Interviews Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Twelve hours of opinions that were recorded after the attack comprise this collection.

Pearl Harbor Oral Histories with Ann Hoog - On the pages of this website, Folklife Specialist Ann Hoog of the American Folklife Center talks about the interviews conducted in the days after the Pearl Harbor. The website also provides a list of other resources of interest available from Library of Congress websites and those of other organizations as well as some written materials.

Today in History - December 7 - This web page of the Library of Congress discusses the air attack on Pearl Harbor and includes some photographs from its collection. There are also some useful links for those who want to learn more not only about Pearl Harbor but also about World War II in general.

Happy 101st, Harris County Law Library!

Today, the Harris County Law Library celebrates the 101st anniversary of its grand opening on October 1, 1915. Although plenty has changed over the last century, one thing hasn't - the Law Library is still committed to providing patrons with access to relevant, current, accurate, and practical legal information. With free access to legal research databases, including Westlaw, Lexis Advance, Texas State Bar Practice Manuals, and more, the Law Library continues its commitment as a 21st century institution. Visit our downtown Houston location to learn more about all we have to offer.

You can also discover more about the Law Library's Century of Service through our digital exhibit. Last year, we marked the milestone with a Centennial Celebration featuring keynote speaker Chief Justice Nathan Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas. Videos of the speakers and information about our historic institution are available on our website.

Women's Equality Day - August 26th

Mrs. Suffern campaigning for women's suffrage in 1914.

Visit the Library of Congress catalog for more information on this photo.

Tomorrow, August 26, is Women's Equality Day. The date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees women the right to vote. Since 1994, Presidents have proclaimed the day to be a time of remembrance and recognition of the contributions of women throughout history and to promote women's equality in all aspects of society. Last year, President Obama reaffirmed that message with a proclamation in honor of the 95th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

For resources on Women's Equality Day, visit the National Women's History Museum blog.