Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center
Encyclopedia
The United States Congress
created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The authorizing legislation (Public Law 106-380), sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind
, Amo Houghton
, and Steny Hoyer
in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Max Cleland
and Chuck Hagel
in the U.S. Senate, received unanimous support and was signed into law by President William Jefferson Clinton on October 27, 2000. The mandate is to collect and preserve the firsthand remembrances of U.S. wartime
veteran
s so that future generations may hear directly from those who served and better understand the realities of war
. Working with members of Congress, the program relies on a national network of veteran service organizations, universities, secondary schools, community groups and the general public to record interviews according to program guidelines and send them (along with original letters, diaries, photos, memoirs and historic documents) to the Library of Congress
. The project, which serves as a resource for scholars, historians, students and the general public, holds more than 65,000 collections and is considered the largest oral history
program of its kind in the nation.
(March) 2007, the Library of Congress featured a film series, titled "Women at War", which featured:
In September 2007, Ken Burns
’ PBS documentary, titled The War
, first aired during a 2007 joint community engagement between the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and PBS. The seven-part television miniseries underscores the VHP's objective: to build the historic record by collecting first-hand recollections of men and women who served the United States during wartime. Moreover, the documentary's profiles of civilians as well as servicemen and women emphasizes another aspect of the VHP: that oral histories of civilians who have work in support of war efforts - such as Rosie the Riveter
s and USO workers - are appropriate inclusions.
On October 1, 2007, the VHP launched a companion Web site to Ken Burns' documentary, The War, to "guide viewers through each episode, detail related historic events through the perspectives of hundreds of WWII veterans who contributed their recollections to the project archives, and showcase the wide variety of media contributed to the archives.http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2007/07-198.html
On November 11, 2008, the VHP commemorated Veterans Day
with a special online presentation featuring firsthand recollections of African American soldiers from the 92nd Infantry Division (United States) of World War II.http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-203.html
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The authorizing legislation (Public Law 106-380), sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind
Ron Kind
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
, Amo Houghton
Amo Houghton
Amory "Amo" Houghton Jr. is a politician from the state of New York, a retired member of the House of Representatives, and member of one of upstate New York's most prominent families in business, the Houghton family.-Early life:...
, and Steny Hoyer
Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton Hoyer is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1981. The district includes a large swath of rural and suburban territory southeast of Washington, D.C.. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Max Cleland
Max Cleland
Joseph Maxwell Cleland is an American politician from Georgia. Cleland, a Democrat, is a disabled US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, a recipient of the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, and a former U.S. Senator...
and Chuck Hagel
Chuck Hagel
Charles Timothy "Chuck" Hagel is a former United States Senator from Nebraska. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected in 1996 and was reelected in 2002...
in the U.S. Senate, received unanimous support and was signed into law by President William Jefferson Clinton on October 27, 2000. The mandate is to collect and preserve the firsthand remembrances of U.S. wartime
Wartime
The term wartime could refer to:* Wartime, Saskatchewan, a small community in Saskatchewan, Canada.* Wartime Station, Saskatchewan, a small community in Saskatchewan, Canada.* A formal state of war, as opposed to peacetime...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s so that future generations may hear directly from those who served and better understand the realities of war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
. Working with members of Congress, the program relies on a national network of veteran service organizations, universities, secondary schools, community groups and the general public to record interviews according to program guidelines and send them (along with original letters, diaries, photos, memoirs and historic documents) to the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
. The project, which serves as a resource for scholars, historians, students and the general public, holds more than 65,000 collections and is considered the largest oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
program of its kind in the nation.
Veterans History Project Directors
- 2000-2006: Ellen McCulloch Lovell http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1501973
- 2006- : Robert Patrick http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/06078/patrick.html
Notable media projects associated with the Veterans History Project
For Women's History MonthWomen's History Month
Women's History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. March has been set aside as this month in the United Kingdom and in the United States...
(March) 2007, the Library of Congress featured a film series, titled "Women at War", which featured:
- On March 2: Mad ParadeMad ParadeThe Mad Parade is a 1931 feature film about women canteen workers toiling in a chateau near the frontlines in France during World War I. It was directed by William Beaudine and starred Evelyn Brent.-Cast:* Evelyn Brent as Monica Dale* Irene Rich as Mrs...
(1931) and 100% American (1918) - On March 9: Ladies Courageoushttp://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9903E4DA113CE03ABC4E52DFB566838F659EDE (1944) and Women in DefenseWomen in DefenseWomen in Defense is a 1941 short film produced by the Office of Emergency Management shortly before the United States entered the Second World War.-Synopsis:...
(1942) - On March 16: Flight NurseFlight nurseA Flight Nurse is traditionally a specialty where highly trained Registered Nurses provide comprehensive prehospital and emergency and critical care to all types of patients during aeromedical evacuation or rescue operations aboard helicopter and propeller aircraft or jet aircraft.Flight Nurses are...
(1953) and an episode titled "Inga" (1979) from the popular TV series M*A*S*H (season 7, episode 16) - On March 23: An episode from the acclaimed TV series China BeachChina BeachChina Beach is an American dramatic television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War. The title refers to My Khe beach in the city of Da Nang, Vietnam, which was nicknamed "China Beach" by unknown foreigners, most likely Americans...
and a television report titled "Woman Doctor in Vietnam" (1966), which aired on the CBS news program The 20th Century. - On March 30: Courage Under FireCourage Under FireCourage Under Fire is a 1996 film directed by Edward Zwick, and starring Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips and Matt Damon. It is one of the first films to depict the 1991 Gulf War.-Plot:...
(1996)
In September 2007, Ken Burns
Ken Burns
Kenneth Lauren "Ken" Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs...
’ PBS documentary, titled The War
The War (documentary)
The War is a 2007 American seven-part documentary television mini-series about World War II from the perspective of the United States that premiered on September 23, 2007...
, first aired during a 2007 joint community engagement between the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and PBS. The seven-part television miniseries underscores the VHP's objective: to build the historic record by collecting first-hand recollections of men and women who served the United States during wartime. Moreover, the documentary's profiles of civilians as well as servicemen and women emphasizes another aspect of the VHP: that oral histories of civilians who have work in support of war efforts - such as Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who were in the military...
s and USO workers - are appropriate inclusions.
On October 1, 2007, the VHP launched a companion Web site to Ken Burns' documentary, The War, to "guide viewers through each episode, detail related historic events through the perspectives of hundreds of WWII veterans who contributed their recollections to the project archives, and showcase the wide variety of media contributed to the archives.http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2007/07-198.html
On November 11, 2008, the VHP commemorated Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
with a special online presentation featuring firsthand recollections of African American soldiers from the 92nd Infantry Division (United States) of World War II.http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-203.html
Sources
- PUBLIC LAW 106–380—OCT. 27, 2000 114 STAT. 1447
- Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress
- American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress