National African American History Month: Justice Thurgood Marshall

National African American History Month traces its roots to efforts made by historian and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In 1926, Dr. Woodson instituted the first Negro History Week in February 1926, a week that coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. More than 50 years later, it was expanded to Black History Month or African American History Month.

In honor of National African American History Month, the Harris County Law Library created a digital exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the country’s highest court. The exhibit highlights his career as a civil rights attorney, as Solicitor General, and as Supreme Court Justice. For those of you who are fortunate to visit our library, you can view an exhibit commemorating Justice Marshall’s extraordinary life in the Law Library lobby.

If you are interested in learning more about African American history and the notable life of Justice Thurgood Marshall, please see these digital resources:

United States Courts (“Justice Thurgood Marshall Profile – Brown v. Board of Education Reenactment”)

Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage

Constitution Daily (“Thurgood Marshall’s Unique Supreme Court Legacy”)

National Museum of African American History & Culture

Library of Congress Exhibitions

The Law of Impeachment, a discussion for all

On Monday, December 16, we welcomed attorney and author Barbara A. Radnofsky for The Law of Impeachment, a special continuing legal education event from Office of Vince Ryan, Harris County Attorney, and the Law Library. Radnofsky’s book, A Citizen’s Guide to Impeachment, is a well-researched, non-partisan guide to this timely topic and provided a touchstone for a lively discussion with lawyers and members of the public in attendance.

A Citizen’s Guide for the Citizens

Following the program, Radnofsky met with participants for a book signing in the lobby of the Harris County Attorney Conference Center. She presented a signed copy to Law Library Deputy Director Joe Lawson to be added to the collection and made available to everyone.

“We are honored to add this work to our collection and to make Barbara’s expertise and research available to everyone at the Law Library,” Lawson said.

The Law of Impeachment - the exhibit

To add to the learning opportunity, the Law Library assembled an exhibit of rare books, including original printings of the proceedings of impeachment for U.S. President Andrew Johnson and Texas Governor James “Pa” Ferguson. The exhibit remains on display at the Law Library and online as a digital exhibit.

The Law of Impeachment - the recording

Monday’s program was recorded and will be published as an on-demand video CLE in January, 2020. If you would like to receive an announcement about the recording, please sign up for the Law Library’s email newsletter below.

A Veterans Day Salute from the Harris County Law Library

Click the photo to see a copy of the law that established Armistice Day (1938) as it appears on the Harris County Law Library shelves in the original 1921 U.S. Statutes at Large from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Click the photo to see a copy of the amended law (1954) that changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Also from the original 1921 U.S. Statutes at Large at Harris County Law Library, from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.

On this Veterans Day, with gratitude, the Harris County Law Library salutes all who have served.

In 1938, Congress passed a law, 52 Stat. 351 (pictured above), which established Armistice Day as a legal holiday. Congress amended the law in 1954 following World War II and the Korean War to honor all veterans, “striking out the word ‘Armistice’ and inserting in lieu thereof the word ‘Veterans’.” Later that year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy’s delivered remarks at the Armistice Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Further reading on the History of Armistice/Veterans Day: