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Graphic Novels: An Evolving Art Form Tackles New Themes

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:57:18 -0400

Graphic novels, combining comics-style artwork and dialogue, are winning acceptance as serious literary works that address complex issues. With the emergence of a new generation of Asian-American authors, the genre is exploring themes of identity, cultural roots and ethnic heritage.

Arab-American Writer Cites U.S. Freedom of Expression

Ahmed Mohamed — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:26:31 -0400

Arab-American writers long have come to the United States seeking freedom of expression and relief from censorship, says Arab novelist and sociologist Halim Barakat. In a lecture, he explores his experiences living in exile and his ability to express his personal freedom through literature.

Young Afro-Brazilian Entrepreneurs Gain Business Expertise

Carolee Walker — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:40:49 -0400

Young Afro-descendant Brazilian entrepreneurs are visiting the United States as part of a program designed to enhance their knowledge and skills. Youth in Enterprise: The Buck Starts Here is a citizen exchange program that helps Brazilian small business owners learn from their peers.

Filmmaker Shirin Neshat Brings Acclaimed Iranian Novel to Screen

Howard Cincotta — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:31:20 -0400

For six years noted Iranian-American video artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat has been adapting the Iranian novel Women Without Men, with its interwoven tales of women in 1950s Iran who exist as real characters but are also capable of becoming ghosts, seers and even trees.

Poetry as Oral Art Form Builds on Popularity of Slam Poetry, Rap

Carolee Walker — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:21:08 -0400

There’s no such thing as too much practice, says William Farley. Farley, 18, of Arlington, Virginia, is talking about reciting poetry. Farley’s recitation of “Danse Russe” by William Carlos Williams led the secondary school senior to victory in the 2009 Poetry Out Loud national championship.

Alex Ovechkin Leads New Wave of Russian, European Hockey Stars

Howard Cincotta — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:14:21 -0400

Russian and other European players have been starring in North American hockey for decades. Today, much of Washington is wildly embracing superstar Alexander Ovechkin and his fellow Russians on the Washington Capitals as they compete for a championship.

All Countries Invited to Participate in World Digital Library

Louise Fenner — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:49:58 -0400

The World Digital Library wants to add new partners and content from every country. The only way “to turn it into a genuine world digital library is to get everybody aboard,” says John Van Oudenaren of the Library of Congress, which created the WDL in partnership with UNESCO and others.

Iranian Americans Celebrate Encyclopedia Iranica

Burton Bollag — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:25:05 -0400

Encyclopedia Iranica, with contributions from 1,400 scholars worldwide, seeks to document all aspects of Iranian history and culture. But unlike many other reference works dedicated to a particular nation, the Encyclopedia Iranica is produced outside the country it is documenting.

For Many, Ties to Peace Corps Service in Iran Remain

Howard Cincotta — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:25:05 -0400

The last U.S. Peace Corps volunteer left Iran in 1976, but even decades later, many of those who served in Iran regard their encounters with the Iranian people and culture as among the most important events of their lives.

Pulitzer Prize for Drama Honors Play About Women in Wartime Congo

Michael Bandler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:31:51 -0400

Ruined, Lynn Nottage’s play about Congolese women brutalized by war, wins the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama. Also honored in arts and letters are novelist Elizabeth Strout, composer Steve Reich, poet W.S. Merwin, historians Annette Gordon-Reed and Douglas A. Blackmon, and biographer Jon Meacham.

Women Make Inroads in U.S. Publishing Industry

Sarah White — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:53:17 -0400

In the competitive world of magazine publishing, women entrepreneurs must find a balance between their ambition for business success and their devotion to their families. Kari Ansari and Jane Ottenberg, publishers of niche publications, can testify that it is possible.

Fine Arts Program Offers Intensive Experience, Diversity

Jeffrey Thomas — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:00:07 -0400

Rhode Island School of Design, which has the top-ranked U.S. graduate programs in the fine arts, offers students an intensive academic experience. International students comprise almost 25 percent of the RISD student body, which makes diversity a key part of the RISD experience.

Home Gardens on the Rise as White House Plants Kitchen Garden

Carolee Walker — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:23:47 -0400

Planting a garden is an inexpensive way to help children understand that they need fruits and vegetables in their diets, says first lady Michelle Obama. Fruits and vegetables are brain food, says Mrs. Obama, who hosted students to help her plant the first seeds in the White House kitchen garden.

Authors of Young-Adult Books Reflect on Issues of Race – Part Two

Sonya Weakley — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:08:29 -0400

Chandra Prasad recently published Breathe the Sky. Other work includes On Borrowed Wings: A Novel, Death of a Circus, Mixed: An Anthology of Short Fiction on the Multiracial Experience and Outwitting the Job Market. She said being half-Indian contributed to her interest in the politics of identity.

Eat Local, Stay Healthy, Says Pioneer of “Local Food” Movement

Carolee Walker — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:14:29 -0400

Nora Pouillon, a pioneer in the sustainable food movement, says children who meet farmers and gardeners will develop a connection between the growing process and the food on their plate. First lady Michelle Obama says her daughters benefited from meeting farmers or seeing how food is grown.

Some Americans Directly Confronting Legacy of Slavery

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:36:49 -0400

With the help of Eastern Mennonite University’s Coming to the Table program, American descendants of slaveholders and descendants of enslaved people can connect with each other to share their histories and discuss the legacies of slavery including race relations.

Authors of Young-Adult Books Reflect on Issues of Race — Part One

Sonya Weakley — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:28:13 -0400

Sherri L. Smith recently published Flygirl, her fourth novel, about a black girl passing for white to be a pilot in World War II. Married to a Chinese American, Smith also examines race and culture in her third novel, Hot, Sour, Salty, Sweet, about a teenager who is half Asian and half black.

Artist/Architect Maya Lin: Creating Epic, Earth-Friendly Designs

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:20:48 -0400

Maya Lin, who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at age 21, has become a highly regarded artist and architect by producing powerful works that signal her concern for the environment. Now nearly 50, Lin says she tries “to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings.”

Welcoming Spring, Persian Style

Esther Agbaje — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:29:48 -0400

For the fourth consecutive year, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Persian community of the Philadelphia area host an all-day Nowruz festival, commemorating the Persian New Year. “Celebrate Norooz” educates all Philadelphians about a Persian tradition and provides a taste of the community’s culture.

Japan Wins World Baseball Classic as Talent Diffuses Worldwide

Ralph Dannheisser — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:20:09 -0400

The center of gravity of the baseball world has moved sharply to the east. When Japan defeated South Korea in an extra-inning game to win the World Baseball Classic, it continued a trend that has seen the Asian teams come fully into their own in a sport that started out as “America’s pastime.”

Kyrgyz Basketball Team Follows Hoop Dreams to United States

Carlos Aranaga — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:25:35 -0400

In the trip of a lifetime, seven young Kyrgyz basketball players transcend personal tragedy in pursuit of a U.S. basketball tour of their dreams, thanks to a sports exchange program.

Lillian Pitt: An Artist Whose Modern Creations Have Ancient Roots

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:15:22 -0400

Native American artist Lillian Pitt creates sculpture, carvings, masks, jewelry, ceramics and paper-based works that reflect the tribal culture of the Pacific Northwest. Her works also strive to protect the ecosystem of the Colombia River Gorge area, where her ancestors settled 10,000 years ago.

Women Environmental Filmmakers Tell Important Stories

Carolee Walker — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:28:52 -0400

The best environmental filmmakers help good science reach the public, says Laura Boyd, a film and television producer at the National Geographic Society. “Scientists have enough to do without marketing their findings.” She spoke on a panel at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival.

Mountain in Iran Named for American Nurse

Howard Cincotta — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:59:56 -0400

A mountain and its surrounding forest near the city of Isfahan has been named Mount Helen in honor of a remarkable American woman, Helen Jeffreys Bakhtiar, who worked as a public health nurse in some of Iran’s most isolated villages in the early 1950s as part of the landmark “Point Four” technical assistance program.

Yo-Yo Ma Project Celebrates a Decade of Musical Collaboration

Carlos Aranaga — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:04:49 -0400

Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project marks 10 years of cultural diplomacy with a North American tour featuring music from Eurasian and Western artistic traditions. “We live in a world of increasing awareness and interdependence,” Ma says. “I believe that music can act as a magnet to draw people together.”

Artist Athena Tacha Explores the Mysteries and Rhythms of Nature

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:20:12 -0400

Athena Tacha, a Washington-based sculptor and conceptual artist, is one of the most accomplished and prolific creators of site-specific environmental sculpture in the United States. Her work, largely inspired by nature, also appears in the permanent collections of many major museums.

Nowruz Event in United States Celebrates Iranian Culture

Ralph Dannheisser — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:25:49 -0400

New immigrants from Iran, native-born Americans and area residents gathered on the National Mall in Washington to enjoy a day of musical performances, storytelling, fire-jumping and foods celebrating the Persian New Year, Nowruz, which officially begins on the vernal equinox and lasts 13 days.

Artist Jackie Brookner Unites Sculpture with Eco-Friendly Design

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:23:03 -0400

Artist Jackie Brookner combines her interest in art and nature by creating colossal sculptures that join steel and concrete with such organic elements as plants and water. Uniting beauty and functionality, Brookner’s works aim to restore the health of ecosystems while also delighting the eye.

Am I Possible?

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:44:45 -0400

This is an excerpt from Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, by Rebecca Walker.

My Color Defines Me

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:31:04 -0400

This is an excerpt from Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, by Rebecca Walker.

What Does it Feel Like?

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:30:01 -0400

This is an excerpt from Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, by Rebecca Walker.

I Am Not Tragic

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:25:39 -0400

This is an excerpt from Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, by Rebecca Walker.

RAISE Project Helps Women Scientists Win Recognition

Jeffrey Thomas — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:22:06 -0400

The RAISE Project documents the glass ceiling that looms over women in the sciences, technology, engineering and math fields and offers a searchable database on how to apply or to nominate someone for more than 1,000 different awards.

Author Carves Unique Identity from a Mosaic of Family Ethnicities

Sonya Weakley — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:09:49 -0400

After her parents divorced, Rebecca Walker, author of the bestselling memoir on multiracial identity Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, alternated between white Jewish and predominantly African-American cultures. While the ongoing process of shifting identities was difficult, Walker explains in an interview with America.gov how her multicultural experiences shaped her dynamic and inclusive world view.

Arabesque Festival Dazzles U.S. Audiences

Michael Bandler — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:54:27 -0400

Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World, a four-week cultural festival at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is attracting capacity crowds with its generous offerings of theater, dance, music and poetry from all over the Middle East and North Africa.

World War II Black Women’s Army Unit Receives Overdue Honors

Crystal Ofori — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:03:46 -0400

In 1945, 855 African-American women in the Women’s Army Corps were sent to England and France to sort through a huge backlog of undelivered mail destined for U.S. troops in Europe. After the work was done, the women were discharged without any special recognition. In 2009 the recognition finally came.

Movable Exhibit Displays Images of Iranians in Everyday Life

Sonya Weakley — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:04:55 -0400

Feeling compelled to improve the image of Iranians in the minds of Americans, U.S. photographer Tom Loughlin has created a massive outdoor exhibit of portraits of Iranians posing or going about everyday life. “Pictures of You” displays the photographs on large hanging panels of translucent silk.

Players from 16 Countries Will Compete in World Baseball Classic

Ralph Dannheisser — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:32:50 -0400

Star players from 16 countries are ready to represent their native lands in the 2009 renewal of the World Baseball Classic, with China and defending champion Japan set to compete in the first game March 5. Most of the national teams will include players on loan from the U.S. major leagues.

U.S. Football Stars Travel to Nigeria for Humanitarian Mission

Russell Brooks — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:49:35 -0400

For some National Football League stars, the annual Super Bowl game that marks the end of the U.S. football season marks the beginning of a new journey to Africa.

Singer/Composer Stevie Wonder Honored at White House Ceremony

Michael Bandler — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:11:50 -0400

In accepting the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House, music legend Stevie Wonder becomes only the second recipient of the rare, prestigious award. Wonder also joins other artists to perform for President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their guests.

Writers as Changemakers

Keith Ellison — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:52:33 -0400

The first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress says writers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Toni Morrison are among those who shaped his world view.

The Role of Writers in Interracial Understanding

Lea Terhune — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:39:43 -0400

Bernard LaFayette, an educator, minister and veteran civil rights activist, says the election of Barack Obama, the first African-American president of the United States, came about with the help of powerful writers who sought mutual understanding and change.

Milestones in U.S. Women’s History

Louise Fenner — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:03:54 -0400

This timeline features some of the outstanding people and events that moved women’s rights forward.

Re-imagining the Self, Re-imagining America

Andrew Lam — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:13:06 -0400

Vietnam-born American writer Andrew Lam, an editor at New America Media, drew upon opposing ideas of life from many cultures as he sought to determine his American identity. In this contributed article, he examines the “eloquence and imagination” that binds disparate experiences into one that is American.

U.S. Celebrates Women’s Contributions to the World Every March

Louise Fenner — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:39:42 -0400

Each March, National Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions of women to the history and culture of the United States. The 2009 theme is Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet, recognizing the role of women in the “green movement," according to the National Women’s History Project.

The Persian Sensation: “The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám” in the West

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:15:03 -0400

The Harry Ransom Center's exhibition "The Persian Sensation: The 'Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám' in the West" explores how a translation of a Persian poem went from obscurity to celebrity in British and American culture. The exhibition runs from February 3 to August 2, 2009, at the University of Texas in Austin.

Unable to Compete in Iran, U.S. Badminton Players Disappointed

Carolee Walker — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:55:49 -0400

Eight female athletes representing USA Badminton were on their way to compete in a tournament in Iran when they learned their visas would not be ready in time. Although the players were disappointed, they still hope to host the Iranian team at a tournament in California in July.

American Indian History, Culture

Helen I. Rouce, Louise Fenner — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:25:42 -0400

A list of stories on American Indian history, government and culture show how North America’s indigenous peoples continue to enrich the U.S. experience.

Iranian Filmmakers Grab Attention at American Film Festival

Steve Holgate — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:33:28 -0400

Documentaries by two Iranian filmmakers attract favorable attention at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The films provide a window into a world unfamiliar to most Americans, and now the filmmakers are hoping for a wider audience throughout the United States.

Language-Immersion Program Focuses on Teaching Through Play

Peggy B. Hu — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:23:09 -0400

Increasingly, U.S. families are eager to have their children learn languages at an early age. One program, CommuniKids Language School for Children, fulfills this desire by offering total-immersion classes in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic to children just beginning to form their first words.

Artist Offers 21st-Century Interpretations of the American West

Lauren Monsen — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:22:44 -0400

The American West provided a spectacular backdrop to some of the most compelling narratives in the early history of America, which artists and photographers continue to explore. America.gov examines how artist John Nieto is reinterpreting icons of the American West for a 21st century audience.

Secretary Clinton Honors Martin Luther King’s 1959 Trip to India

Louise Fenner — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:22:05 -0400

Several members of a delegation traveling to India to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s visit in 1959 are welcomed to the State Department by Secretary of State Clinton. The late civil rights leader’s son, two congressmen and musician Herbie Hancock are among delegation members.

Legendary Indian Chiefs: Leaders Who Advocated for Their Tribes

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:21:28 -0400

When Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, invited six American Indian chiefs to appear in his 1905 inaugural parade, he expected them to provide “a good show.” They did, but the chiefs came to Washington with a more serious purpose in mind: to advocate on behalf of their people.

Biden Announces Selection of Disability Policy Adviser

Carolee Walker — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:29:55 -0400

The United States is committed to improving conditions for people with disabilities, says Vice President Biden at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Biden also announces the appointment of Kareem Dale as special assistant to the president for disability policy.

Historian Links Roles of Lincoln, Douglass in Advancing Racial Justice

Ralph Dannheisser — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:17:10 -0400

The development of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass from lowly beginnings to greatness was similar and their joint effect on history profound. Harvard historian John Stauffer says that Lincoln and Douglass are “the two pre-eminent self-made men in American history.”

Mauritanian Snowshoers Hit the Snow at Special Olympics

Heather Carlin Fabrikant — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:59:06 -0400

It’s difficult to imagine training for a snowshoeing competition in the balmy, flat capital city of Nouakchott, Mauritania. But coach Eyde Ould Sidi Mohamed is busy preparing his Mauritanian snowshoeing team for the February 2009 Special Olympics in Boise, Idaho.

An Interview with Junot Díaz

Junot Diaz — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:54:31 -0400

Writer Junot Díaz relates what it was like to grow up Dominican American and be a nerd in a tough New Jersey neighborhood.

Mice Make Peace

Lea Terhune — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:32:53 -0400

This is a transcript of an audio sample of storyteller Dovie Thomason.

America ... Pass It On

Lea Terhune — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:23:03 -0400

This is a transcript of “America ... Pass It On,” a song by Rob Quist and Jack W. Gladstone.

Speak to Me Grandma

Lea Terhune — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:04:15 -0400

This is a transcript of Jack W. Gladstone’s song “Speak to Me Grandma,” with introductory remarks by the author.

Writing from a Complex Ethnic Perspective

Persis M. Karim — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:20:19 -0400

Writer Persis M. Karim says the dynamism and possibility essential to the American character both unite the country and allow marginal voices to be heard.

Netting the Clouds

Diana Abu-Jaber — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:08:54 -0400

Diana Abu-Jaber distills the heritages of a lively Jordanian father and a down-to-earth American mother, but it meant confronting “the tension between preserving heritage and embracing the new.”

Additional Resources

Lea Terhune — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:55:19 -0400

Bibliography and filmography for February 2009 eJournal USA, “Multicultural Literature in the United States Today”

Finding Allies in Books

Bich Minh Nguyen — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:10:22 -0400

Icons of literature helped the young Vietnamese immigrant Bich Minh Nguyen learn about American culture and ultimately led her to becoming a writer herself.

Lost City Radio

Daniel Alarcon — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:09:32 -0400

A scene is set for turbulence in a sleepy, fictional Latin American town in this excerpt from Daniel Alarcón’s first novel, Lost City Radio, the theme of which is the plight of “the disappeared” — people abducted by insurgents — and their families.

American Fortune Cookie

Jennifer 8. Lee — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:03:54 -0400

Author Jennifer 8. Lee discovers how the fortune cookie, believed by most Americans to have come from China, is actually a treat that took its current form in America.

Poetic Influences from South Asia

Agha Shahid Ali — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:03:49 -0400

Agha Shahid Ali’s poem “The Dacca Gauzes”

Influences on My Work

Tamim Ansary — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:41:31 -0400

Both ancient and modern storytelling influenced Afghan-American writer Tamim Ansary.

One Indian Writer’s Experience

Akhil Sharma — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:24:18 -0400

India-born Akhil Sharma tells how early influences, including immigration to America, South Asian culture, luck, and Ernest Hemingway, prompted him to become a writer.

Sixty-Nine Cents

Gary Shteyngart — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:49:01 -0400

A trip to Disneyland for a family of Russian immigrants becomes a generational tug-of-war between old and new world food cultures, at least in the mind of the young protagonist of this short story.

New Immigrant Tales

Glenda Carpio — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:29:47 -0400

Scholar Glenda Carpio says Junot Díaz’ breaks new ground in his writing by easily moving between ethnicities and his American identity formed in urban New Jersey.

My Literary Crushes

Lara Vapnyar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:59:10 -0400

As a young girl, Russian-American author Lara Vapnyar counted literary greats among her first loves.

Simple Memories as Poetry

Ofelia Zepeda — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:23:31 -0400

American Indian poet and educator Ofelia Zepeda relates how she finds inspiration for her poetry in childhood memories, events and her native Tohono O’odham language.

Multicultural Literature in the United States Today

Lea Terhune — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:59:49 -0400

About the February 2009 issue of eJournal USA, “Multicultural Literature in the United States Today.”

Rwanda to America

Immaculee Ilibagiza — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:57:46 -0400

Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, tells about immigrating to America and how writing helped her come to terms with her horrific experience and loss while allowing her to fulfill her mission of forgiveness.

Ghost Dog: Or, How I Wrote My First Novel

Randall Kenan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:48:19 -0400

North Carolina ambience and wisps of old legends infuse the work of North Carolina native son Randall Kenan, who writes of how these influences became his great sources.

Pulling Down the Clouds

Ofelia Zepeda — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:36:09 -0400

The importance of rain — and respect for nature — in the dry American Southwest is the subject of American Indian poet Ofelia Zepeda’s poem.

Teaching the Art of Being Human

Lea Terhune — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:02:41 -0400

Storytelling still thrives in American Indian communities today. Two American Indian storytellers, Sunny Dooley and Dovie Thomason, tell how stories teach basic lessons of morality and humaneness.

The Toughest Indian in the World

Sherman Alexie — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:05:52 -0400

Life on the Indian reservation and the relationship between father and son are the themes of these vignettes excerpted from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a short story collection by American Indian writer Sherman Alexie.

Blackfeet Troubadour Sings Traditions

Lea Terhune — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:03:36 -0400

Descendant of a famous Blackfeet chief, Jack Gladstone speaks of how stories enrich human lives and transmit important values.

Literature at the Crossroads

Tayari Jones — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:03:53 -0400

African-American writer Tayari Jones writes that the crossroads is a sacred space where the specific and the universal meet, and where African-American writing happily exists beside the transcendent, universal nature of art.

We Are a Nation of Many Voices

Marie Arana — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:59:50 -0400

Writer Marie Arana says America “glories in diversity,” and that diversity in the United States has resulted in a new, dynamic literature with new kinds of American stories.

The Language of Betrayal

Ha Jin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:40:00 -0400

Chinese-American writer Ha Jin says writing in a second, very different language is both a challenge and a statement — and a way to pursue one’s vision.

What Is African-American Literature?

Gerald Early — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:33:52 -0400

An expert on multicultural American literature and pop culture argues that urban hip-hop literature may signal a new maturity and broadening of African-American writing.

Writing to Bridge the Mixed-Blood Divide

Susan Power — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:26:36 -0400

American Indian author Susan Power tells how, as a young girl, she came to terms with her Dakota Sioux and Anglo heritage with the help of stories spun by her American Indian mother.

Young Belarusian Poets Impress at First English Language Slam

Meghan Loftus — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:27:02 -0400

The written word came alive as young poets from across Belarus participated in the first English Language Youth Poetry Slam on December 10, 2008. The poetry slam is seen as a symbol of free expression, and was held at the American Embassy in Minsk in honor of International Human Rights Day.

Iran Does Not Provide Visas for U.S. Badminton Team

Carolee Walker — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:47:32 -0400

The Iranian consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, did not issue visas to members of the USA Women’s Badminton team in time for them to compete in an international tournament in Tehran, Iran, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood says.

Groundwork for Greatness: Abraham Lincoln to 1854

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:23:23 -0400

The story of Abraham Lincoln has given rise to all manner of fantasies and misinformation. In an attempt to get the facts straight on one of the most well-known Americans, historian Douglas L. Wilson recounts the story of a boy born to humble parents in a frontier cabin who was determined to become that great archetype of this country, the self-made man.

The Words That Moved a Nation

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:20:32 -0400

Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most eloquent presidents in American history. This profile of what are considered his three greatest speeches, his two inaugural addresses and the Gettysburg Address, shows how they evolved from Lincoln’s original thoughts. Indeed, these are perhaps three of the finest in U.S. political history.

What Lincoln Means to Me

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:17:41 -0400

Abraham Lincoln continues to be the ultimate American hero to many Americans, an individual who rose from poverty on the American frontier to the White House. His many manifestations continue to fascinate both Lincoln scholars and average Americans, especially his belief in the common man.

A New Look for Lincoln

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:14:57 -0400

Abraham Lincoln’s face is one of the most established icons in the American monetary system due to his well-known likeness on that most basic of coins, the copper penny. In his bicentennial year, he will finally get a makeover as the U.S. Mint will introduce four Lincoln pennies. The face of the coin will remain but the reverse will feature scenes from Lincoln’s life.

Lincoln as Diplomat

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:09:26 -0400

Diplomatic historian Howard Jones describes an often overlooked part of Lincoln’s presidency, the international pitfalls that Lincoln as a war president needed to prevent diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy from England and other European nations, especially during the war’s crucial first months.

Lincoln as Emancipator

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:06:10 -0400

The debate still continues on whether or not Abraham Lincoln was indeed the Great Emancipator, as his supporters have claimed since his death, or was actually an opportunist — or even a white supremacist — who was far behind the abolitionist movement, and an advocate of black Americans’ voluntary migration.

Path to the White House: Abraham Lincoln From 1854

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:03:07 -0400

This book’s editor, Michael Jay Friedman, lays out issues that confronted Lincoln in his quest for national leadership after 1854, such as free labor and slavery, and political actions, like his series of debates with Illinois senator Stephen A. Douglas, that ultimately propelled him to the White House.

What Abraham Lincoln Means to Americans Today

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:59:48 -0400

With the 2009 Lincoln bicentennial, journalist Andrew Ferguson considers the libraries of Lincoln books, the collectors of Lincoln memorabilia, the actors who present a reenacted Lincoln to the masses, and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington for what they say about Lincoln’s enduring appeal.

Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:47:56 -0400

Historian Peter Cozzens considers the obstacles that President Lincoln had to overcome in developing an effective Union army and a cadre of generals to command it during the first modern total war, one waged not just between armies but between societies, their economic resources, and their own way of life.

Preface

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:07:48 -0400

In 2009, the United States celebrates the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This publication brings together leading historians and asks them to consider Lincoln’s life from different perspectives: young man, lawyer, war leader, diplomat and the embodiment of fundamental American ideals.

Words of Wisdom

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:04:33 -0400

Abraham Lincoln, like another great American, Benjamin Franklin, was a firm believer in practical speaking and in plain old common sense. His comments on living still hold as true today as when he first said them. Also like Franklin, many of these phrases have become part of Americans’ daily language and quite familiar.

Additional Resources

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:29:05 -0400

Abraham Lincoln has generated a small publishing industry since his death. This is a selected representation of important works from noted Lincoln historians along with Internet resources of important Lincoln archives and associations of papers and other material. This list is not meant to be inclusive.

Finding My Own Saffron Sky

Crystal Grace Ofori — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:44:30 -0400

Although I speak English at work and at school, at home I speak Twi; the language of the Ashanti tribe and a language that I have spoken since I was 8. I am proud of being a Ghanaian American, but it wasn’t always that way. Iranian-American Gelareh Asayesh faced these same challenges.

Special Olympics Athletes Set to Compete in 2009 Winter Games

Carolee Walker — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:37:25 -0400

While growing up, athlete Loretta Claiborne remembers, she was told by those around her what she could not do. She says the Special Olympics, which open the 2009 World Winter Games on February 7 in Boise, Idaho, turned her life around.

U.S. Vice Presidency: An Understudy’s Appointment with History

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:51:38 -0400

The U.S. vice presidency, despite being a frequent target of ridicule, has played a significant role in the history of the United States. Presidents in Waiting, a new exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, examines the office and its occupants.

Blogging Identity

Jessica Hilberman — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:33:20 -0400

Satirical blogs such as Stuff White People Like and more analytical Web sites like That Minority Thing are shaping the way people talk about race, view the role of race in their culture, and communicate about their identities. The participatory nature of blogs has changed the Internet, one author says.

Identity in America: Are Perspectives Shifting?

Sonya Weakley — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:11:35 -0400

Multicultural, post-ethnic, post-racial. While these descriptors are debated, most agree that with the possible exception of the American Indian, to be American is to be, genealogically speaking, from somewhere else. During February, America.gov is exploring how the ever-increasing diversity of the U.S. population is affecting the way Americans view themselves.

Black History Month Honors Legacy of Struggle and Triumph

Louise Fenner — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:32:18 -0400

John Fleming, head of black history study group, tells America.gov Black History Month should focus on positive and negative aspects of the black experience. “We were not slaves prior to being captured in Africa, and while slavery was part of our experience … we have a hundred-and-some years in freedom that we also need to deal with.”

Black History Month Links

Louise Fenner — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:51:41 -0400

This document contains links to Web sites related to Black History Month and other online resources.

Landmark Exhibit on Race Asks “Are We So Different?”

Jeffrey Thomas — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:43:47 -0400

Is race real or a recent human invention? Is it about biology or culture? These questions are addressed by RACE: Are We So Different?, a traveling exhibit and related Web site on the history of the idea of race, the science of human variation, and the experience of living with race and racism.

Dreams of Edgar Allan Poe

Michael Jay Friedman — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:26:40 -0400

This essay by a prominent novelist and critic explores the life and career of the 19th-century American author Edgar Allan Poe. Long before Sigmund Freud mapped the “swamps” of the human psyche, Edgar Allan Poe roamed there, his tales and fables as odd and troubling as dreams.

Baltimore Orchestra Performs Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Michael Bandler — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:05:43 -0400

Marin Alsop, artistic director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, is the first woman to lead a major orchestra in the United States. She joins America.gov to discuss a recent musical tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and the emergence of new African-American composers of classical music.

Religious Freedom Day Marks American Tradition of Good Will

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:49:12 -0400

Americans are a religious people, but — consistent with principles in the Constitution — they view faith as a freedom reserved to individuals, regardless of their particular beliefs, and one protected from government interference. Each year, the president proclaims January 16 as Religious Freedom Day.

Americans Urged to Do Volunteer Work on Martin Luther King Day

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:10:19 -0400

President-elect Obama calls on Americans to join his family on Martin Luther King Day in volunteering for a community service project, and to use the holiday as a springboard to an ongoing commitment to their communities. “It’s going to be up to all of us to renew America together,” says Michelle Obama.

Americans Celebrate Achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.

Michael Jay Friedman — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:51:59 -0400

Americans on the third Monday of January honor the life and achievements of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), the 1964 Nobel Peace laureate, a champion of universal justice, and the individual most associated with the triumphs of the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Cask of Amontillado

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:50:25 -0400

This is a transcript of an excerpted reading of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Cask of Amontillado.”

The Black Cat

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:43:37 -0400

This is a transcript of an excerpted reading of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Black Cat.”

The Murders in the Rue Morgue

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:32:17 -0400

Transcript of an excerpt from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”

The Fall of the House of Usher

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:06:56 -0400

This is a transcript of an excerpted reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

The Tell-Tale Heart

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:59:20 -0400

This is a transcript of an excerpted reading of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

On Penning a Verse for the President-elect

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:23:19 -0400

There are a lot of people ready to give poet Elizabeth Alexander advice about the poem she is writing to mark the inauguration of President-elect Barrack Obama. But she says she has created some silence around her and is looking to earlier American poets — Walt Whitman, Gwendolyn Brooks, W.H. Auden and Robert Hayden – as inspiration.

The Masque of the Red Death

Michael Jay Friedman — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:22:20 -0400

This is a transcript of an excerpted reading of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Masque of the Red Death.”

Students’ Tour of Civil Rights Landmarks Is ‘Life-Changing’

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:58:51 -0400

Operation Understanding DC, a program for African-American and Jewish high school students, aims to create community leaders who will fight racism and anti-Semitism. In addition to learning about each other’s religions and cultures, the students travel to New York and the southern United States.

Times Square a Focus of New Year's Eve Festivities

Michael Jay Friedman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:40:04 -0400

Millions of Americans associate New Year’s Eve with New York City’s Times Square. Every year, people crowd Times Square to watch the descent of a giant ball made of crystal and lights that sits atop a pole, while the crowd counts down the seconds and erupts into cheers of Happy New Year at midnight.

Sit-Ins

Susan Doner — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:59:35 -0400

The Gandhian resistance tactic of nonviolent occupation of a public space, or sit-in, was used effectively by United States civil rights activists in the 1960s.

Arrest in Birmingham

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:50:54 -0400

In Birmingham, Alabama, King and the other activists found their perfect foil in police chief Eugene “Bull” Connor, a hot-tempered advocate of violent suppression of civil rights activism. After leading a protest march, King was arrested. Jailed, he drew more national attention for the cause.

Lyndon Baines Johnson

Susan Doner — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:48:20 -0400

When Lyndon Baines Johnson was elevated unexpectedly to the presidency, he placed the full measure of his political skills and powerful personality to work for the passage of landmark civil rights laws.

White Southerners’ Reactions to the Civil Rights Movement

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:38:03 -0400

The civil rights movement altered white southerners’ worlds. While some embraced the prospect of a new interracial land, many more reacted with hostility. They feared social and political change, and grappled uncomfortably with the fact that their way of life seemed gone for good.

Medgar Evers

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:33:18 -0400

Medgar Evers, Mississippi head of the NAACP, was a dynamic leader whose life was cut short by assassination in 1963. His loss at age 37 was a tragic reversal for the civil rights movement, but it galvanized further protest and drew sympathetic federal government concern to his cause.

Civil Rights Workers: Death in Mississippi

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:31:06 -0400

The murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner by a conspiracy of police and Ku Klux Klansmen in Mississippi on June 21, 1964, was one of the pivotal events of the civil rights movement. Only 41 years later was their murderer convicted and sentenced.

Rosa Parks: Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:28:33 -0400

The defiance of one tired woman on her way home from work sparked the political civil rights movement. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama, bus led directly to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which also marked the emergence of Martin Luther King Jr. as a leader of stature.

Jackie Robinson: Breaking the Color Barrier

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:26:19 -0400

Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the previously segregated major leagues of professional baseball, excelled at his craft. He won the respect of teammates and opponents and the hearts of fans and then spoke out as a civil rights activist and served on the NAACP Board of Directors.

Ralph Johnson Bunche: Scholar and Statesman

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:22:50 -0400

The African-American diplomat Ralph Bunche served his nation and the world as a peacemaker, mediator and draftsman of the United Nations Charter. A Nobel laureate for peace, Bunche’s professional achievements demonstrated to all fair-minded people that black Americans could contribute fully to society.

Marcus Garvey: Another Path

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:19:47 -0400

The early 20th century black nationalist, journalist, and skilled media manipulator Marcus Garvey represented one strand of African-American thought. He drew real support, but most blacks would choose instead to fight for equality and full participation in U.S. political and economic life.

SPOTLIGHT: Black Soldiers in the Civil War

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:17:26 -0400

After the Emancipation Proclamation, the Union Army began actively to recruit African-American soldiers. They fought bravely and through their sacrifice asserted their personal dignity and staked a powerful claim for full citizenship. The U.S. military remains an engine of social and economic opportunity.

SPOTLIGHT: The Genius of the Black Church

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:15:24 -0400

The black church helped African Americans survive the harshest forms of oppression and developed a revolutionary appeal for universal communal solidarity. It practiced democracy and supplied the roots for the creative, inclusive and nonviolent 20th century civil rights movement led by Dr. King and others.

The Triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:11:48 -0400

Meaningful federal enforcement of the right to vote equipped African Americans with a major tool to pursue and achieve the American dream. Any number of social and economic markers indicate great progress since the days of segregation, and in 2008 the nation elected its first African-American president.

What the Voting Rights Act Does

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:10:01 -0400

Outline of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Epilogue

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:09:21 -0400

By 1968, with more radical elements gaining in influence, and Dr. King felled by an assassin’s bullet, it appeared to some that the civil rights movement had failed. But already its achievements were beginning to unleash larger forces that would change the nation dramatically, and for the better.

The Voting Rights Act Enacted

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:07:59 -0400

This document summarizes President Johnson’s remarks upon signing into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Bloody Sunday in Selma

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:05:52 -0400

The suppression of a civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, proved a decisive turning point. Increasing numbers witnessed how voting rights had been suppressed. Shortly afterward, President Johnson introduced into Congress the legislation that became the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: The Background

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:03:40 -0400

After the withdrawal of northern armies from the South in 1877, white southern elites re-imposed their political dominance through a number of methods, including violence but also poll taxes and literacy requirements to prevent African Americans from exercising their constitutional right to vote.

The Act’s Powers

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:59:15 -0400

This document summarizes the major provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:45:38 -0400

Although decisions like Brown v. Board of Education established that governments, state governments included, could not discriminate against African Americans or anyone else, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was necessary to address incidents of private discrimination in public places throughout the land.

Changing Politics

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:38:48 -0400

Shifts in party alignments and the emergence of the African-American vote in the northern states as an important constituency block gradually opened new opportunities for a bipartisan coalition to break a Senate filibuster and advance the prospects of civil rights legislation.

“It Cannot Continue”

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:35:10 -0400

The civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and others was the indispensable catalyst for the passage of two new laws of unparalleled importance: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Together these at last firmly established the legal equality of African Americans.

The March on Washington

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:51:31 -0400

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, organized by African-American leaders, was the largest political demonstration the nation had ever seen. It was there that Dr. King offered his famous “I Have a Dream” address, considered by many the finest oration ever delivered by an American.

“We Have a Movement”

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:47:14 -0400

The violent response — including the use of fire hoses and snarling police dogs — against nonviolent civil rights protestors, many of them children, horrified the nation. Local business leaders demanded a settlement, and, in the White House, President Kennedy declared his disgust.

“We Have A Movement”

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:44:20 -0400

The successful boycott of segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama, transformed the civil rights cause into a mass political movement.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:43:11 -0400

While in jail, King produced a timeless defense of the right to break an unjust law to arouse a community’s conscience — provided one is prepared to accept the penalty. By going to jail, King led by example even as he displayed faith that in America the cause of freedom necessarily would prevail.

The Albany Movement

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:36:29 -0400

A civil rights campaign in Albany, Georgia, did not achieve success. The police chief there understood that news media coverage of segregationist violence would aid the protestors and he accordingly deprived the civil rights activists of a media moment. King and other leaders learned important lessons.

The Brown Decision

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:32:54 -0400

In 1954, Thurgood Marshall’s team of NAACP lawyers achieved their greatest victory. In the Brown v. Board of Education case, the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the “separate but equal” doctrine that underlay racial segregation in the South was unconstitutional.

“Tired of Giving In”: The Montgomery Bus Boycott

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:31:39 -0400

Rosa Parks’ refusal to vacate her Montgomery, Alabama, bus seat for a white man sparked the civil rights cause into a mass political movement. The subsequent bus boycott marked the emergence of Martin Luther King Jr., the indispensable leader who inspired millions to mobilize nonviolently to advocate change.

Freedom Rides

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:58:07 -0400

Freedom riders asserted their right, guaranteed by the Supreme Court, to ride on desegregated interstate buses. Despite violent responses they adhered to their principles of nonviolence, attracted national publicity, and shamed the federal government into enforcing the integration of interstate transportation.

Thurgood Marshall: Mr. Civil Rights

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:00:31 -0400

Charles Hamilton Houston’s leading student, Thurgood Marshall, carried his teacher’s legal strategy for overturning legal segregation to a successful conclusion. Marshall won 29 cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board, and later served as the first African-American Supreme Court justice.

Charles Hamilton Houston: The Man Who Killed Jim Crow

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:55:38 -0400

Howard Law School Dean Charles Hamilton Houston built a skilled cadre of African-American and white lawyers dedicated to challenging in court the “separate but equal” doctrine that justified legal segregation. It was Houston’s strategy that led to the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:50:20 -0400

Attorneys like Charles Hamilton Houston and his student Thurgood Marshall launched the legal challenges culminating in Brown v. Board of Education that assured that political civil rights champions like Martin Luther King would have the force of law on their side in their struggles.

The Underground Railroad

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:38:07 -0400

Free blacks and northern abolitionists joined forces in an effort, known as the Underground Railroad, to help escaped slaves find their way northward to freedom. Its most famous “conductor,” Harriet Tubman, herself an escaped slave, so rescued some 300 slaves, including her own sister, brother, and parents.

The American Civil War

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:33:18 -0400

Although the sectional conflict between north and south had a number of causes, it was grounded in the dispute over slavery. Northern victory in the Civil War of 1861–65 ensured both an end to slavery in the United States and the introduction of (often dishonored) legal safeguards for African American rights.

The Rebellious John Brown

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:29:16 -0400

The white abolitionist John Brown took up arms against slavery, hoping through raids against Kansas slaveowners and the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, (now West Virginia) to spark a wider slave rebellion. Captured and executed, Brown became a martyr to the abolitionist cause.

By the Sword

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:22:05 -0400

African-American slaves on several occasions took up arms against their masters, most notably in Virginia in 1831, when a slave named Nat Turner led an unsuccessful rebellion. It was suppressed and Turner was executed, but slave rebellions reflected a determination among slaves to gain their freedom.

The Pen of Frederick Douglass

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:34:49 -0400

Frederick Douglass, the leading black abolitionist, escaped from slavery and emerged as a major journalist, publisher, and champion of liberty. In addition to African-American equality, he campaigned for women’s rights and for the postwar constitutional amendments that abolished slavery in the United States.

A Land of Liberty?

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:30:33 -0400

Slavery divided Americans from their very first day of independence. Facing a political imperative of maintaining sectional unity, the nation chose to paper over those differences, adopting a Constitution and other arrangements that permitted slavery in the South and some newly admitted states.

“Three-Fifths of Other Persons”: A Promise Deferred

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:27:06 -0400

Overview of the abolitionist movement, the Civil War, and the failure of Reconstruction

Family Bonds

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:21:39 -0400

Slaves’ tight family bonds provided a source of strength. Slave masters could, and often did, split up families. But many slave families remained intact, and many scholars have noted the “remarkable stability, strength, and durability of the nuclear family under slavery.”

W.E.B. Du Bois: The Push for Political Agitation

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:19:26 -0400

The social scientist and political thinker W.E.B. Du Bois disagreed with Booker T. Washington’s emphasis on practical economic skills, arguing instead for political action to achieve full and equal civil rights for African Americans. He was instrumental in the founding of the NAACP.

Booker T. Washington: The Quest for Economic Independence

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:17:03 -0400

As African Americans considered responses to legal segregation, many followed the path blazed by Booker T. Washington, who argued for prioritizing black economic development. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute taught practical skills with an eye toward building a powerful claim for real equality.

Slave Life and Institutions

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:16:32 -0400

Introduction to Free At Last: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement

Slavery Takes Hold

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:12:58 -0400

Although the first African slaves arrived in British North America during the 17th century, it was only during the 18th century that economic developments and technological advances like the cotton gin encouraged the growth and spread of slave labor in the American South.

The Advent of “Jim Crow”

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:10:20 -0400

After the failure of Reconstruction, state governments throughout the South adopted segregationist laws mandating separation of the races in nearly every aspect of everyday life. In its 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the “separate but equal” doctrine.

A Global Phenomenon Transported to America

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:09:09 -0400

Man has enslaved his fellow man since prehistoric times. This excerpt from Free At Last: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement outlines the prevalence of slavery in different epochs and in different parts of the world, including the Atlantic slave trade that first brought Africans to North America.

Slavery Spreads to America: Introduction

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:04:28 -0400

Introduction to Free At Last: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement

Congressional Reconstruction

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:01:35 -0400

After the Civil War, the northern-dominated Congress adopted over the opposition of President Andrew Johnson strong measures, which, along with new constitutional amendments, established the rights of the new “freedmen.” Congress even impeached Johnson (he was narrowly acquitted) to overcome his opposition.

Temporary Gains… and Reverses

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:57:50 -0400

African Americans achieved real gains during the decade when northern troops enforced Reconstruction laws. But once northern determination waned, white southerners reversed those gains, often by means of violence, setting the stage for the introduction of legal segregation in the American South.

Masthead

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:57:07 -0400

Masthead for Free At Last: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

“Separate but Equal”

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:53:36 -0400

After the Civil War, northerners’ determination to support blacks’ aspirations gradually ebbed as their desire for reconciliation with the South deepened. By the end of the 19th century, southern elites had reversed many black gains and imposed an oppressive system of legal segregation.

The Selma-to-Montgomery March

Susan Doner — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:11:32 -0400

By March 21, 1965, thousands of Americans from all walks of life began to assemble in Selma for the third Selma-to- Montgomery march. The march lasted 5 days and covered 87-kilometers. The route they followed is today a National Historic Trail.

U.S. Baseball Team Signs First Indian Players

Paul Levitan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:21:27 -0400

Two budding pitchers from Uttar Pradesh are the first Indian-born athletes signed by a major U.S. sports team. Until a year ago, neither player had even heard of baseball. Now, after winning a televised contest, Rinku Singh, 20, and Dinesh Kumar Patel, 19, have been signed to a U.S. professional contract.

Passion for Baseball Used in Dominican Republic Development Plan

Eric Green — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:53:47 -0400

The Dominican Development Alliance, an agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Major League Baseball, aims to tap into the passion for baseball to help young people in the Dominican Republic “get an education and do well in life,” says a USAID official.

Americans Celebrate Christmas with Many Traditions

Michael Jay Friedman, Louise Fenner — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:57:09 -0400

Americans, like many of the world’s peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances, and these have changed greatly over time. Other holidays celebrated at roughly the same time of year — such as the African-American Kwanzaa and the Jewish Hanukkah —blend into a broader “holiday season.”

Retired Teacher Builds Hope in Central African Republic Village

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:20:07 -0400

Micheline Mbathas, a retired teacher in the Central African Republic, which is the subject of intense United Nations efforts to end violent attacks by rebel groups and bandits, decided to build a school for a village where children had no access to education. Now, she is working to build a hospital.

Introduction

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:45:48 -0400

Introduction to the book Muslim Life in America, published by the Bureau of International Information Programs.

Muslims in America: 1957–2007

Susan Doner — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:58:33 -0400

Muslims in America: 1957–2007 is adapted from the U.S. Department of State’s publication Being Muslim in America. It documents important historic milestones for Muslims in America since 1957, beginning with the dedication of the Islamic Center of Washington.

Muslims in America: 1619–1934

Meghan Loftus — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:54:37 -0400

Muslims in America: A Timeline is adapted from the U.S. Department of State’s publication Being Muslim in America. It documents important historic milestones for Muslims in America, beginning in the 17th century and continuing through 1934, when the first building built specifically to be a mosque was established.

Building a Life in America

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:08:49 -0400

Muslims in America participate fully and freely in every aspect of American civic and cultural life. They hail originally from many parts of the world, and each individual embraces his or her own blend of traditional Islamic and contemporary American customs. Their stories are both remarkable and quintessentially American.

Muslims in America – A Statistical Portrait

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:02:48 -0400

This statistical portrait of explores the geographic, age, and gender distribution of Muslims in the United States. It supplies data about level of education, annual household income, Muslim-American ethnicity, and describes the geographic distribution of mosques in the United States.

Christmas Reflects America’s Diversity

Louise Fenner, Kathy Spiegel — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:57:30 -0400

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Nyla Hashmi and Fatima Monkush

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:46:41 -0400

Fashion designers Nyla Hashimi and Fatima Monkush design chic clothing that offers women a way to dress both modestly and fashionably. They aim to fill a need in the clothing industry by establishing their own clothing label. Their objective is to become “the biggest and best in what we’re doing.”

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Television Journalist Kiran Khalid

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:39:02 -0400

Television journalist Kiran Khalid was the first Pakistani-American woman in U.S. broadcast news. A member of the South Asian Journalists Association and an accomplished documentarian, she has reported from many parts of the world and now is a producer on the nationally telecast Good Morning America program.

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Songwriter Kareem Salama

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:19:29 -0400

Egyptian-American Kareem Salama writes and performs songs and lyrics that fuse his experience as a Muslim American with sounds harkening to the bluegrass roots music from the Appalachian region of the southeastern United States. He also is a law school graduate pursuing a career as an attorney.

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Businessman Moose Scheib

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:49:17 -0400

Lebanese-American Moose Scheib arrived in the United States at the age of 7. After a successful stint as an attorney at a major New York law firm, Scheib founded his own company, LoanMod, which renegotiates home mortgages to avoid foreclosures. He has helped thousands of families save their homes.

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Filmmaker Lena Khan

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:39:17 -0400

Award-winning filmmaker Lena Khan makes movies about social issues and considers social activism an important tenet of her Muslim faith. Her short features, popular on YouTube, dispel popular myths and debunk stereotypes. Khan also has filmed commercials. She says movies are the best way to tell a story.

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Imam Khalid Latif

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:21:54 -0400

Imam Khalid Latif has achieved important leadership responsibilities as a chaplain at New York University’s Islamic Center and for the New York Police Department. He is active in interfaith and charitable activities and offers sermons via a successful podcast that reaches 40 to 50 countries.

Young Muslims Make Their Mark: Artist Heba Amin

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:51:13 -0400

Muslim-American artist Hebe Amin’s portraits of Bedouin women, three-dimensional installation art depicting city structures and illustrations of extraordinary Muslim women has met with critical success. She values the American freedoms that afford her the opportunity to express her ideas.

“I Am an American With a Muslim Soul”

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:24:29 -0400

One Muslim American calls himself “an American with a Muslim soul.” He attributes this identify to an American genius that allows people from every part of the world to offer their distinctive contributions to the American tradition. He identifies an American ethos that combines tolerance and reverence.

Exhibit Showcases Crèches from Around the World

Meghan Loftus — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:51:13 -0400

Visitors to the National Cathedral in Washington will find a display of 500 Nativity sets from around the globe, including from Kenya, Finland, Israel, Panama, Sri Lanka, Portugal and Burkina-Faso. The exhibit shows that the materials used for the crèches are as diverse as the styles.

Music Across America

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:39:21 -0400

From the streets of New York City to the mountains of Colorado and the coast of California, the United States is alive with music festivals throughout the summer months. Hundreds of festivals draw millions of Americans -- and foreign visitors -- each year to listen to their favorite type of music.

Touring the United States

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:38:03 -0400

When Americans go on vacation, they have thousands of places to choose from without leaving the United States. These popular tourist spots reflect the nation’s history and culture. Some popular spots include Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the Gateway Arch in Missouri.

Life in the Neighborhood

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:10:41 -0400

Neighborhoods give people a sense of place, an identity that extends beyond self and family. Neighborhoods are a mosaic of the country’s ethnic, religious, economic, and technological history, and they are enriched by libraries and cultural activities.

The Many Faces of American Communities

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:59:03 -0400

Communities in the United States reflect the geographic, political, religious, racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of the nation. What makes a group a community is a sense of shared values or a unity of purpose. Its success depends on the willingness of its members to work together to achieve a common goal.

Protecting Workers

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:43:48 -0400

U.S. laws that provide protections for workers are products of the nation’s founding principles as a capitalist democracy. The nation’s founders envisioned a government that serves the people yet does not infringe upon enterprises producing innovation and prosperity.

At Work

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:28:55 -0400

About 153 million people in the United States go to work or look for work every day, the largest labor force in the world behind China’s and India’s. They reflect a deep-seated feeling in the United States that work is of value to who we are and what we contribute to our community.

The Sound of Music in Schools

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:12:37 -0400

Music is an important feature of youth culture, but most public school music programs are more brass band than hip-hop. Music teachers strive to protect their subject from budget cuts; research shows music education does work to enhance a variety of creative and communicative skills.

Breakthroughs for Humanity

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:57:04 -0400

The California-based X Prize Foundation is tantalizing the world’s inventors and innovators with millions of dollars in prize money to encourage great new discoveries. The foundation is an educational, nonprofit institute devoted to motivating entrepreneurial people to achieve breakthroughs.

Government Close to the People

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:53:40 -0400

Almost 7,400 Americans serve as legislators in state governments. They determine differing laws for each of their 50 states, while thousands more elected officials in counties, cities and towns ensure that vital services such as water, police protection and garbage collection are delivered.

Americans at Play

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:51:19 -0400

Americans head in many directions to find what makes us happy in the 21st century. It may be up mountains, down trails, to raucous arenas or to hushed performance halls, or perhaps to pursue a hobby we’ve invented ourselves. Research shows that physical activity and recreation are good for the body and mind.

At School

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:49:11 -0400

The United States has defined its values and purpose as a free democratic nation in its schools. It was the first nation to establish universal free public education as a national goal in the 19th century. Education in all its aspects has remained a central preoccupation of American society ever since.

Two Education Revolutions

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:46:50 -0400

Two revolutions in U.S. public education set major social changes in motion. A 1954 court decision advanced racial integration in the schools with broader social impact. Legislation to provide assistance for returning military veterans gave greater access to higher education to a diverse population.

Preserving Land for All to Enjoy

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:44:14 -0400

National, state and local parks are an important part of recreation in the United States. National parks comprise more than 33 million acres, while the states maintain close to 6,000 parks, all offering recreation for visitors while also preserving natural spaces.

A Teacher’s First Year

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:42:09 -0400

A first-year teacher in a suburban school district describes the joys and challenges of his work in a multi-ethnic classroom, where many students also try to learn English. He finds rewards in creating a positive, safe learning environment where students take risks in order to learn.

Learning About American Life

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:39:52 -0400

A range of programs allow foreign students to come to the United States, but all provide opportunities for young people from other countries to participate in the varied experiences of U.S. academic and home life. Students from Iraq and Tajikistan describe their experiences in U.S. homes and schools.

One Head, One Body, One Mind

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:44:54 -0400

The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations was a code of governance adopted by five Indian tribes in the late 1400s. The constitution of these Indian tribes outlined principles for a republican, representative form of government before white Europeans came to the new land.

As Citizens

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:20:54 -0400

Americans engage in many activities and responsibilities to be good citizens. They vote and are engaged in the democratic process, but they also pick up trash in the park, tutor children after school, visit the elderly in nursing homes, or devote part of their income to a worthy cause.

Young Voters Storm the Polls

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:56:40 -0400

A historical pattern of low voter turnout among young people is reversing in this decade. The nonprofit advocacy group Rock the Vote deserves some of the credit for boosting young voter participation. So does Kids Voting, which works to educate children about the responsibilities of casting a ballot.

As a Nation

Charlene Porter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:51:55 -0400

The intent to build a nation where government serves the people is known as the American experiment. The opening essay of Sketchbook USA examines how that experiment progresses in a new millennium.

Kennedy Center Awards Recognize Excellence in Performing Arts

Michael Bandler — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:13:54 -0400

The annual Kennedy Center Honors recognize top contributors to the performing arts. In 2008, honorees include two founding members of a U.K. rock band, a groundbreaking dancer, a country singer, a stage-film actor and a singer-actress-film director.

The Mask of Lincoln: Images of an Enduring Mystery

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:31:32 -0400

Abraham Lincoln’s elusive nature — and the qualities that enabled him to steer his nation through the Civil War are the central focus of a new exhibit in Washington. The exhibit offers rare photos and other objects that bring visitors tantalizingly close to a figure who seems always to hover just out of reach.

United States Committed to Worldwide Cultural Preservation

Yvette Ridenour — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:02:45 -0400

Every year, a U.S. program known as the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation helps preserve and restore priceless artifacts in countries around the world, ensuring that ancient treasures will not be lost to future generations. Since 2001, the fund has supported cultural heritage projects in 120 countries.

Song by Iranian Star Strikes Chord at Obama Victory Celebration

Sonya Weakley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:29:40 -0400

A song that Persian pop star Farshid Amin wrote about change caught the eyes and ears of the Democratic Party in Orange County, California. Obama campaign organizers invited the singer to perform “Pray with Me,” written after an unexpected meeting on an airplane, at the party’s election night celebration.

Hispanic Heritage Month Links

Louise Fenner — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:55:21 -0400

This document contains links to Web sites related to Hispanic Heritage Month and other online resources.

Kids Celebrate Diversity and Tolerance by “Mixing It Up” at Lunch

Jeffrey Thomas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:55:07 -0400

Recently, millions of students in thousands of schools and universities in the United States and other countries celebrated diversity and tolerance by eating lunch at a table where they don’t usually sit. Mix It Up at Lunch Day is part of a campaign to encourage students to question and cross social boundaries.

Did You Know?

Michael Jay Friedman — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:13:15 -0400

This photo gallery illustrates facts and figures about American Muslims.

New U.S. Coin Series to Honor American Indians

Louise Fenner — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:17:44 -0400

Contributions made by American Indians to the history and culture of the United States will be celebrated on a new series of $1 coins beginning early in 2009. The coins are a redesign of the Sacagawea dollar first issued in 2000 and will feature new images on the back of that dollar each year.

Decking the Halls of America’s Most Famous Residence

Meghan Loftus — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:02:43 -0400

The holidays have arrived at the White House. First Lady Laura Bush officially announces the decorative scheme for her eighth and final holiday season in the famous residence on December 3. The theme is “A Red, White, and Blue Christmas,” reflecting the colors of the American flag.

Baseball Plays Key Role in State Department Public Diplomacy

Paul Levitan — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:50:18 -0400

Ken Griffey Jr. joins the ranks of baseball greats in the U.S. public diplomacy effort. “When Ken Griffey travels overseas, one of his greatest objectives will be to talk to young people and to spark their interest in America and in our culture,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.

American Indian Heritage Month Links

Louise Fenner — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:59:31 -0400

This document contains links to Web sites related to American Indian Heritage Month and other online resources.

Baseball’s Cal Ripken Jr. and Dennis Martinez Visit Nicaragua

Paul Levitan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:21:50 -0400

American Public Diplomacy Envoy Cal Ripken Jr. was joined by his former Baltimore Orioles teammate, Nicaragua’s own Dennis Martinez, on a trip to Managua and Martinez’s hometown of Granada. There, the U.S. baseball stars worked with coaches and players on improving their game.

Thanksgiving Day a Time for Reflection, Gratitude, Sharing

Michael Jay Friedman, Louise Fenner — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:34:54 -0400

Thanksgiving Day in the United States, the fourth Thursday in November, is possibly the premier U.S. family celebration — typically celebrated at home and marked with a substantial feast. Many Americans also take time to prepare and serve meals to the needy at churches, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

White House Ceremony Honors Cultural Award Recipients

Michael Bandler — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:09:33 -0400

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush salute the recipients of the 2008 National Medals of Arts and 2008 National Humanities Medals, the most prestigious cultural honors in the United States. Legendary actress Olivia de Havilland, 92, is among the honorees.

New Jordanian Movie Makes History

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:23:11 -0400

Writer-director Amin Matalqa was in Washington to talk about his first movie, Captain Abu Raed. The movie is also a first for Jordan — its first movie in 50 years and its first submission to the Academy Awards. The film was screened as part of the Arabian Sights Film Festival on November 1 and 2.

Artist Fritz Scholder Redefined Native American Art

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:22:18 -0400

Fritz Scholder: Indian/Not Indian, a new exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, examines the career and legacy of a groundbreaking artist whose work mirrored the complexities and contradictions of Native American identity.

Veterans Day Honors Those Who Served in U.S. Military

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:20:32 -0400

The November 11 holiday created to pay tribute to U.S. veterans of World War I was expanded into the annual Veterans Day, honoring all those who have served in the U.S. military. Recognition of those who fought in World War II and in Vietnam will be a major part of observances across the country.

Laws Reflect Changing Status of American Indians in U.S. History

Peggy B. Hu — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:23:29 -0400

The history of U.S. legislation regarding American Indians reveals changing societal attitudes on their status -- from members of fully sovereign nations, to dependents of the U.S. government, to holders of a quasi dual-citizenship. Here are some significant laws affecting American Indians:

U.S. Honors Contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives

Louise Fenner — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:31:16 -0400

There are nearly 5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1.6 percent of the U.S. population. Each November, National American Indian Heritage Month pays tribute to the first Americans and celebrates their enduring contributions to the history and culture of the United States.

United States Respects Indian Tribes' Right to Self-Determination

Peggy B. Hu and Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:19:15 -0400

Many people are puzzled when they hear the U.S. president use such phrases as “government-to-government basis with tribal governments,” “tribal sovereignty” or “self-determination” for American Indians. American Indian tribes are considered "domestic dependent nations" within the United States.

Afghan Radio Broadcaster Committed to Raising Status of Women

Sonya Weakley — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:54:10 -0400

An Afghan businesswoman who recently visited the United States will use the knowledge she gained to expand her radio station, which focuses on raising the status of women in Balkh province. During the trip, she received advice and got a firsthand view of the latest broadcasting equipment and technology.

U.S. Children, Adults Celebrate Halloween

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:05:32 -0400

While not an official holiday, the traditional October 31 Halloween celebration is much beloved by children in the United States, for whom the day is a chance to don costumes and to collect candy and other treats from adults. Many adults also celebrate the occasion by attending costume parties.

Artist Finds Unexpected Opportunity at the U.S. Mint

Meghan Loftus — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:53:38 -0400

Joseph Menna, a medallic sculptor at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, is a classically trained artist. His drawing of George Washington was the model for one of the first presidential $1 coins. He talks with America.gov about his career path, his artistic endeavors and the coin production process.

“Redeem Team” Brings Back U.S. Basketball Glory

Paul Levitan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:23:52 -0400

In the Beijing Olympics the U.S. men’s basketball team earned its Redeem Team nickname, returning the Olympic gold medal to the United States. The U.S. team’s excellent play has engendered many comparisons of this Redeem Team to the original 1992 Dream Team.

U.S. State Department Launches Iraq Cultural Heritage Project

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:24:37 -0400

First lady Laura Bush announces the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, an effort by the U.S. Department of State to help Iraqis conserve and protect their country’s priceless historic artifacts. In her remarks, Mrs. Bush emphasizes the antiquity of Iraqi civilization, whose roots can be traced to the Bronze Age.

New Exhibition Celebrates Women Who Challenged and Changed U.S.

Meghan Loftus — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:57:50 -0400

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery unveils its newest exhibition, Women of Our Time: Twentieth-Century Photographs, on October 10. It features 90 photographs of women activists, artists, and athletes, and many others, who have made significant contributions to American life.

Protections for America’s Disabled Workers Expanded Under New Law

Louise Fenner — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:37:47 -0400

President Bush signed a law on September 25 the ADA Amendments Act, which restores workplace protections that had eroded as a result of several Supreme Court decisions issued since the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The new law expands the population eligible for protection under the ADA.

Columbus Day Commemorates Explorer’s Arrival in New World

Suzanne Dawkins, Louise Fenner — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:36:04 -0400

Columbus Day, the annual U.S. commemoration of explorer Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World in 1492, is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Columbus Day is also a celebration of Italian and Italian-American cultural heritage, Columbus generally being considered a native of Genoa, Italy.

Ukrainian Famine Exhibit Re-examines Harrowing Loss of 1932–1933

Leah Dow — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:24:39 -0400

An exhibit at the State Department commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor, the 1932-33 famine in Soviet Ukraine precipitated by policies of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. “The Holodomor is an extraordinarily sad chapter in human history, all the more tragic because it was man-made,” says a State Department official.

Increase in American Soccer Players Bolsters Professional League

Paul Levitan — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:43:56 -0400

Soccer in America is growing in popularity. Major League Soccer, a North American league with consistent game attendance and a committed fan base, as well as increasing television ratings, is approaching profitability — something its predecessor, the North American Soccer League, was never able to do.

Diversity Rocks in South Africa

Phillip Kurata — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:26:43 -0400

Seven musicians from Los Angeles show that diversity and unity coexist — among band members, among a country’s citizens and among musical styles. At a concert in Pretoria, South Africa, they get an enthusiastic reaction to their own blend of rock, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, cumbia and salsa.

Artist Heba Amin Explores Her Egyptian Heritage in America

Howard Cincotta and Deborah Conn — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:03:37 -0400

Contemporary artist Heba Amin, 28, has been drawing for as long as she can remember, but pursuing art full-time did not occur to her until she was a junior in college. At the time, Amin, who now lives in Minneapolis, was a math major and first envisioned herself as an architect.

Afghan American Gives Back to His Family’s Homeland

Howard Cincotta and Deborah Conn — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:01:15 -0400

Joseph Osman has packed a lot of accomplishments into his 25 years. He graduated from college in three years and earned a master’s in business administration, but found the corporate life not to be his calling. Osman soon found himself in Afghanistan helping to alleviate the deep poverty he found there.

2010 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 2, 2008

Louise Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:07:56 -0400

Each year the U.S. government makes 50,000 permanent residency visas (“green cards”) available through the Diversity Immigrant Visa program. These are awarded to qualified applicants by lottery. Registration for the 2010 Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2010) will be held October 2 to December 1, 2008.

Diversity Visa Applicants Must Meet Eligibility Requirements

Louise Fenner — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:27:19 -0400

The State Department holds an annual lottery to select applicants for 50,000 diversity immigrant visas. The DV-2010 lottery for fiscal year 2010 is October 2 to December 1, 2008. Lottery entrants should know that diversity visas are available only to persons who meet the eligibility requirements.

Thousands Flock to the National Mall to Celebrate Reading

Meghan Loftus — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:20:46 -0400

The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall each year. The 2008 festival featured more than 70 authors and illustrators from many different literary genres. James Billington, the 13th librarian of Congress, welcomed participants to “celebrate our shared love of reading” on America’s front lawn.

Lebanese American Saves Families from Losing Their Homes

Howard Cincotta — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:07:53 -0400

Moose Scheib excelled in his studies and landed a job at a top law firm. One day, he was able to walk into the restaurant where his mother worked as a cook and tell her she would never have to work again. Today Scheib heads a company that has saved thousands of families from losing their homes.

Navajo Healers, Sand Paintings Keep Tribal Traditions Alive

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:54:22 -0400

The Navajo people of the southwestern United States follow the Navajo Way, a spiritual code that relies on traditional healers, chants and sand paintings to emphasize the importance of restoring balance and harmony with nature. Navajo medicine people serve not only as healers but as historians for the tribe.

Muslim Designers Create Clothes That Combine Fashion with Modesty

Howard Cincotta and Deborah Conn — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:07:31 -0400

Nyla Hashmi and Fatima Monkush grew up best friends in Hartford, Connecticut. Both have Muslim fathers from South Asia and American mothers who converted to Islam. And now, both are committed to designing chic clothing that offers Muslim women a way to dress both modestly and fashionably.

Women’s Professional Soccer Starts in 2009 in United States

Paul Levitan — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:52:17 -0400

With the start of the Women’s Professional Soccer league in early 2009, women across the world again will have an opportunity to realize their professional football dreams. Seven teams will compete in the inaugural 2009 season. The WPS plans to add three more teams in 2010.

Imam Khalid Latif Builds Communities of Faith and Diversity

Howard Cincotta — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:08:31 -0400

At age 25, Imam Khalid Latif already has achieved important leadership responsibilities as director of the Islamic Center at New York University and as a chaplain for the New York Police Department. Both are “American institutions with growing Muslim populations who are trying to find their way,” he says.

Songwriter Kareem Salama Combines Muslim Faith and Country Music

Howard Cincotta — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:07:04 -0400

Kareem Salama grew up in Oklahoma, where country music is a soundtrack to daily life. But he also grew up in a devout Muslim household. When he started writing and singing his own songs, he combined a sensibility rooted in his Muslim faith with a compelling voice and a distinctive Southern accent.

TV Journalist Kiran Khalid Covers News from Texas to Pakistan

Howard Cincotta — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:06:30 -0400

As a kid, Kiran Khalid says, she sat inside a cardboard box facing outward — “so that I was literally in a TV.” Since then, Khalid has pursued a career as a television journalist and producer that has taken her from local news reporting to covering major national and international news events.

Paralympian Jeff Glasbrenner Is Optimistic About Future

Jamie M. Blanchard — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:56:35 -0400

Jeff Glasbrenner, a basketball player who lost part of a leg as a child due to a farming accident, talks about how the injury has brought him many opportunities he otherwise would not have encountered. Glasbrenner is competing at the 2008 Paralympics and at the 2008 Ironman World Triathlon Championship.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Suzanne Dawkins — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:22:04 -0400

Hispanic Heritage Month honors the diverse people of Spanish-speaking backgrounds in the United States. From September 15 to October 15, a multitude of special programs, events, exhibits and Web sites celebrate the heritage, culture, spirit and extraordinary contributions of Hispanic Americans.

Paralympics Bring Opportunity for Champion Cycler

Paul Levitan — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:57:39 -0400

Greta Neimanas was born without an arm below her elbow. That hasn’t prevented her from excelling in sports. Neimanas competed in the 2008 Paralympic Games in cycling and credits her success to hard work, not natural talent.

Latin Jazz Stamp Brightens Up Hispanic Heritage Month

Louise Fenner — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:52:42 -0400

The U.S. Postal Service has issued more than 50 commemorative stamps celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. They are often issued to complement National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Little League Baseball Aims to Blend Fun, Character Development

Ralph Dannheisser — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:50:43 -0400

A group of youngsters from Waipahu, Hawaii, traveled more than 7,500 kilometers to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to realize the dream of winning the Little League World Series. More than 2.3 million ballplayers in six age-based divisions participate in more than 7,000 leagues spread across scores of countries.

2008 Paralympic Games to Begin in Beijing

Alexandra Abboud — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:39:24 -0400

4,000 Paralympic athletes have traveled to Beijing from 140 countries to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17. Athletes will compete for over 470 gold medals in 20 sports including rowing, which will appear in the Paralympic program for the first time.

Young Muslim Sees Running Family Business as His “Life’s Journey”

Louise Fenner — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:22:17 -0400

Imran Uddin, 31, left a career in advertising five years ago to take over Madani Halal Lamb, Goat & Poultry, the business founded by his father, Riaz, 73, in Queens, New York. Imran discusses his struggles to take over the family business in 2003 and forge his own identity as an American Muslim.

U.S. Muslims Observe Ramadan in Supportive Environment

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:17:38 -0400

Muslims in the United States typically observe Ramadan and fulfill their other religious obligations with the encouragement and support of non-Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbors.

Labor Day Marks Appreciation of U.S. Workers

Michael J. Friedman — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:47:04 -0400

Labor Day, celebrated in the United States on the first Monday of each September, is the nation's official commemoration of its workers' contributions to national strength, prosperity and well-being. It also marks the unofficial end of summer. America’s labor force is 154.5 million people strong (May 2008).

U.S. Embassy in Beijing Honors American and Chinese Art

Yvette Ridenour — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:57:52 -0400

A new, permanent art collection at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing highlights the work of American and Chinese artists who find their inspiration in nature -- and in the fusion of Asian and Western cultural traditions. Their work transcends time, place, culture and philosophy, says the collection’s curator.

Religious Rites of Passage Are Steps Toward Adulthood

Sonya Weakley — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:55:38 -0400

Religious rites of passage, such as Jewish bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, Protestant baptisms, and Catholic first communions and confirmations, are important milestones in people’s lives that indicate something has changed. They also bring together family and friends who otherwise might not see each other.

Mexican-American Olympic Wrestler Wins Gold

Paul Levitan — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:37:38 -0400

Mexican-American Henry Cejudo won Olympic gold in wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After overcoming a disadvantaged background, supported by his mother, he said winning the gold is “living the American dream.”

Religious Freedom Laws Help Create Culture of Tolerance

Louise Fenner — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:17:16 -0400

An openness to immigration and laws protecting religious freedom helped create the conditions for religious tolerance in the United States, according to R. Scott Hanson, an expert on immigration, religion and urban issues in America who has researched religious diversity in Flushing, New York.

What’s next for Michael Phelps?

Paul Levitan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:31:07 -0400

In terms of medals, Michael Phelps became the greatest Olympian of all time this week. He will leave Beijing with a total of 14 career golds -- a record eight of those earned in a single Olympics (seven in world-record time). Although Phelps is done competing here, his Olympic career isn't finished.

Sports Come and Go from the Olympics

Kelly Bronk — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:49:19 -0400

Throughout Olympic history, many unusual sports like tug of war, croquet and jeu de paume have been contested at the games. There are two main criteria for a sport to be eligible for inclusion: It must have an international association or governing body, and the sport must be practiced widely by men and women around the world.

The Demographics of Faith

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:56:53 -0400

The United States is a nation of religious minorities, drawn here by constitutional protections for free practice of religion. Protestant Christianity has been the dominant religion, but its majority is slipping as immigration boosts the numbers of other religious groups in the demographics of faith.

The Free Exercise Clause: Significant Supreme Court Rulings

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:55:18 -0400

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has created a summary of the most significant cases on religious freedom to ever go before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Balancing Work and Religion

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:55:59 -0400

As the U.S. population has become more ethnically and religiously diverse, more workers and employers are coming into conflict about freedoms to practice religion in the workplace. These conflicts are ending up in the courts, and in a growing number of cases, employees have the law on their side.

Religious Diversity in Early America

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:41:53 -0400

Religious diversity in the United States has a history older than the nation itself. Beginning with early colonial settlements, Native Americans spiritual traditions contrasted with those of Europeans. Successive waves of immigration have forced members of many different religious groups to live together.

The Interfaith Movement

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:40:34 -0400

Religious differences are often associated with tension and violence in the news, but collaboration among Americans of different traditions has been on the rise. One study reported that among Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations collaborative efforts increased more than fourfold between 2000 and 2005.

The Freedom to Worship and the Courts

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:39:36 -0400

When citizens believe that a law violates that principle of the U.S. Constitution, they turn to the courts, constitutionally appointed as the guardians of these principles. Several hypothetical cases demonstrate how the courts decide whether a law has strayed from principles of religious freedom.

Additional Resources

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:37:46 -0400

This is a selected list of resource materials for readers to further explore the topic of religious diversity.

About This Issue

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:24:06 -0400

This is the introduction to a publication entitled “Freedom of Faith: Religious Minorities in the United States.”

Protecting International Religious Freedom: A Global Consensus

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:37:43 -0400

As an element of its foreign policy, the United States is committed to the protection of religious freedom worldwide. The U.S. ambassador-at-large for religious freedom explains the nation pursues that policy in the knowledge that many people are denied the right to worship freely by their governments.

Keeping the Promise of Religious Freedom

Charlene Porter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:31:03 -0400

The religious landscape of America has changed radically in the past 40 years as changes in U.S. immigration policies have brought dozens of different religious groups to the country. Amidst this unprecedented diversity, citizens are finding ways to coexist with others of many different beliefs.

U.S. Minorities Will Be the Majority by 2042, Census Bureau Says

Louise Fenner — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:05:36 -0400

By the middle of the century, the population of the United States will be larger and more racially and ethnic diverse than earlier projections suggested, with much of the increase due to immigration. By 2042, minorities, collectively, are projected to make up more than 50 percent of the U.S. population, the Census Bureau says in a new report.

Beijing’s Olympic Village Provides Comfort, Duck for Athletes

Tommy Hine — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:39:01 -0400

Nothing but glowing praise has been heard for the new apartment complex in the Olympic Village that is housing the world's best athletes. "The facilities are excellent, probably the best Olympic venue and village that I've been at yet," said veteran U.S. archer Butch Johnson.

U.S. Olympic Fencers Make it a Triple Feat

Paul Levitan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:43:13 -0400

In a strong return to Olympic action in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the United States swept the medals in women’s sabre. Mariel Zagunis wins the gold medal for the second straight Olympics, Sada Jacobson the silver, and Becca Ward the bronze.

Political Cartoonist Herblock Skewered the Powerful

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:19:37 -0400

As U.S. voters prepare to elect their nation’s 44th president, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery is exhibiting a selection of political cartoons by Herb Block (better known as Herblock), a famous cartoonist who poked fun at U.S. presidents for nearly seven decades.

Muslim Filmmaker Looks at Social Issues with Humor, Warmth

Serena Kim — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:00:37 -0400

Although she defies expectations of what a Los Angeles filmmaker should look like -- she is young, female, devoutly Muslim and Indian American -- 24-year-old Lena Khan writes and directs music videos, commercials and award-winning short films. She addresses social issues with humor and youthful sensibility.

Interfaith Marriages Fairly Common in United States

Sonya Weakley — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:40:33 -0400

According to one recent study, 37 percent of American adults are married to someone of a different religious affiliation. One interfaith couple discusses some of the choices they have made regarding religious observances and family traditions as well as religious education for their children.

U.S. Olympians: Aged to Perfection

Paul Levitan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:15:28 -0400

A number of U.S. Olympians, like Libby Callahan, are older then 50. This may be the start of a new trend, as age is no longer a limit for Olympic competition.

Athletes Can Give Back Through “Team for Tomorrow”

Paul Levitan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:38:41 -0400

Team for Tomorrow is a new humanitarian relief effort through which U.S. athletes will offer assistance to people around the world who are in need.

The Qawwali Influence

Amor Safi — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:49:37 -0400

Practiced by Sufi Muslims in Pakistan and India, qawwali singing, typically accompanied by distinctive instruments, has grown in popularity in the United States, and influenced may number of producers, performers, and musicians. This musical communion continues to shape American popular music.

Many Americans Change Religious Beliefs

Sonya Weakley — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:47:10 -0400

In the United States, one study found that 28 percent of American adults have left the faiths in which they were raised. America.gov speaks with some adults who have experienced this religious change.

Opening Ceremony Kicks Off 2008 Summer Olympic Games

Kelly Bronk — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:44:16 -0400

More than 90,000 athletes and spectators will attend the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Lopez Lomong will carry the American flag and lead the United States team into National Stadium. Lomong came to America in 2001 as part of a program to relocate refugee orphans from war-torn Sudan.

America’s Eastern Orthodox Communities Show Tolerance, Diversity

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:38:39 -0400

According to a survey, U.S. Eastern Orthodox Christians fall within the American mainstream in their religious, political and social attitudes. Despite attempts to create a single, multiethnic American orthodox church, many worship in parishes affiliated with churches in countries of their ancestry.

Navajo Textbook Aims to Preserve Language, Culture

Jeffrey Thomas — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:57:58 -0400

New Mexico is the first U.S. state to approve a textbook that teaches a Native American language -- Diné Bizaad Bínáhoo'aah or Rediscovering the Navajo Language. The authors hope their work will help preserve Navajo and serve as a model and inspiration for other threatened languages and cultures.

2008 Games Could Mark “Strike Three” for Baseball in Olympics

Ralph Dannheisser — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:24:57 -0400

The 2008 Summer Games may be the last time baseball is played in the Olympics. Baseball will be eliminated starting in 2012, but supporters are hopeful for its return in 2016. Eight baseball teams will take part in the Beijing Olympic Games August 13-23 at the specially built Wukesong Baseball Field.

Hip-Hop: The “Rapper’s Delight”

Amor Safi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:55:25 -0400

Rap emerged as part of the multifaceted “hip-hop” culture that appeared in economically disadvantaged American cities beginning in the 1970s. Innovative disco DJs pioneered “backspinning” and other innovative techniques while pioneering rappers drew upon a “toasting” tradition in devising their rhymes.

The Internet

Amor Safi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:01:51 -0400

Music is easily captured in an MP3 or other digital format and the Internet is an ideal medium for transferring digital files. These developments have given rise to commercial and free download Web sites, and to disputes over copyright, protection of intellectual property, and digital rights management.

One New York City Neighborhood Is a World of Religious Diversity

Carrie Loewenthal — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:00:37 -0400

Flushing, New York, is home to more than 200 places of worship. Members of this diverse community make great efforts to bridge gaps between culture and religion, and support the American tradition of religious diversity.

Religious Groups Offer Wide-Ranging Services to New Immigrants

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:33:50 -0400

Religious congregations, determined to meet new immigrants’ needs, provide a range of social and religious services to new members of U.S. society. This includes English classes, access to health care and legal aid. Some churches even recruit clergy from overseas.

U.S. Religious Freedom Owes Debt to Colonists’ Radical Document

Judy Aita — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:30:02 -0400

The Flushing Remonstrance, the earliest known document in America to argue for religious tolerance, was created in 1657 by a group of citizens who petitioned the Dutch colonial government to permit religious pluralism. It is considered to be a precursor of religious freedom guarantees in the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. Megachurches Thrive in Climate of Faith, Tolerance, Bigness

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:58:40 -0400

The United States is fertile ground for questing, experimental religious congregations. One of the most striking trends of recent decades has been the emergence of so-called megachurches that serve the needs of an increasingly suburban culture, offering a broad range of religious and social services.

Religious Organizations Go High-Tech

Jessica Hilberman — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:51:48 -0400

Some religious groups are looking to high-tech solutions like podcasts, text messaging and social networks to increase their outreach and encourage new membership. Groups also are incorporating new technology into their programs, including broadcasting services to multiple facilities over fiber optic networks.

Amish Free to Maintain Traditions in Modern World

Sonya Weakley — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:50:54 -0400

The Amish have maintained their traditions of honoring community, church and family while becoming adept at selectively adopting modern technology. In one Pennsylvania county where 20,000 Amish are settled, tradition and modernity coexist on a daily basis.

Different Faiths Team Up to Bridge Differences in New York

Carrie Loewenthal — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:49:22 -0400

From concerts to mental health clinics, faith communities team up to help their neighbors and bridge cultures in diverse Flushing, New York. Although language may be a barrier, many groups find similarities between their faith and that of others through interfaith and cultural activities.

New York City Museum Exhibits Drawings by Iranian Satirist

Carrie Loewenthal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:17:07 -0400

An exhibition at the Asia Society Museum in New York City explores the work of Ardeshir Mohassess, an Iranian-born artist whose drawings and collages provide satirical commentary on the regimes that have ruled Iran from 1833 to the present.

Olympic Swimmer Tackles Fifth Olympic Games at 41

Aimee Berg — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:01:32 -0400

Dara Torres has swum in four Olympics spanning three decades. In between her swimming career she also has worked as a sports commentator and related jobs. Torres is now heading to Beijing to compete in her fifth Olympics and seize the chance to become the oldest swimming medalist in history at age 41.

U.S. Olympic Team Reflects America’s Global Roots

Domenick DiPasquale — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:53:38 -0400

With the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games just days away, athletes from around the world are converging on Beijing. Among the members of the U.S. Olympic team competing in the games are some who were born elsewhere in the world but now call the United States home.

Early Music of the American South

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:29:20 -0400

In the 1920s, recordings of several related African-American styles – blues, jazz, gospel, and others – began to appear, often sold in small, black-owned shops, and to grow in popularity. Black artists began to achieve national audiences, and their musical influence soon reached other kinds of popular music.

Blues Crooners

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:05:14 -0400

“Cool” pop-inflected blues singers complemented the more “hot” jump blues R&B style. Popular in nightclubs and typified by the Texas-born Los Angeles resident Charles Brown, this later, more urbane style often featured piano, bass, and guitar instrumentation while drawing upon earlier race records.

Jump Blues

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:04:19 -0400

Flourishing during and just after World War II, and especially popular with African-American audiences, small, touring rhythm and horn combos like Louis Jordan’s Tympany Five offered a blend of hard-swinging, boogie-woogie-based party music, spiced with humorous lyrics and wild stage performances.

Profile: Bill Haley and “Rock Around the Clock”

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:03:26 -0400

“Rock Around the Clock,” a smash hit in 1955 and 8 weeks as the nation’s number 1 hit, signaled that large numbers of American listeners were ready for a sound that drew heavily on dance-oriented African-American rhythm and blues music. “Rock Around the Clock” would sell over 22 million copies worldwide.

Personal Listening Devices

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:02:29 -0400

Despite their compact size, personal digital listening devices like the iPod and its competitors can hold and reproduce many hours of digital music, podcasts, or other digital files. They encourage listeners to amass their own personal music collections, which can be access nearly anywhere.

Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Generation’s Identity

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:01:39 -0400

Beginning in the 1950s, many younger Americans linked a new music – rock 'n' roll – to their growing sense of generational identity and rebellion against adult standards and norms. The new fused previously existing musical styles, and pleased a mass, youthful audience with its own tastes and aspirations.

Doo-Wop

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:00:04 -0400

Often trained in black churches, harmony groups adopted secular materials, adding blues and R&B forms to their gospel roots. Successful doo-wop groups like the Dominoes forged a harder-edged, more explicitly emotional sound than their predecessors, and achieved commercial success during the 1950s.

Tin Pan Alley: Creating “Music Standards”

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:58:47 -0400

The 1920s and -30s saw composers, lyricists, singers, and arrangers jointly shape a verse-refrain song structure that would become known as the “American standard.” Standards often explored issues of romantic love, and singers adopted a “crooner” style that invited listeners to identify directly with them.

Rap Goes Mainstream

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:54:10 -0400

The 1979 12-inch dance single “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang, established rap’s commercial potential. The single introduced millions to the new sound and eased the path of such leading rap acts as Public Enemy and M.C. Hammer onto radio and mainstream channels of record distribution.

Country Music: Songs of Tradition and Change

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:52:21 -0400

Country and Western music typically depicts life in a rural America straining to meet the challenges of increased mechanization and social change. Its often nostalgic ballads and love songs offered often sad tales of romantic woe, distant loved ones, and restless movement from town to town.

Bluegrass and Honky-Tonk

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:51:29 -0400

Even as some country music displayed a growing pop influence, a number of important country musicians instead updated older styles for new circumstances. Bluegrass reflected a southern string band tradition and honky-tonk displayed road side “juke joint” roots.

Giants of Tin Pan Alley

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:56:39 -0400

Composers and lyricists including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George and Ira Gershwin perfected the American standard. Cross-fertilization with the nearby Broadway theaters, where demand for musicals ran high, spurred new levels of quality and quantity. Many standards remain popular today.

Country Music Updated

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:51:11 -0400

Beginning in the 1960s, younger country artists crafted more cosmopolitan approach to vocal presentation and instrumental arrangement. Artists like Patsy Kline successfully fused this updated “Nashville sound” with honky-tonk and rhythm-and-blues inflections while preserving country music’s more rural roots.

American Popular Music: Glossary

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:50:26 -0400

World Music Collaborations: Crossing Cultural Boundaries

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:48:06 -0400

World music encompasses and sometimes blends elements of native musics from every continent. It brought to prominence in America such artists as Ali Farka Touré (Mali) and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Pakistan) and exposed millions of American listeners to a wider variety of voices, rhythms, and instrumentation.

Back to Africa, Crossing Cultural Boundaries

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:48:49 -0400

Already deeply linked, the contemporary fusion of contemporary African and American music reflects a conversation between two dialects of an Afro-Atlantic musical language, the increasing globalization of musical tastes, and a growing number of collaborations between musicians from diverse traditions.

The Message

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:47:24 -0400

“The Message” (1982) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, established social realism as an integral component of rap. The first commercially successful rap to describe the gritty life of the 1980s urban ghetto, “The Message” depicts the tense relations between young hip-hoppers and the local police.

Profile: Prince

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:49:15 -0400

Hugely talented and commercially successful (over 40 million recordings sold), the songwriter, performer, and producer Prince has blended funk, guitar-based rock 'n' roll, psychedelic rock and other styles. He starred in the film and soundtrack album Purple Rain, and has penned many hits for other artists.

The Electric Guitar

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:03:31 -0400

Rock 'n' roll and the electric guitar grew together in popularity. While the electric guitar dates to 1931, early rockers brought the instrument into the musical mainstream. Its vibrant energy, tinged with a hint of excess, proved a perfect match for the new, youth-oriented rock 'n' roll artists.

Music Technology: Controversies

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:02:50 -0400

Because digital music files can be readily transmitted, reproduced, and manipulated, they raise copyright enforcement issues. May listeners transfer “their” files to others without restriction? If so, how can the popular music industry survive, and in what form? What will tomorrow’s music industry look like?

Digital Technology and Popular Music

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:01:06 -0400

New technologies allow artists and producers to treat music as an endlessly editable digital data stream. Sounds can be repeated or layered atop each other even to 128 tracks, thus moving part of the creative process to the manipulation of musical sounds into a final form for distribution.

Music Technology: Innovations and Controversies

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:00:23 -0400

From sheet music to radio, from vinyl long playing albums to digital mp3 files, technology devises new means for distributing music to ever larger audiences. Musicians adapt to take the fullest advantage of the newest technologies, which also can permit greater audience participation in the musical process.

Production and Promotion of Popular Music

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:59:25 -0400

A successful recording typically features the efforts of many specialists playing different and often closely related roles. A musician might also write the song, arrange the instruments, and produce the recording. Record label professionals make marketing decisions and distribute the recordings.

Music: The Business

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:58:42 -0400

The distribution of popular music has grown in complexity since the era of sheet music. Radio, recordings of various kinds, and motion pictures all expose listeners to new music. Technological advances create roles for engineers and other specialists who edit and otherwise shape musicians’ performances.

Rhythm & Blues

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:57:51 -0400

Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Fats Domino were among the performers most responsible for the incorporation of R&B elements into rock, and for cementing its trans-racial appeal. Meanwhile, Elvis Presley, whose musical roots included country influence established rock 'n' roll as a mass-market phenomenon.

Profile: Bob Dylan

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:56:54 -0400

Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan updated traditional folk music for urban listeners, including the protest-oriented young, intellectual set centered in New York’s Greenwich Village and elsewhere during the 1960s. Dylan later updated his sound with electric guitars and led the new folk rock movement.

Jimi Hendrix, the Guitar Hero

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:55:02 -0400

“Plugged-in” guitar masters like Jimi Hendrix expanded the range of technique, volume and improvisational brilliance even as they emerged as social icons. Guitar-focused flamboyant showmanship would emerge as a central rock 'n' roll motif, pleasing crowds at large, stadium-size concerts and arena shows alike.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Will Never Die

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:55:43 -0400

While some purists argue that rock 'n' roll creativity declined during the 1970s and -80s, others saw a flowering of many new approaches. Bruce Springsteen’s working-class rock thrived alongside the singer-songwriter stylings of a Paul Simon or a Carole King. Truly it was an era of rock for everyone.

The Counterculture and Psychedelic Rock

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:54:21 -0400

The 1960s was a period of musical innovation. San Francisco-based psychedelic bands like the Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, and the vocalists Grace Slick and Janis Joplin represented some of the many innovative approaches to rock 'n' roll that flowered during this politically tumultuous decade.

Ray Charles and Soul Music

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:53:37 -0400

The outstanding composer, arranger, and vocalist Ray Charles enjoyed great success on the 1950s R&B charts. His synthesis of gospel and blues marked the first emergence of soul music. Charles’s musical influence extended to the giants of that genre, including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding.

The 1960s: Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Second Generation

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:52:54 -0400

Rock 'n' roll helped define the character and spirit of the 1960s, which covered the civil rights movement, the John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, and the Vietnam War. The Beach Boys introduced a new, “California sound” as rock expanded from its origins to explore new musical frontiers.

Motown

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:51:00 -0400

Spearheaded by the African American musical entrepreneur Berry Gordy Jr., Detroit-based Motown Records launched a stream of hit recordings featuring a smooth African-American style that subtly incorporated gospel and blues inflections and appealed with enormous success to the musical mainstream.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Women

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:51:16 -0400

By the 1960s, the baby boomer generation was ready to embrace female rockers – young women artists like Brenda Lee, whose feisty public image earned her the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite.” From this point forward, women artists would play significant roles in the future popularity of rock 'n' roll.

Early Country Music: Hillbilly Records

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:49:23 -0400

Derived from folk songs, ballads, and dance music of British Isles immigrants and blended with Tin Pan Alley pop, artists like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers depicted stories of heartbreak and the allure of the open road. They influenced directly subsequent country and western artists.

Profile of Hank Williams

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:48:36 -0400

A leading post-World War II country artist, Hank Williams recorded dozens of hit records before his premature death at age 29. His music reinvigorated for a new generation the enduring myth of the hard-living, hard-loving rambler while his crossover hits introduced country stylings to a wider audience.

Profiles of James Brown and Aretha Franklin

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:47:41 -0400

James Brown and Aretha Franklin were two of the all-time leading rhythm-and-blues artists. Each transferred gospel musical roots to secular material and developed intense, flamboyant, gritty, and highly individual approaches to pop music. Each sold millions of records over a decades-spanning career.

Profile of Big Mama Thornton

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:46:42 -0400

The powerful-voiced Baptist minister’s daughter emerged on the 1950s R&B scene with the original Delta Blues-tinged recording of “Hound Dog,” one of the top selling R&B records of 1953. A “triple threat,” she excelled on vocals, drums, and harmonica. Thornton exemplified R&B’s rough edge.

Rhythm & Blues: From Jump Blues to Doo-Wop

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:45:08 -0400

The later 1940s and early 1950s featured hit recordings by swing-influenced “jump bands,” urban blues styles hits, and gospel-influenced vocal harmony groups. Often featured on small, independent recording labels, these “rhythm and blues” genres gained enthusiastic audiences and anchored later musical trends.

Chicago Electric Blues

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:45:54 -0400

During the 1940s, millions of African Americans moved northward, to Chicago especially, and there developed a gritty, hard-edged, electronically amplified adaptation of traditional Mississippi Delta musical patterns. The slide guitarist Muddy Waters would prove hugely influential across musical genres.

Race Records

Amor Safi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:42:51 -0400

The King of Swing

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:57:54 -0400

Pioneered by black dance bands and popularized by the clarinetist Benny Goodman and others, swing jazz – featuring a fluid, danceable, “rocking” rhythmic momentum – reflected an emotional state characterized by a sense of freedom, vitality, and enjoyment. It grew hugely popular during the 1930s and -40s.

Dance Music in the “Jazz Age”

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:56:38 -0400

“Flappers,” “jazz babies,” and other members of the typically white upper and middle classes, were drawn to early jazz. The emerging jazz subculture represented a greater openness to African-American influence on popular styles of music, dance, and speech. Hollywood helped popularize the idea of a “jazz age.”

American Popular Music: Introduction

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:44:21 -0400

American popular music is a kaleidoscopic mélange of styles and dreams. Its vibrancy reflects the mating of cultural diversity to artistic and creative freedom. The stories in this book illustrate how Americans, borrowing from diverse musical traditions, have contributed to humanity’s universal language.

The King of Jazz

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:41:23 -0400

While he promoted “safe,” “watered-down” jazz, Paul Whiteman and his dance orchestra widened the market for jazz-based dance music, championed a symphonic jazz – exemplified by George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue – and introduced further stars like Bix Biederbecke, and the Dorsey brothers, to a mass audience.

Popular Jazz and Swing: America’s Original Art Form

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:39:20 -0400

Jazz, native to the hybrid musical culture of New Orleans and shaped profoundly by the cornetist Louis Armstrong, emerged in the first decades of the 20th century. Its appeal swiftly transcended region, ethnicity and class, and laid important musical foundations for swing, rhythm and blues, and rock 'n' roll.

Profile of Stephen Foster

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:38:18 -0400

The first American to make his living as a full-time songwriter, Stephen Collins Foster incorporated into his popular compositions elements of the ballad, Italian light opera, Irish and German songs, and minstrel songs. His compositions were heard in saloons, theaters, variety shows, and band concerts.

The Ragtime Craze, 1896-1918

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:37:22 -0400

Derived from the African banjo and infused with minstrel and Latin inflections, the highly syncopated ragtime style grew hugely popular at the dawn of the 20th century. Tin Pan Alley composers infused their compositions with ragtime elements, and bands of every kind adopted ragtime elements.

The Birth of Tin Pan Alley

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:35:43 -0400

Beginning around the 1890s, music publishers opened offices along part of Manhattan’s 28th Street, which became known as Tin Pan Alley – a possible reference to the sound of discordant sound of many pianos playing the diverse “hits” that would dominate American popular music for the next 70 years.

Dance Music and Brass Bands

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:34:18 -0400

Dance has always shaped American popular music. Restrained ballroom, livelier “country” dances, and more exuberant immigrant and African-American styles all drove musical fashion. Similarly, the Civil War sparked interest in “patriotic” music, often marches performed by military “brass bands.”

Popular Music: 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:33:33 -0400

Minstrelsy, musical and theatrical entertainment performed by mainly white performers in blackface, offered racist parodies of African-American music, dance, dress, and dialect but it also allowed working-class white youth to identify their sense of marginalization with those cultural forms.

The Latin American Stream

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:31:52 -0400

Habanera, rumba, and other Latin American styles have blended and fused with European and African genres in an ever more rich, complex, and layered musical stew. The influence of Cuba, Mexico, and Brazil is especially notable. The sounds of samba and salsa are as “American” as ballads and Broadway.

The African-American Stream

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:31:05 -0400

African slaves similarly brought their musical traditions to the New World. Features of their diverse musics blended into and shaped successive forms of American popular music. Throughout the 20th century, African derived elements arguably grew in influence and reached an ever-larger audience.

Streams of Tradition: Sources of Popular Music

Amor Safi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:30:09 -0400

Immigrants from England and other parts of Europe contributed the popular musical forms that predominated in the United States until the middle of the 19th century. Subsequent waves of European immigration introduced additional styles, and deepened the richness of American popular music.

Baseball, Once Just an American Game, Extends Reach Worldwide

Ralph Dannheisser — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:33:59 -0400

When major league baseball introduced the “World Series” in 1903, the name was an exercise in hyperbole. The sport was strictly American in nature, and the bulk of players and managers were U.S. natives. But as the game has grown in popularity around the world and international superstars develop, the “World” aspect has become a reality.

Sports Exchanges with Iran Build Bridges

Paul Levitan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:17:28 -0400

In the run-up to the Olympics, the State Department brings to the United States two Iranian national teams, the table tennis and basketball teams, to practice and compete in the United States as part of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Avoiding Temptations

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:56:53 -0400

Most U.S. teens cope with the pressure and challenges of adolescence, but the desire to exercise independence and to distance themselves from authority figures sometimes leads teens to act in ways they later regret. Here are comments from a couple of American teens who have learned from their mistakes.

I Sing the Body Electric

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:24:38 -0400

Ian McEuen is a 17 year old musician in the 11^th grade. His musical interests are varied. His dream is to become an opera singer, yet he also enjoys being the lead singer in a rock n’ roll band with friends at school.

Work Experiences

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:42:30 -0400

Working hard and paying your own way are strong values in the United States. Many American youth take part-time jobs to earn spending money, save for college, get practical experience, and gain a sense of independence. Here are some comments from American teens about their various work experiences.

Volunteering

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:32:25 -0400

Many teens want to be involved in their communities, to use their energy and enthusiasm to help others. As we see in the following essays, local and global events and situations motivate American students to volunteer their time and energy to help others.

In Their Own Words – Sports

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:13 -0400

Youth is synonymous with energy—mental and physical. Organized and informal sports provide teens with an opportunity to expend some energy and, more importantly, to learn the value of fair play, to achieve goals, and to just have fun. Here some American teens write about their participation in sports.

In Their Own Words - Music

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:16:25 -0400

Practically all teenagers in the United States love to listen to music and are devoted to particular artists and musical styles. But teens do more than listen. Millions of young Americans study music, and hundreds, maybe thousands, of teens participate in informal rock bands with friends.

Influence of Religion

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:14:06 -0400

America is a land of many faiths, and teenagers in America practice their religions in a variety of ways. Freedom of religion and separation of church and state are among the basic American principles. Here are comments from several American teenagers about the role of their religions in their lives.

Future Plans

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:01:07 -0400

There are many career routes U.S. students can take after graduating from high school, including studying at a university and military service. Students from Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana talk about some of their personal decisions.

Different Schools

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:56:27 -0400

Schools reflect the diversity of the nation's cities, towns, and villages. In addition to their paramount role in education, they are often focal points of community activities. Here are some insights from American students at various types of schools from around the country.

Cross-Cultural Understanding

Susan Doner — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:02:35 -0400

The wide diversity of American society is on display in the faces of American teenagers who are adept at making friends across ethnic, religious, and racial lines. Here are some comments about their experiences in school from U.S. students from various ethnic backgrounds.

What Immigrants Say About the United States

Susan Doner — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:42:51 -0400

Read some inspiring quotes from immigrants from across the globe living across the United States. Though they come from different backgrounds, all are inspired by the opportunities life in the United States offers.

American Thinkers on Values

Susan Doner — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:36:12 -0400

During the history of the United States there have been many renowned American thinkers from a variety of backgrounds and vocations. Here are a few of their notable quotes regarding the values that Americans hold dear.

U.S. Musicians Put Their Own Twist on Popular Persian Songs

Esther Agbaje — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:44:31 -0400

The music may be foreign, but the musicians are not. “We try to bring the music to non-Persians. We’re Americans and we put our own spin on it, but we still respect the music,” said Megan Weeder, a member of NoorSaaz, an American band that plays Persian music.

Disabled Bahraini, U.S. Students Seeking New Possibilities

Steve Holgate — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:08:09 -0400

Two delegations of young people with disabilities -- one Bahraini, the other American -- are taking part in an exchange program that allows them to address key issues that affect them. Organized by Mobility International USA and funded by the U.S. Department of State, the program is in its second year.

Asian-Pacific Americans Honored in Community-Backed Museum

Susan Krause — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:52:32 -0400

Seattle residents worked together to expand a museum celebrating Asian-Pacific culture. The new facility challenges visitors to explore the rich and varied history of Asian-Pacific Americans in the United States, and aims to become a leader in community-based museum exhibitions.

Americans Passionate, Patriotic About Olympic Games

Eric Green — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:25:53 -0400

Americans will closely follow the 2008 Olympic Games in China from August 8 to 24, Olympic experts tell America.gov. The allure of playing on a world stage and “cultural pride” is attracting top U.S. athletes, such as basketball stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, to compete in the Olympics.

Additional Resources

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:39 -0400

This document provides resource material and background about the U.S. National Park system and related topics.

The Spiritual and Cultural Significance of National Parks

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:10:19 -0400

U.S. national parks are sacred places to many Americans, inspiring awe and wonder in visitors. At the same time, a conservation author explains, mountains, wilderness and forests belonging to all the American people also remind citizens of the struggle for independence and the quest for new horizons.

The Story of America Itself

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:09:51 -0400

One of the foremost documentary filmmakers in the United States is soon to release a 12-hour program on the National Park System. Ken Burns and his collaborator, Dayton Duncan, explain how a policy of land conservation demonstrates democracy in action and tells the stories of Americans themselves.

Parks Can Change a Nation

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:09:15 -0400

The development of Costa Rica’s national park system launched a new level of national awareness of the country’s unique biodiversity, according to a pioneer of that system. Alvaro Ugalde writes that the parks shifted the national economy away from exploitation to conservation of resources.

Guardians of the Ancients

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:08:47 -0400

Thousands of prehistoric sites are included in the National Park System, reminders of the lives of people who occupied the land long before European settlers. The artifacts and architecture left by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans are valued just as greatly as the sweeping vistas created by nature.

When a Park Is Not a Park

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:08:14 -0400

The National Park Service is the steward of almost 400 units, but many do not fit the standard definition of a park. Monuments, battlefields and historic parks are each different types of parks, as are national seashores and lakeshores. Each type of unit has a place in a system that tells the nation’s story.

Oh Ranger: The Rocks Call Out

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:07:29 -0400

A geologist explains how he came to a career at the National Park Service in Death Valley, California.

U.S. Parks: The Timeline

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:28:23 -0400

In the 130 years since the creation of the first national park, U.S. policy on how to manage and maintain the parks has gone through many changes. The desire to pass on the land as a legacy for future generations has remained consistent through the generations. A timeline shows the evolution of U.S. park policy.

Oh Ranger: Making Something That Will Last

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:27:49 -0400

A park service worker paves the way for visitors to take pleasant strolls on the rugged coastline of Maine.

The Heritage of All Humanity

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:27:11 -0400

The idea of a national park was created in the United States, but the concept has gone worldwide under the terms of the World Heritage Convention. The international compact between 185 nations protects close to 900 sites of natural or cultural significance to all humanity.

Repelling the Invasives

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:26:32 -0400

From estuarine waters to the vast forests and valleys of public lands, to the gardens of everyday homes, plant species invasion is a major environmental problem in the United States and many other parts of the world. The National Park Service has teams of professionals and volunteers attacking the problem.

Scenery and Science in U.S. National Parks

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:25:56 -0400

The ecological science that governs the natural world was poorly understood when the United States created its first national parks. A retired National Park Service historian explores how the agency developed a management scheme over time to protect both beautiful landscapes and humble life forms.

About This Issue

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:25:21 -0400

The people of the United States own and protect a system of parks, seashores and monuments that encompasses 3.6 percent of the nation’s landmass. The parks tell the story of the nation’s spirit, ideals and aspirations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There is nothing so American as our national parks.”

Special Places Uniting All Americans

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:24:47 -0400

The National Park System is emblematic of the scope of the American story, according to Mary A. Bomar, the 17th director of the U.S. National Park Service. Bomar says the almost 400 parks and monuments in the system unite the nation because of how they reflect the American history, spirit and ideals.

Oh Ranger: The Most Beautiful Office in the World

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:24:09 -0400

A park service employee describes her sometimes harrowing job keeping winding roads free of snow in the Rocky Mountains.

A Climate of Change

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:22:03 -0400

From increased smog in the Great Smoky Mountains to melting glaciers, no corner of the National Park System is out of reach of climate change. Park officials call the trend the biggest challenge they have ever faced, and they are devising a range of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in parks.

Park Rangers and Swiss Guides

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:19:04 -0400

The national park – conserved land with access for all – is an American idea. But in the evolution of the national park system, the United States borrowed some ideas from other countries.

U.S.A. FAQs

Janelle Simmons — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:45:37 -0400

Why stars and stripes in the flag? Why red, white, and blue? How many states? What is the official symbol? Preamble to the Constitution? How many amendments to the Constitution? Father of the Constitution? Declaration of Independence? Star-Spangled Banner?

Government and the Movies

Janelle Simmons — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:50:59 -0400

Unlike many countries where the government oversees cultural programs, the United States does not have a government office or ministry that regulates the film industry. Government, however, does interface with the movie business in several ways.

Oh Ranger: On the Steps Where Dr. King Stood

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:31:17 -0400

A National Park Service ranger works among the monuments and memorials at the heart of the nation’s capital, and says she has the most wonderful job in the world.

Unorthodox U.S. Museums Show Off America’s Lighter Side

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:49:41 -0400

The word “museum” usually conjures up visions of cultural treasures or fossils, but some museums in the United States are far more unconventional. America.gov offers a brief survey of some unusual museums that will amuse and surprise visitors who are willing to stray off the beaten path.

Soccer

Paul Levitan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:10:25 -0400

Bhutan, Others Come to Washington for Folklife Festival

MacKenzie Babb — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:25:55 -0400

Some boots are made for cowboys, others for astronauts to walk on the moon, and still others are a colorful part of traditional Bhutanese dress -- but this year they were also part of America's largest, annual cultural heritage celebration, the 42^nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Sports Films Make Strong Showing at U.S. Film Festival

David Minckler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:04:11 -0400

Sports films make a strong showing at Silverdocs, one of America’s most respected documentary film festivals, with two films on the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. Other films look at a baseball team in Israel, women’s football (soccer) in the United States and Iran, and a football competition for homeless men.

Watching Soccer: a Popular U.S. Pastime

Paul Levitan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:23:32 -0400

Summers Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, is a football institution. It was voted the best soccer bar in the United States in 2002 by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Manager Joe Javidara has been showing soccer matches there since the bar’s inception in 1984.

“Чувство воды”

Alexandra Abboud — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:45:53 -0400

Американская пловчиха Джанет Эванс впервые приняла участие в Олимпийских играх, когда ей было 17 лет, выиграв три золотые медали. На Олимпиаде 1996 года, уже в более зрелом возрасте, она поняла, что представлять свою страну – это большая честь, даже если не удается занять призовое место. Спортсменка рассказывает о соревнованиях, на которых преданные своему делу спортсмены представляли десятки стран мира.

Arab-American Writers Reveal Life’s Richness and Frustrations

Burton Bollag — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:41:25 -0400

More and more works by Arab-American writers are being published, read and reviewed, according to a panel of writers. Arab-American literature, like that of other immigrant and ethnic communities, reveals a struggle to fit in and overcome prejudice and ignorance.

U.S. Men’s Basketball Team Aims for Olympic Glory

Kelly Bronk and Samantha Berk — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:49:34 -0400

Mike Krzyzewski, coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, is looking forward to leading his team in its quest for a gold medal in Beijing. Krzyzewski fielded questions about preparing for the Olympic Games in a State Department webchat June 27.

Is Working in the Hot Sun Your Idea of a Vacation? It Is for Many

Howard Cincotta — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:36:42 -0400

Volunteer vacations may involve only a small proportion of American vacationers, but the numbers are growing. These vacations include a wide range of community-service activities. Fourteen percent of U.S. travelers have taken a volunteer vacation, and 55 percent say they would like to in the future.

Road Trip USA: Discovering a Different America

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:55:53 -0400

A road trip in the United States presents an opportunity to discover some of the country’s quirkiest local attractions and landmarks, including giant balls of twine, a house shaped like a shoe and car-themed sculptures. These oddities delight visitors and offer a glimpse of America’s lighter side.

U.S. Independence Day a Civic and Social Event

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:02:16 -0400

The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4 with patriotic celebration and family events. In the words of Founding Father John Adams, the holiday would be “the great anniversary festival.” It is a major civic occasion, with roots deep in the Anglo-American tradition of political freedom.

Fourth of July Music Reflects U.S. History, Diversity

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:18:27 -0400

The patriotic songs that are staples of U.S. Independence Day celebrations reflect the nation’s history and the contributions of immigrants to the country’s culture. Perhaps the piece that captures the 4th of July spirit best is “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, the son of immigrants.

Most-Visited U.S. Museums Are Family-Friendly Destinations

Yvette Ridenour — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:49:41 -0400

U.S. museums are increasingly popular destinations for vacationing families, because many of these facilities offer interactive exhibits that delight adults and children alike. From coast to coast, the most-visited museums in the United States explore the realms of dinosaurs, pirates, marine life, aviation and lots more.

Summer Books: What Americans Read for Fun

Phillip Kurata — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:31:50 -0400

As Americans begin their annual vacation season, a memoir by a famous journalist is among the bestselling books of the summer. Fueled in part by the sales of summer “beach books,” the publishing industry is expected to grow by 3 percent to 4 percent through 2011.

Americans in Search of Summer Theater Needn’t Travel Far

Ralph Dannheisser — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:09:51 -0400

Summer theater festivals abound across the United States, and their varied offerings reveal a cultural landscape as diverse as the nation’s geography. Almost anywhere, vacationers can attend plays or musicals by established playwrights or see stagings of new works by emerging artists.

An “Ultimate” Adventure in Outdoor Recreation

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:03:36 -0400

Throwing a Frisbee might be considered a leisure activity to most people, but for Ultimate Frisbee players, it’s a fiercely competitive sport. Combining elements of basketball, soccer and American football, the game now attracts 25,000 amateur athletes throughout the United States.

Summer Music Festivals Dot Landscape Across America

Ralph Dannheisser — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:54:32 -0400

Summer music festivals can be found all across the United States, with different venues attracting fans of classical, opera, jazz, blues, country, bluegrass or rock music. Some events offer a wide range of fare to accommodate the tastes of a diverse group of patrons.

Beachgoers’ Portable Movies May Distract Them from the Waves

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:10:36 -0400

Movie-watching is moving out multiplexes and onto the Internet. What’s next? According to experts, Americans will make their own straight-to-the-Web movies, and online entertainment aggregators will provide customized entertainment feeds based on viewers’ individual preferences.

U.S. Amusement Parks: An Industry That Entertains Millions

Laura Potter — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:56:48 -0400

Amusement parks were introduced in the United States in the late 1800s, and today they draw as many as 335 million visitors a year. Offering wild rides and larger-than-life attractions, U.S. amusement parks provide a welcome escape for vacationers who want to leave the real world behind.

Some American History Lovers Live It on the Weekends

Jane Morse — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:47:06 -0400

Some people love to experience history firsthand -- dressing and living (at least on the weekends) the way people did hundreds of years ago. Most do it strictly for fun, but many historical reenactors also become quite knowledgeable about the customs of the era they re-create.

Survey Finds Americans Are Religious, Tolerant, Nondogmatic

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:01:06 -0400

The typical American believes in God (92 percent), believes in absolute standards of right and wrong (78 percent), prays at least weekly (75 percent), believes in life after death (74 percent) and believes in sacred scripture as the word of God (63 percent), according to the findings of a new study.

More International Films Shown at U.S. Documentary Film Fest

David Minckler — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:56:45 -0400

The Silverdocs documentary festival in suburban Washington has steadily grown into the premier U.S. showcase for nonfiction filmmakers from around the world. This year’s festival was the biggest and most international yet, with 108 films from 63 countries. More than 22,000 people attended.

Veterans’ Wartime Memories Find Home in Library of Congress

Sarah Rouse — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:48:10 -0400

In 2000, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) began to preserve the wartime memories of U.S. military veterans. It has collected accounts from 50,000 veterans of World War II and more recent conflicts. It includes oral histories, letters, diaries, photos and historical documents.

Roster for U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team Announced

Kelly Bronk — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:13:54 -0400

When the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team hits the court in Beijing this August, the team will feature several experienced Olympians leading the way as the United States begins its quest to recapture the gold. The 12-player U.S. team, announced June 23, includes five players with previous Olympic experience.

Santiago Cucullu

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:57:54 -0400

Santiago Cucullu is currently working with non-figurative plastic materials to produce large wall pieces.

Jason Falchook

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:56:54 -0400

A native of New York City, Jason Falchook uses his camera to consider the overlap of public and private space.

Hillary Steel

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:34:23 -0400

Influenced by the resist dye processes of Asia, the Americas, and Western Africa, Hillary Steel’s textiles are varied in colors and texture.

Will Cotton

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:34:57 -0400

Will Cotton starts with confectionary maquettes then paints them. “It's about imagining the possibility of constant indulgence."

Nicole Cohen

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:32:20 -0400

Nicole Cohen uses pictures of rooms as stages that can become a screen for a video projection that is enhanced by a performance.

Lauren Camp

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:28:58 -0400

Using threadwork and a combination of fabrics and paint, Lauren Camp produces “art about jazz,” she says. “I hear the colors and shapes.”

Lighting Out for the Territory

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:13:00 -0400

Artists move between the real and the imaginary in paintings, photographs, installations, sculptures, videos, textiles, and blown glass.

Preface

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:08:48 -0400

Presenting 17 American artists who have made their work available through the U.S. Department of State ART in Embassies program, for exhibit in the public rooms of U.S. diplomatic residences around the world.

Amy Wheeler

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:04:06 -0400

“My paintings usually depict beautiful, somewhat inaccessible spaces or things,” says Amy Wheeler about her art.

Matt Saunders

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:38:03 -0400

Matt Saunders’ work is extremely personal, working evenly between painting, the moving image, and drawing.

Dante Marioni

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:26:23 -0400

Dante Marioni’s beautiful art is about glassblowing; elongated, lean shapes and pleasant colors.

Stacy Levy

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:14:00 -0400

Stacy Levy says of her art, “My installations investigate aspects of the natural processes which make each site as we know it.”

Trenton Doyle Hancock

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:02:53 -0400

Hancock’s mixed media installations are colorful and imaginative and many are made from found objects.

Benjamin Edwards

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:15:17 -0400

The young artist depicts landscapes fanciful, the ones we hope to make, and the ones we hope to never see.

Tristano di Robilant

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:00:55 -0400

Di Robilant works in both sculpture and drawing, using a variety of media from bronze and aluminum to glass.

Valerie Demianchuk

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:32:08 -0400

By using pencil/graphic on paper, the artist Valerie Demianchuk emphasizes the intrinsic nature of objects.

Gregory Crewdson

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:53:22 -0400

Working with C-prints, Gregory Crewdson shows how photography is distinct but connected to other narrative forms like writing and film.

Graham Caldwell

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:56:16 -0400

“My sculptures embody the fluidity of glass and its ability to amass light,” says Graham of his creations.

Philip Argent

Amor Safi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:41:18 -0400

An Interview with Famed U.S. Diving Coach Ron O’Brien

Paul Levitan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:52:28 -0400

A conversation with Ron O’Brien, U.S. head Olympic diving coach for seven straight Olympic Games. Ron O’Brien coached Greg Louganis to a double gold medal performance in the 1988 Olympic Games.

A Conversation with a Top Paralympics Track Athlete

Paul Levitan — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:41:17 -0400

April Holmes, who lost part of a leg in a train accident, is an extremely busy athlete, speaker and director of the April Holmes Foundation (developed to promote more opportunities for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities). She was able to provide us with a snapshot of what it is like being a Paralympian.

Abraham Lincoln, Russian Czar Focus of Bicentennial Exhibition

Jonathan Schaffer — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:52:55 -0400

During the U.S. Civil War, Russia and the United States advanced different but compatible foreign and domestic agendas. A joint U.S.-Russian exhibit touring the United States in honor of President Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday explores early U.S.-Russian ties.

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month Celebrates Diversity, Liberty

Jeffrey Thomas — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:35:55 -0400

In the United States, June is recognized as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and, as in many other diversity celebrations in the country, gays and lesbians celebrate their identity through parades with colorful floats, marching bands and flags. For many, it is a time to celebrate civil liberties as well.

China, United States Cooperate on Olympics Security

Michael Buchanan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:50:00 -0400

Twenty-eight sports, 11,000 athletes and millions of spectators figure to provide a considerable security challenge for Olympics advisers in Beijing this summer. As China prepares for the games, though, it has the expertise and resources of several U.S. agencies at its disposal.

Trailblazing African Americans Enriched the Sport of Tennis

Paul Levitan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:14:46 -0400

Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson were trailblazing African-American athletes. Their skill and determination opened up new areas for athletic achievement by African Americans. Their breakthrough achievements in tennis and their lives beyond the court are an example to future generations.

The Rise of the Independents

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:51:23 -0400

Most countries consider themselves fortunate if they have a film industry to call their own. While some areas of the world—India and Hong Kong come immediately to mind—have industries that are thriving, the United States is privileged in having not one but two viable motion picture industries.

Bibliography

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:26:05 -0400

Young Filmmakers - Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:49:35 -0400

According to the Project Greenlight Web site, it’s the Hollywood Cinderella story. Two childhood friends, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, struggle to break into acting. After years of hard work, they write their own script, star in it, get recognized, become famous, and win an Academy Award for best screenplay.

Young Filmmaker - Will Smith

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:47:02 -0400

Starting as a well-known rapper and a star in a comedy TV series, Will Smith become one of the most successful actors in Hollywood, demonstrating his acting range with dramatic and comedic hits. His award-winning 2006 film, The Pursuit of Happyness, was produced by his own film and TV production company.

Young Filmmaker - Tyler Perry

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:42:19 -0400

As an award-winning playwright, author, actor, producer, and director Tyler Perry is primarily known for his plays and films about day-to-day dilemmas of African-American life. Characterized as morality plays, his films often feature a female character whose wisdom and conscience guide the other characters.

Young Filmmaker - Sofia Coppola

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:35:42 -0400

Born to filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola made her movie debut as the infant being baptized in his filmThe Godfather. She went on to pursue an acting career, first as a child, and then as a teen and adult, but by the 1990s she had followed her father into the roles of producer and director.

Young Filmmaker - Sarah Polley

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:32:46 -0400

Canadian Sarah Polley began her acting career as a child, working in both film and television but has since moved on to roles in mainly independent films. Polley has recently taken up directing, mostly for Canadian television projects. In May 2007, she earned directorial accolades for her film Away From Her.

Young Filmmaker - Salma Hayek

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:26:55 -0400

After becoming a television and film star in Mexico, Salma Hayek came to the United States to find, at that time, limited roles for Latin actresses in American films. Through perseverance, talent, and personal activism she began to win bigger and more diverse roles, while also moving into film production.

Young Filmmaker - Noah Baumbach

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:24:43 -0400

Noah Baumbach has written, directed, and/or appeared in numerous films. His first film, Kicking and Screaming, premiered at the New York Film Festival in 1996 and claimed many accolades for a first film. His 2005 film, The Squid and the Whale, was nominated for Independent Spirit and Academy Awards.

Young Filmmaker – Miranda July

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:22:36 -0400

According to her official Web site, Miranda July is “a filmmaker, performing artist and writer. She grew up in Berkeley, California, where she began her career by writing plays and staging them at the local punk club. July's videos, performances, and web-based projects have been presented at various sites.”

Young Filmmaker - Minnie Driver

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:20:06 -0400

After spending part of her childhood in Barbados, Minnie Driver was educated in England and attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Driver started with a music career, switched primarily to acting for a while, and now balances the two. Her music credits include both singer and songwriter.

Young Filmmaker - Lucy Liu

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:17:16 -0400

Near the end of her college career studying Asian language and culture, Lucy Liu launched her acting career when she tried out for and won a role in a stage production of The Wizard of Oz. Today, the 38-year-old has quite an acting resume, and has also started producing films, including documentaries.

Young Filmmaker – Isabel Coixet

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:14:48 -0400

Isabel Coixet is a director, writer, producer, and occasional actress, born in Spain in 1960. After studying history in college, she began a career in advertising. Eventually her love of filmmaking merged with the production side of her advertising experience, and she started a film production company.

Young Filmmaker - Gabriele Muccino

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:10:28 -0400

Born in 1967, Gabriele Muccino attended film school in Rome and has become a successful filmmaker in his native Italy. Winning an award for his film The Last Kiss (L'ultimo bacio) at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival helped bring his talent to American attention, introducing him to his next phase of filmmaking.

Young Filmmaker – Drew Barrymore

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:05:03 -0400

At age eight, Drew Barrymore became a world star for her role as the little sister in the1982 blockbuster E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, although it was by no means her first role. Born into one of Hollywood's legendary families, Barrymore's success carries on the tradition of her Barrymore and Drew relatives.

Young Filmmaker – Badr Ben Hirsi

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:57:20 -0400

Badr Ben Hirsi grew up in London, where his family went into exile during Yemen's revolution in the 1960s. He earned a master of arts degree in drama production. In 1995 a visit to Yemen led to his making of The English Sheikh and the Yemeni Gentleman, which has been described as a lyrical documentary.

Young Filmmaker – Annie Sundberg

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:54:36 -0400

Starting her career as a reader for Miramax, Annie Sundberg has worked in the genres of reality TV, documentary, short, drama, and independent film, as a writer, director, producer, and cinematographer. Her film The Trials of Daryl Hunt, was nominated for Independent Spirit and Sundance Grand Jury awards.

Young Filmmaker - Alfonso Cuarón

Susan Doner — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:51:05 -0400

Over the years Alfonso Cuarón has made a number of films adapted from literature, from The Little Princess to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In 2007 two of his films were widely heralded: Pan's Labyrinth, which he produced, and Children of Men (also based on a novel), which he cowrote and directed.

A Film Festival in Your Living Room

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:54:14 -0400

Two documentary television series bring stories from around the world to home viewers in the United States and eight other countries, and producers plan to expand their reach in coming years.

Sundance—Supporting the Work of Independent Filmmakers Worldwide

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:15:45 -0400

The 10-day Sundance Film Festival, one of the most respected film festivals in the United States, is presented annually in January in the snowy mountains of Park City, Utah.

The Digital Revolution

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:13:08 -0400

Filmmakers first used digital technology in the 1980s to create fantastic new kinds of images for the screen. Since then, increasingly sophisticated tools have made it possible to produce, market, and distribute motion pictures digitally.

Hollywood Goes Green

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:08:55 -0400

Making movies can be a messy business, especially from an environmental point of view. "Lights, camera, action" often means buildings and sets are built for temporary use, scripts need to be printed, people must be fed and kept warm or cool, and action scenes may require explosions and pyrotechnics.

Internet Resources

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:33:34 -0400

Fields of Dreams: American Sports Movies

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:58:08 -0400

Reflecting Americans' love for sports of all kinds, U.S. filmmakers turn repeatedly to sports themes to convey messages much larger than the stories themselves.

Coming to America

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:50:34 -0400

Foreign films achieved a high level of distinction and visibility in the United States this year, but the international movie scene has been long in development. The author traces the roots of this phenomenon and discusses the reasons for "the increasingly accented cinema seen in America."

What's American About American Movies?

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:36:15 -0400

The American film industry, despite its critics, continues to dominate the world market for movies. The author discusses why this is and relates the impact of several recent movies in the United States and abroad.

About This Issue — Beyond Blockbusters

Janine Perry — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:31:52 -0400

The late film director Richard Brooks once said, "The images come first, and with images, like music, the primary reaction is emotional." The extraordinary popularity of movies made through the Hollywood system among audiences the world over for more than 100 years testifies to this core truth.

Stanley Cup Is a Hockey Tradition

Paul Levitan — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:15:50 -0400

Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom was the first European captain to lead an NHL team to victory in the Stanley Cup finals. The victorious captain will take the Stanley Cup back to Sweden as part of a traditional day with the cup accorded to each player from the winning team.

Internet Resources

Janelle Simmons — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:57:51 -0400

In Their Own Words

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:14:53 -0400

There is no shortage of books, articles, and academic research papers describing teenage life and behavior in the United States. Rather than add more adult voices to the mountain of analysis and opinion, we decided to ask teens to tell us a bit about themselves.

Greetings from the First Lady

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:58:20 -0400

The essays and reflections in this e-journal will give you a glimpse into some of the many ways a teenager's day might unfold in the United States, as well as an insight into his or her goals, ambitions, and concerns.

Touching Hearts and Minds

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:51:11 -0400

A veteran high school English teacher discusses the joys and frustrations of teaching at a metropolitan school in the United States. With all their successes and problems, schools invariably are reflections of the society they serve.

How We Go To School

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:27:01 -0400

Education in the United States is locally controlled and administered. Consequently, there is a great deal of variation from one state to another, and even within a state.

School At Home

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:03:47 -0400

Home schooling has grown over the past 20 years or so for a variety of reasons. Some families choose it for religious reasons. Others do it believing their children will learn better at home than they would in a classroom full of students.

From Central Europe to Northern Ohio

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:55:50 -0400

The International Student Exchange makes it possible for students around the world to attend schools in countries other than their own. During the 2004-2005 school year, three exchange students came to Amherst, Ohio to spend their 11th grade year at the Marion L. Steele High School.

Rite of Passage

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:22:08 -0400

Images from graduation week at a high school in the state of Virginia
reflect activities common to high schools throughout the United States.

Bibliography

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:03:47 -0400

Internet Resources

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:56:14 -0400

Scoring Young As an Athlete and a Student

Janine Perry — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:45:27 -0400

International football phenomenon Freddy Adu says neighborhood friends and classmates helped him adapt to life in the United States when he emigrated from Ghana with his family at the age of eight.

Afghan Art Treasures Begin U.S. Tour at National Gallery

Ralph Dannheisser — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:35:35 -0400

A traveling exhibition of Afghan art treasures, now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, displays priceless antiquities that reveal Afghanistan’s historical position at the crossroads of many civilizations. Virtually all of the 228 objects on display date back some two millennia or more.

Artists with Disabilities Shine at Washington’s Kennedy Center

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:01:51 -0400

The 2008 VSA arts International Young Soloists competition, which recognizes outstanding musicians and vocalists with physical disabilities, awarded top honors to an oud player from Jordan and a Senegalese hip-hop group, among others.

Children's Sport Gains Popularity as Adult Game and Social Event

Michelle Austein — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:36:07 -0400

A decade ago, some friends in their 20s decided it would be fun to play one of their favorite childhood games -- kickball. The group found a few others interested in playing kickball as well, and the World Adult Kickball Association was born. Today, the organization has more than 49,000 members.

Asian Americans First Won Olympic Gold 60 Years Ago

Melody Merin — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:12:23 -0400

In 1948 in London, Sammy Lee and Victoria Manalo-Draves became the first Asian-American athletes to win gold medals at the Summer Olympics. Overcoming discrimination to train and compete, the two paved the way for the many Asian-American Olympic athletes who would follow.

John Updike Explores How Art Mirrors America’s Soul

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:13:21 -0400

Author John Updike, delivering the 2008 Jefferson Lecture on the Humanities, cites several works by major U.S. artists that explore the question “What is American about American art?” Meanwhile, a new program brings reproductions of these works to students all across the United States.

Guide for New U.S. Immigrants Comes in 13 Languages

Louise Fenner — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:54:47 -0400

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated a free booklet Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants, adding Polish and Urdu to the other languages in which it is available: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese.

This Crutch That I Love

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:30:26 -0400

Palestinian-American and Guggenheim Fellow Naomi Shihab Nye has edited six prize-winning anthologies of poetry for young readers, and produced her own youth-oriented fiction, including the award-winning Habibi. She has visited schools and localities in the U.S. and abroad through the Arts America program.

A Provincial Sense of Time

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:33:55 -0400

Poet Laureate of the United States from 1997 to 2000, Robert Pinsky remains a leading champion of poetry in contemporary America. He has edited a number of editing popular anthologies, appeared frequently pm television, and written for popular publications. He teaches creative writing at Boston University.

On Being an American Writer

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:21:26 -0400

The author of novels, short stories, and social commentary, Indian-American Bharati Mukherjee often explores the immigrant experience. She has taught at a number of colleges including most recently the University of California, Berkeley. Her most recent novel is Desirable Daughter (Hyperion, 2002).

An American Milk Bottle

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:16:25 -0400

1998 MacArthur Fellow Charles Johnson has won the National Book Award for his novel Middle Passage. His work spans literary criticism, screenwriting, philosophy, and cartooning (over 1,000 drawings published). His work has been translated into seven languages. He teaches at the University of Washington.

Both Sides of the Border

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:11:51 -0400

A former U.S. diplomat in Turkey, Paraguay, Bolivia, Spain and Honduras and a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Paraguay, Mark Jacobs has published four books. His short stories – over 60 of them – appear in the Atlantic Monthly and the Kenyon Review. He is a 1998 winner of the Iowa Review fiction award.

For Life’s Sake

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:07:29 -0400

How Does Being an American Inform What I Write?

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:53:45 -0400

Richard Ford has been honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, and the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story. His novels and stories have been translated into 23 languages. As an essayist, he has contributed to the New Yorker and the New York Times.

On Being an American Historian

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:47:01 -0400

David Herbert Donald is Charles Warren Professor of American History and Professor of American Civilization Emeritus at Harvard University. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, his Lincoln appeared for 14 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. He studies the American Civil War era.

America’s American

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:42:09 -0400

A leading modernist poet since the 1950s, Robert Creeley is the author of more than 60 volumes of poetry and more than a dozen books of prose and other essays. He has won many important awards and fellowships, and, as editor of the Black Mountain Review, nurtured the careers of many younger poets.

What’s American about American Poetry?

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:30:47 -0400

The author of seven poetry collections, Billy Collins has published in Poetry, the American Poetry Review, Harper's, the Atlantic Monthly, the American Scholar, the Paris Review and The New Yorker. He was appointed United States Poet Laureate for 2001–2003 and teaches at a number of leading universities.

Maps and Legends

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:23:09 -0400

A Postcard from America

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:14:45 -0400

Robert Olen Butler, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, has published 12 books since 1981, including 10 novels. His short fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, the Paris Review, Harper's, GQ, Hudson Review, the Virginia Quarterly Review, the Sewanee Review, and other publications.

The Compulsory Power of American Dreams

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:07:32 -0400

Described by one commentator as "the modern master of the literary essay," Latvian-American Sven Birkerts has published a number of well-received volumes on literary and cultural topics. essays and reviews have appeared in the New York Times Book Review, the New Republic, and other leading publications.

I, Too, Sing America

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:00:24 -0400

Latina magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 2000, Julia Alvarez immigrated to the United States when she was young, studied at Middlebury College and Syracuse University, and has published novels, prize-winning verse, and books for young readers. Much of her work draws on Dominican storytelling traditions.

Just Off Main Street

Amor Safi — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:52:16 -0400

Elmaz Abinader is a widely anthologized Arab-American author, poet and performance artist whose work has been printed and performed throughout the United States and the Middle East. She currently teaches creative writing at Mills College, Oakland, California and has been a Fulbright senior scholar in Egypt.

U.S. Publishers Work to Correct Literary “Trade Imbalance”

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:10:09 -0400

An alliance of U.S. publishers, booksellers and literature promoters is trying to raise the general U.S. reading public’s awareness of foreign literature. Despite common perceptions to the contrary, U.S. readers “do want to read literature in translation and they aren’t afraid of it,” says one publisher.

Introduction: Writers on America

Amor Safi — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:58:59 -0400

The State Department commissioned a group of American poets, novelists, critics, and historians to write an essay on what it means to be an American writer. The first thing that strikes one about the responses is how varied these essays are. Ask 15 creative individualists the same question, and naturally you will get 15 different answers.

Memorial Day Holiday Honors American War Dead

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:35:28 -0400

The Memorial Day holiday celebrated by Americans on the last Monday of May represents for many the unofficial beginning of summer. But most will pause at some point to recall the holiday’s true purpose: honoring those who died defending their nation.

Muslim Chaplaincy Student Wants to Help the Poor, Homeless

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:37:32 -0400

Ra’ufa Tuell, an American convert to Islam, has enrolled in a Muslim chaplaincy program with the aim of helping the poor, the homeless and the battered. Learning about Islam and Muslim culture and getting to know other Muslims have been the most important aspects of the seminary experience for her.

U.S. Minority Population Continues to Grow

David Minckler — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:05:18 -0400

More than one-third of the population of the United States claims “minority” racial or ethnic heritage, 11 percent more than in 2000. Hispanics and Asians continue to be the two fastest-growing minority groups.

Steichen: A Legend Who Reimagined Portrait Photography

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:11:30 -0400

A new exhibition, Edward Steichen: Portraits, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington explores how Steichen created iconic images of famous people -- and, in the process, helped transform popular culture in the United States.

Links: Outline of American Geography

Amor Safi — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:07:45 -0400

“Trinity” of Sports Demonstrates American Beliefs

Craig A. Forney — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:50:28 -0400

The favorite American games of football, baseball and basketball illustrate a striving to reconcile individual freedom and competition with sacrifice and cooperation in pursuit of the common good, argues Craig A. Forney, a professor of religious studies.

Baseball Museum Honors Negro League Players

Kathryn Mcconnell — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:52:49 -0400

In 1996, the U.S. Congress designated a small museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as America’s National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, lifting its status to a national destination for anyone seeking to know more about the ways that racial segregation affected what is known as "America's pastime."

Ellis Island Honors Immigrants to United States

Melody Merin — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:50:49 -0400

Some 40 percent of Americans can trace their ancestry to immigrants who passed through the Ellis Island immigration center between 1892 and 1954. Each year, the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards honor the accomplishments of these immigrants, such as songwriter Irving Berlin, and their descendants.

Hawaii

Amor Safi — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:40:25 -0400

The Hawaiian archipelago is a string of islands and reefs, 3,300 kilometers long, that forms a broad arc in the mid-Pacific. The archipelago begins in the east with the island of Hawaii and ends almost at the international date line with a small speck in the ocean called Kure Atoll.

The Northlands

Amor Safi — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:34:59 -0400

Extending as far south as the northern Great Lakes states and including the interior to the Canadian border, as well as parts of Alaska, the Northlands remains sparsely settled. The inhospitable nature of the physical environment plus the consequent thinness of settlement give the Northlands its special character.

The North Pacific Coast

Amor Safi — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:29:38 -0400

The North Pacific Coast is defined primarily on the basis of its physical environment. Stated very simply, it is a region strongly subject to maritime influence and rugged terrain.

Population of the 25 Largest U.S. Cities, 1994

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:59:35 -0400

States and Capitals

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:49:56 -0400

California

Amor Safi — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:22:53 -0400

California is home to more than 10 percent of all Americans and a central element in the American cultural fabric.

No Joke! Stand-up Comedians Battle Intolerance

Ralph Dannheisser — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:58:16 -0400

The comedy show "Make Chai, Not War" fights stereotypes and promotes diversity by “pushing people a little bit out of their comfort zones,” says one of its performers, Indian-American Rajiv Satyal. Satyal, a Hindu, and comedians of four other religions show it is OK to laugh at myths and misperceptions about each other.

Cinco de Mayo Shows the Americanization of a Mexican Holiday

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:08:58 -0400

The Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) holiday, which honors the Mexican heritage of a growing number of U.S. citizens, is now observed in communities all across the United States. As a celebration of all things Mexican, the holiday has become a vibrant annual event that recognizes the contributions of Mexican Americans in a variety of fields.

Themes and Regions

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:33:24 -0400

This publication is about the geography of the United States. Although we look at the country's physical geography, our central interest is not landforms, climate, soils, or vegetation but the human imprint on the landscape.

Glossary: An Outline of American Geography

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:03:14 -0400

The Southwest Border Area

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:17:45 -0400

The Southwest border is one of the most widely recognized yet one of the most transitionary regions of America. The region includes the broad flatlands of the lower Rio Grande Valley; the plateaus of New Mexico; the dramatic mesas, buttes, and deserts of Arizona; and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico.

The Empty Interior

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:02:25 -0400

Stretching from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains westward to the Sierra Nevada of California, to the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest and into Alaska, is the largest area of sparse population in America. Its low average population density is the key identifying feature of this region.

The Great Plains and Prairies

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:41:11 -0400

The largest portion of the Great Plains is the High Plains stretching along the western margin of the region from south Texas northward to southern Nebraska.

The Agricultural Core

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:37:16 -0400

The Agricultural Core is a culture region based on an accumulated mix of habits, attitudes, and reactions to the traditional opportunities for livelihood and contact with other groups within the region.

The Southern Coastlands

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:28:13 -0400

The southern margins of the United States – the Southern Coastlands – is as distinct from the Southwest Border Area as are any other two adjacent regions in America.

The Deep South

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:24:30 -0400

The region of southern culture – the Deep South – can be viewed as a geographic composite of beliefs, attitudes, patterns, habits, and institutions. Many of the early patterns and current changes are explicitly geographic; many others have geographic consequences.

Appalachia and the Ozarks

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:20:03 -0400

The Appalachian Uplands, stretching from New York to Alabama, and the area of the Ozark-Ouachita mountains are separated by some 400 kilometers of land. They are two parts of a single physiographic province that have a strong topographic similarity and an unusually close association between topography and human settlement.

The Bypassed East

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:14:11 -0400

A map of America's eastern seaboard reveals a lack of large cities along the coast north of Boston. Few major overland routes extend inland from this coast, and interior cities are smaller than those along the ocean. This area is referred to as the Bypassed East, comprising northern New England and Adirondacks of New York.

The Manufacturing Core

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:09:03 -0400

Manufacturing is an important economic activity in the United States. The evidence of this is everywhere – in articles of clothing, items of preserved food, residential structures, means of transport and communication, and many other things

Megalopolis

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:04:35 -0400

In 1961, a French geographer published a monumental study of the highly urbanized region located in the northeastern United States. Professor Jean Gottmann spent 20 years researching the area extending from southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.

Foundations of Human Activity

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:00:26 -0400

The country that came to be the United States had a small, dispersed native population at the time of initial European discovery, totaling perhaps 800,000 people, most organized in small tribal units.

The Physical Environment

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:56:40 -0400

Geographers with an interest in landform development place this expanse of flat land and gently rolling hills in three different physiographic regions – the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, the interior lowland (which some split into the Great Plains and the interior plains), and the Canadian Shield.

A Brief Tour of the United States – New England

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:47:19 -0400

Although the smallest region geographically and one not blessed with large expanses of rich farmland or a mild climate, New England played a dominant role in American development. From the 17th century until well into the 19th, New England was the country's cultural and economic center.

A Brief Tour of the United States – The Mid-Atlantic

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:46:33 -0400

The region's largest states, New York and Pennsylvania, became centers of heavy industry. Early settlers were mostly farmers and traders, and the region served as a bridge between North and South.

A Brief Tour of the United States – The West

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:45:39 -0400

Americans have long regarded the West as the last frontier, but California has a history of settlement older than most Midwestern states. It is a region of scenic beauty on a grand scale, ranging from lush forests in the northern portion to vast deserts in the south.

A Brief Tour of the United States – The South

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:44:29 -0400

The South was first settled by English Protestants. New Englanders tended to stress their differences from the old country, Southerners tended to emulate the English. Southerners were prominent among the leaders of the American Revolution, and four of America's first five presidents were Virginians.

A Brief Tour of the United States – Conclusion

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:43:44 -0400

It is important to remember that, although the country is very large and the regions diverse, there are more similarities than differences among the people who call themselves "American."

A Brief Tour of the United States – The Midwest

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:41:26 -0400

The Midwest is a cultural crossroads. Starting in the early 1800s, Easterners moved there in search of better farmland, and soon Europeans migrated directly to the interior. The region's fertile soil made it possible for farmers to produce an abundant harvest.

Bibliography: Outline of American Literature

Amor Safi — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:48:31 -0400

Contemporary American Literature

Amor Safi — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:42:19 -0400

Literature in the United States today is likewise dazzlingly diverse, exciting, and evolving. New voices have arisen from many quarters, challenging old ideas and adapting literary traditions to suit changing conditions of the national life.

Modernism and Experimentation: 1914-1945

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:10:01 -0400

Just like their contemporaries in other Western nations, American writers of this era (F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot) voiced post-World War I disillusionment, as well as other European intellectual currents, particularly Freudian psychology and to a lesser extent Marxism.

The Rise of Realism: 1860-1914

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:52:10 -0400

The U.S. Civil War (1861-1865), a watershed in American history, also prompted a more realist vision among the great novelists of this period: Mark Twain and Henry James.

The Romantic Period, 1820-1860: Fiction

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:41:45 -0400

The first great literary generation produced in the United States included great novelists: Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe, who saw their works to communicate complex and subtle meanings.

The Romantic Period, 1820-1860: Essayists and Poets

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:28:02 -0400

The spirit of Romanticism was particularly suited to American democracy, its poets, and its essayists: It stressed individualism, affirmed the value of the common person, and looked to the inspired imagination for its aesthetic and ethical values.

Contemporary American Poetry

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:32:08 -0400

The ferment of American poetry since 1990 makes the field decentralized and hard to define. However, it is possible to envision a continuum, with poetry of the speaking, subjective self on one end, poetry of the world on the other, and a large middle range in which self and world merge.

American Prose, 1945-1990: Realism and Experimentation

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:17:49 -0400

As in the first half of the 20th century, fiction in the second half reflected the character of each decade. It was vitalized by international currents such as European existentialism and Latin American magical realism, while the electronic era brought the global village.

American Poetry, 1945-1990: The Anti-Tradition

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:03:18 -0400

Post-World War II American poetry was decentralized, richly varied, and difficult to summarize. It produced three overlapping camps – the traditional on one end, the idiosyncratic in the middle, and the experimental on the other end.

Democratic Origins and Revolutionary Writers, 1776-1820

Amor Safi — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:46:55 -0400

Just as they declared independence from Britain, Americans had to declare independence from English literary models. The search for a native literature became a national obsession.

My America: The City and the Dream

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:13:44 -0400

At its core, the American dream is childlike. As we grow older, at times disquieted by fear, the dream remains relentless, continuous. My fortune may never be fancy cars or a penthouse apartment. But still the dream continues to inspire, so that one day I am confident I will be my own American success.

My America: The New World

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:12:50 -0400

I love America not because I am under the illusion that it is perfect, but because it allows me — the child of Muslim immigrants from India — to participate in its progress, to carve a place in its promise, to play a role in its possibility.

Brief Tour Of The United States - Introduction

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:11:58 -0400

Richard Huckaby, a foreign service officer who coordinates the State Department's electronic journals, presents one view of what the regions are and how they differ.

Pluralism and Democracy

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:10:15 -0400

United States has a decentralized structure of government. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution were extremely wary of the potential dangers of concentrating power in any single political institution, and so deliberately undertook to divide authority among different branches and levels of government.

My America: An Airman's Story

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:09:26 -0400

I remember listening to my teachers talk about people who wanted to come to the United States to find a better life. America was the land of opportunity and had streets paved with gold. I've never come across any of those streets, but there's always been plenty of opportunity in this country for those willing to take advantage of it.

My America: Coloring Outside The Lines

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:07:01 -0400

What do the faces of today's American family look like to you? Do you picture tall, athletic blond parents and their 2.5 children? Perhaps they stand in front of a pretty house? Inside the home there are McDonald's bags on the kitchen counter, Coca-Colas in the refrigerator, and MTV playing in the background.

The American Cultural Tapestry

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:04:49 -0400

The issue facing America today is not how to get rid of differences, but rather how to manage a society with so many differences. The United State s has always been very diverse, but it is no longer simply a matter of bringing together different European nationalities and ethnic groups.

My America: The Meaning Of America

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:03:16 -0400

I am a California baby who crossed the continent to Boston. Here, on the eastern seaboard, everything is utterly different from what I knew, culturally, as a landscape, and as a home, and yet I recognize it as American. I often imagine the 3,000 miles in between my first home and my new one.

Introduction to My America

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:02:03 -0400

We invited five young writers from around the United States to write about what they thought was important to tell international readers of their own age about this country. These essays, could provide a fuller picture of USA and its people than may be conveyed through movies or international TV.

Internet Resources

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:01:07 -0400

Five With Drive

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:49:13 -0400

Paul Malamud profiles entrepreneur Jennifer Wright-Tubbs, creator of iRUNLIKEAGIRL; “Poor People’s Doctor Paul Farmer; high-fashion designer and winner on Project Runway Chloe Dao; Russian immigrant student and NYTimes scholarship winner Anna Umanskaya, counselor to ex-convicts Julio Medina.

About This Issue

Janelle Simmons — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:48:03 -0400

Our goal is for readers to know not just that California is the most populous state, but also that U.S. democracy runs on a system of checks and balances, that the feelings young Americans have may be similar to the readers' own, and much more.

Business and Activism Intersect for Designer Kenneth Cole

Lea Terhune — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:52:30 -0400

Kenneth Cole, successful fashion designer, has aired his concerns about social issues in magazines and on billboards for years. In 2008, he launched an “AWEARNESS” blog and a fashion ad campaign themed “We all walk in different shoes,” a series of ads highlighting diversity of ethnicity, life choices, politics and even physical handicaps.

New Exhibition Resurrects Legacy of Groundbreaking Photographer

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:02:11 -0400

A new exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington resurrects the nearly forgotten legacy of Zaida Ben-Yusuf, a pioneering photographer whose striking portraits of illustrious Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries helped elevate photography to the status of a fine art.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month a Celebration of Diversity

Louise Fenner — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:10:03 -0400

Throughout May, Americans celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with community festivals, parades and cultural performances. People of Asian descent comprise the third largest minority group -- and the second fastest-growing group -- in the United States, constituting about 5 percent of the U.S. population.

Early American and Colonial Period to 1776

Amor Safi — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:51:12 -0400

The foundation of American literature begins with the orally transmitted myths, legends, tales, and lyrics of Native-American cultures. The second and dominant influence came from the English colonists that began arriving in the 1600s.

Traditional Baseball Song Turns 100

Jaroslaw Anders — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:27:13 -0400

America’s favorite baseball song is 100 years old. Standing up and singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch is an enduring sports tradition and part of the U.S. baseball culture. Americas.gov looks at the colorful history of this iconic American classic.

Kansas City Celebrates Its Legacy of Jazz

Kathryn McConnell — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:01:56 -0400

"While New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, America's music grew up in Kansas City," brags a Kansas City Web site. The American Jazz Museum in the city’s historic 18th and Vine district draws visitors from around the world who want to explore America's rich culture of jazz or hear live music.

New Intercountry Adoption Standards Implemented in United States

Derek Repp — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:34:31 -0400

Following the entry in force in the United States of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, the U.S. departments of State and Homeland Security implement new procedures to help ensure that foreign children being adopted into the United States receive the highest level of protection.

Olympic Sports Administration in the United States

Charlene Porter — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:24:35 -0400

U.S. athletes who dream of competing in the Olympics will rely on private contributions, corporate donations and the work of many volunteers. Unlike in many other nations, the federal government does not provide significant financial support for sport endeavors. Instead, a broad, grassroots network of organizations performs that function.

Women Deserve More Credit for Their Inventions, Author Says

Melody Merin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:03:04 -0400

Women have been discovering, innovating and inventing throughout history, and it is time to give them the credit they deserve, says author Ethlie Ann Vare. Her 1988 book Mothers of Invention was the first book in America on women inventors, and she has published two more on the neglected subject since.

Wilma Pearl Mankiller

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:56:24 -0400

Maya Ying Lin

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:52:18 -0400

Maya Lin became a controversial figure at the age of 21, when she won first prize in the design competition for a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Clara Harlowe Barton

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:49:57 -0400

Clara Barton's devotion to victims of war and natural disasters did not end with the Civil War in 1865. She went on to become the founder of the American Red Cross, and worked for decades to persuade the U.S. government to recognize the organization.

Anne Dudley Bradstreet: An American Poet

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:46:44 -0400

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:44:51 -0400

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of first lady during her husband Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency of the United States (1932-1945). She was inspirational to millions around the world by giving a voice to the powerless: minorities, women, the poor, and the disadvantaged.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:01:34 -0400

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the major forces behind the empowerment of women in the United States and throughout the world. In particular, she was a founder and leader of the 19th-century women's rights movement, which in 1920 won American women the right to vote.

A Woman's Right to Vote

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:53:32 -0400

The political insight of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her equally famous partner in the 19th-century women's rights movement, Susan B. Anthony, was that in order to change society, you have to change public opinion first.

A Woman's Right to Vote

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:08:53 -0400

Sheila Crump Johnson

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:54:00 -0400

Sheila C. Johnson is a businesswoman, a musician, a philanthropist, and reportedly the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. She is also one of the few women in the United States who owns a professional sports team.

Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:05:04 -0400

Rosalyn Yalow was awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine, the most prominent scores of prizes and honorary degrees in recognition of her achievements.

Jane Addams

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:20:26 -0400

Jane Addams, an internationally known advocate for the poor, a pacifist, a reformer, a leader in progressive groups, and the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Nellie Bly

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:15:50 -0400

Elizabeth Cochrane assumed the pen name "Nellie Bly" when she was about 21 years old, and wrote her way into worldwide fame in what had been the man's world of journalism.

Sandra Day O'Connor

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:32:39 -0400

Sandra Day O'Connor, the woman whom President Ronald Reagan appointed as the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:23:18 -0400

Hattie Caraway was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in her own right.

Jeannette Pickering Rankin

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:20:12 -0400

Jeannette Rankin took her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives – the first woman to be elected to either chamber – on April 2, 1917.

Susan Brownell Anthony

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:31:03 -0400

Susan B. Anthony came from the Northeast, and began her life under the tutelage of a strong-willed father. Born in Adams, Massachusetts, Anthony grew up in the home of a successful businessman, Quaker, and abolitionist. She was known as a gifted child, reportedly able to read and write at the age of three.

Harriet Tubman: Leader of the Underground Railroad

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:02:45 -0400

Harriet Tubman, born a slave in Dorchester County, Maryland, was an extraordinary African-American woman who courageously freed herself from slavery by running away to safe haven in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania.

Sojourner Truth: Antislavery Activist, Advocate of Women's Rights

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:57:31 -0400

Sojourner Truth, an ardent abolitionist and a proponent of women's rights, found her voice in the early 1840s.

Abigail Smith Adams: “Remember the Ladies”

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:36:54 -0400

Abigail Adams, wife of the second president of the United States and mother of the sixth, multiple claims to fame also rest on her championing of women's rights, including the right to an education.

Anne Marbury Hutchinson

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:35:39 -0400

The core American concepts of freedom of religion and freedom of speech had one of their earliest advocates in Anne Marbury Hutchinson.

Pocahontas: A Symbol of Peace

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:07:24 -0400

Pocahontas, born around 1595 in the Algonquin tribe of American Indians, became the subject of legend. She was, in fact, a woman who sought to bring peace to the lives of the United States' first settlers and to her own people.

Sacagawea: An Explorer of Extraordinary Talent

Amor Safi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 08:59:27 -0400

Sacagawea , a member of the Lemhi band of the Shoshone Indian tribe in present-day Idaho, demonstrated her strength and intelligence during the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the lands leading to the Pacific Coast of North America.

The Flowering of the Individual, Part II

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:35:00 -0400

Louise Gluck, Billie Collins, Sherman Alexis, and Amy Tam are featured here among contemporary writers who lay claim to the worth of the individual identity.

Life of Nobel Laureate and Africanist Ralph Bunche Honored

Melissa Martinez — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:29:06 -0400

The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs honors Ralph Johnson Bunche, a scholar, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, career diplomat and Africanist who sought to study and understand Africa from the African point of view. The occasion celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Africa Bureau’s founding.

Early American and Colonial Period

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:53:19 -0400

The Flowering of the Individual, Part I

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:04:38 -0400

The rise of mass individualism -- as well as the civil rights and antiwar movements of the 1960s -- empowered previously muted voices. Examples here include Sylviv Plath, Allen Ginsberg, Saul Bellow, and Ralph Ellison.

Arab Americans Present “Spirit of Humanity” Awards

Nino Kader — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:05:27 -0400

Hundreds of Americans, many of Arab origin, attend the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards ceremony. The awards, created to celebrate the life of Arab-American writer Gibran Kahlil Gibran, recognize individuals and groups whose work "promotes inclusion, cultural understanding and cooperation across ethnic, racial and religious lines."

Modernism and Experimentation

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:44:02 -0400

The Rise of Realism

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:42:06 -0400

The U.S. Civil War (1861-1865), a watershed in American history, also prompted a more realist vision among the great novelists of this period: Mark Twain and Henry James.

The Romantic Period, Fiction

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:41:01 -0400

The Romantic Period, Essayists and Poets

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:39:51 -0400

Democratic Origins and Post-Revolutionary Writers

Amor Safi — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:34:41 -0400

Just as they declared independence from Britain, Americans had to declare independence from English literary models. The search for a native literature became a national obsession.

Poetic Theater Ensemble Enthralls Audiences on Six-Nation Tour

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:02:45 -0400

A New York-based poetic theater ensemble called Universes -- which fuses elements of hip-hop, blues, jazz, gospel and Spanish bolero -- discusses a recent overseas tour to Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Romania, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom that has broadened the group’s fan base and musical horizons.

Baseball Honors Jackie Robinson, Who Integrated Game in 1947

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:19:43 -0400

Americans pay tribute to Jackie Robinson, a baseball star who on April 15, 1947, broke the color line that had kept African Americans out of the majors. But Robinson was more than a baseball player; he also was a civil rights activist who began his work in the Army and who later used his celebrity to push a vision of racial justice.

Poetry of Rumi a Unifying Force of Civilizations

Anjum Naim — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:26:50 -0400

The 13-century Persian poet, philosopher and mystic known as Rumi is one of the most widely read poets in the United States. In an interview with SPAN, surgeon and translator Dr. Nevit Ergin says Rumi's popularity may be due to American “spiritual hunger” and the inadequacy of material comforts alone in the pursuit of happiness.

U.S. Olympic Basketball Continues Quest for Gold

Paul Levitan — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:18:21 -0400

The U.S. Olympic basketball team goes to Beijing with a special mission: to recapture the gold medal for the first time since 2000. The team is planning to field basketball standouts, and it will be directed by renowned Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski. But experts say the Americans face steep competition.

Sada Cumber Discusses New Role as U.S. Special Envoy to OIC

Amor Safi — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:09:27 -0400

Sada Cumber, U.S. special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, authors an op-ed for the pan-Arab newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat on the United States, Islam and the future of the American and Muslim communities. Cumber, an American Muslim investor and entrepreneur based in Texas, was appointed by President Bush in February.

U.S. Adopters of Foreign Orphans Undergo Tough Scrutiny

Derek Repp — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:53:56 -0400

The United States adopts more children from abroad than all other countries combined. This is because of a culture of adoption in America, where a child does not have to be genetically linked to its parents to be loved, experts say. Strong institutional safeguards protecting children’s rights and well-being also play a role.

More Safety, Minimal Inconvenience

Janelle Simmons — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:49:33 -0400

The cost that I, a visitor, now pay for doing my part for better security is minimal, and one which I am quite happy to bear.

Chicago’s 2016 Olympic Bid Emphasizes Accessibility

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:17:44 -0400

Chicago promises to make the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics accessible, spectacular and user-friendly if awarded the right to host the games. The U.S. metropolis is among seven cities competing for that privilege. Chicago is attempting to distinguish its bid by promising to make the games as easy as possible.

Kite-Flying Contest Part of U.S.-China Friendship Series

Eric Green — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:36:46 -0400

The Smithsonian Institution’s 42nd annual kite festival on the National Mall in Washington features the art and history of Chinese kites. The festival is tied to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where athletes from some 200 nations are expected to compete.

Information Resources on the Olympic Games

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:28:17 -0400

A variety of resources are available for further information on the Olympic Games.

You Lose a Lot of Games to Get There

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:13:54 -0400

A former U.S. Olympic soccer (football) player recalls the 1988 games in Seoul when U.S. soccer made a breakthrough in international rankings. The U.S. men lost, but competed well against strong rivals, Tab Ramos remembers. “As long as you’re doing what you can to help your team, then you should be proud of that,” he writes.

About This Issue

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:52:01 -0400

The editors of the eJournal USA The Olympic Experience discuss the issues covered in the journal.

Women Go from Spectators to Champions

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:51:15 -0400

The participation of female athletes in Olympic events was banned in ancient Greece, but in the 21st century women have risen to high levels in international sports. Women are 40 percent of the competitors in the Olympic Games, and they also have become influential leaders in national and international sports organizations.

Hearing My National Anthem

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:49:39 -0400

Barely a year after declaring its independence from Yugoslavia, Slovenia was able to send a team to the Olympic Games in 1992. Slovenian rower Iztok Cop became the first athlete to win a medal for the newly independent nation, and he describes his pride for himself and his country. Cop will go to the Olympics for the fifth time in 2008.

Everything Else Stops

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:53:50 -0400

Romanian Olympic gold medalist Gabriela Szabo describes the experience of running the final yards of a 5,000-meter race in detail -- from the sounds in her ears to the pain in her legs. The world-class athlete also recalls her experiences in the Olympic Games and explains how she helps motivate youngsters in sports today.

Pope Benedict’s First U.S. Visit Draws Large, Lively Crowds

Louise Fenner — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:08:33 -0400

President Bush welcomes Pope Benedict XVI on the South Lawn of the White House April 16 in one of the largest arrival ceremonies ever held at the White House, saying Americans are “open to your message of hope.” The pontiff’s April 15-20 visit to Washington and New York is his first trip to the United States as pope.

The “Greatest Foot Race” Goes to Dust

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:11:39 -0400

A veteran British sportswriter remembers the Seoul Games of 1988 as a culture shock. As a Westerner in an Asian culture, on the wave of technological changes, James Mossop also witnessed one of the first major doping scandals in the Olympic movement when Canadian Ben Johnson was stripped of a gold medal for drug use.

“There’s Something Happening in the Olympic Village”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:08:57 -0400

The idealism of the Olympic spirit was temporarily shattered in Munich, Germany, in 1972 when terrorists kidnapped Israeli Olympians and their coaches. A British sports writer recalls being drafted into coverage of this major political event, and the competition between rumor and real information at a time before cell phones and e-mail.

A Sense of the Water

Alexandra Abboud — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:01:31 -0400

U.S. swimmer Janet Evans competed in the Olympics for the first time at age 17, winning three gold medals. She was a more mature person at her last Olympics in 1996 and realized that the true honor of the experience was representing her country, and sharing the events with dedicated athletes from scores of nations.

Always Play for Big Goals

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:58:09 -0400

A three-time medalist returns to the Olympic Games in Beijing to coach the U.S. women’s basketball team. Dawn Staley recalls her rise from a neighborhood in Philadelphia to become a college basketball star, an Olympian and a player in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Today she helps young girls find their strengths in life.

A Journalistic Marathon

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:53:24 -0400

Journalists covering the Olympic Games keep a grueling pace, not so different from athletes' training. A Brazilian sportswriter recalls his experience covering the 2004 Athens Games, when he would cover and report on three events a day. He also describes maintaining a balance between his hopes for his team and objectivity as a journalist.

Giving Every Effort

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:35:06 -0400

U.S. Wrestler Rulon Gardner surprised the world at the 2000 Olympic Games when he defeated a longtime world champion for the gold medal. An accident and resulting injury almost prevented him from competing in the 2004 Games. In his own words, he explains how he met that challenge, and returned to compete again.

The Climax of Everything

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:55:08 -0400

Kenyan-born runner Bernard Lagat is likely to make his third trip to the Olympic Games in 2008, this time competing for the United States. Lagat tells how he came to the United States and gained citizenship at the same time that he rose to become one of the world’s greatest runners. Lagat won Olympic medals in 2000 and 2004.

The Crowd Lifted Us Up

Alexandra Abboud — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:16:30 -0400

Bart Conner recalls his award-winning career in gymnastics and his gold-medal winning performance at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. An injury months before the Games almost shattered his dream to compete, but he was able to recover in time. The enthusiasm of the U.S. crowds helped carry the gymnastic team to victory, he says.

“Spirit in Motion”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:07:57 -0400

Four thousand athletes with disabilities will participate in the Paralympic Games in Beijing in September. These games are devoted to enabling athletes of all types to compete on a world stage before a global audience. The Paralympic movement also works on the local level to help individuals enrich their lives through sport.

Olympic Ideals and World Realities

Charlene Porter — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:19:52 -0400

The city of Beijing was named as a host city for the Olympics seven years ago, but the final months before the events begin has brought a chorus of protests about having a totalitarian government as host to the games. In the meantime, the Chinese ready their country, and defend their fitness for the honor.

What’s New at the Beijing Games

Charlene Porter — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:20:19 -0400

Events in bicycle motocross and marathon swimming are the newest additions to the Olympic Games of 2008. The line-up of sports from one Olympiad to the next is a dynamic thing as trends in sports come and go through the decades. Tug-of-war, polo, and power boating are all events that have been dropped from competition.

Sports Films Celebrate American Brand of Perseverance

Yvette Ridenour — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:52:24 -0400

For more than 60 years, U.S. sports movies have celebrated the never-say-die spirit that emerges in the heat of athletic competition. The best of these films have illuminated the American tradition of finding a way to overcome overwhelming obstacles, sometimes even using the obstacles themselves as a path to victory.

Margaret Cochran Corbin

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:36:54 -0400

Margaret Cochran Corbin fought alongside her husband in the first two years of the War for Independence. She was the first woman whose valor and sacrifice were recognized with a U.S. government pension for disabled soldiers.

Birth of a Nation

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:50:14 -0400

Abigail Adams with her pen and Margaret Corbin behind a cannon showed that women were valuable partners in the creation of a democratic nation, the United States of America.

Birth of a Nation

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:07:47 -0400

Abigail Adams with her pen and Margaret Corbin behind a cannon showed that women were valuable partners in the creation of a democratic nation, the United States of America.

A Role in Government

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:03:38 -0400

Jeannette Rankin, Hattie Caraway, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Wilma Mankiller carved out careers in government and politics through leadership and tenacity.

Expanding Horizons

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:19:44 -0400

Beginning near the end of the 19^th century, American women began to enter a large number of professions. Outstanding examples include: Clara Barton (nursing), Jane Addams (social reformer), Nellie Bly (journalist), Rosalyn Yalow (Nobel Prize winner), Sheila Johnson (philanthropist), and Maya Lin (architect/sculptor).

Introduction: Women of Influence

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:18:24 -0400

In recent years more and more societies all over the world have begun to recognize the vital contributions of women to commerce, their communities, and civic life. This publication offers a glimpse at how women in one country – the United States – have helped shape their society.

Breaking the Chains of Slavery

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:12:39 -0400

Former slaves Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth gave personal testimony to the evils of slavery before and during the U.S. Civil War.

The Colonial Era

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:28:58 -0400

The achievements of the two women named Anne – Hutchinson and Bradstreet – highlight the courage, confidence, and devotion to learning it took to create a nation, the United States, out of primitive surroundings.

Guiding Lights to a New World

Mildred Neely — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:11:52 -0400

In colonial America, two Native-American women, Pocahontas and Sacagawea, acted as beacons, literally and figuratively, to the settlers they encountered.

Doing Business in the U.S.A. Today

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:46:34 -0400

An edited transcription of a free-flowing discussion between government and business experts on the issues of international business travel.

Bibliography of See You in the U.S.A.

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:45:01 -0400

Border Officers: First to Protect, First to Welcome

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:03:16 -0400

An officer who makes decisions about who can enter the United States talks about her job and the people she meets.

On The Other Side of The Visa Window

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:01:48 -0400

A visa officer at one of the largest embassies in the world describes his work.

A Musical Tour of America

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:57:54 -0400

A music historian offers suggestions for organizing your U.S. trip by visiting American shrines to the universal language: music.

About This Issue – See You in The U.S.A.

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:55:50 -0400

This eJournal USA brings together the information you need to make your trip to the United States as easy as possible.

A World-Class Education While Getting to Know the U.S.

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:54:57 -0400

Each year, the United States eagerly welcomes over half a million international students.

A Wonderful Experience

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:53:36 -0400

Students coming in for the first time should have an open mind and be ready from day one to soak in all that they can. There is tremendous opportunity here, and you should be prepared for a lot of hard work and hustle.

I Enter and Leave Without Problems

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:52:18 -0400

The perception exists that the tightened airport security is a deterrent to doing business in the United States — in my case, however, inconveniences have been minimal.

A Great Opportunity

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:48:27 -0400

Education in the United States widened my understanding of American culture and the way American society is organized and works.

A Decision You Will Never Regret

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:47:36 -0400

To students who wish to study in the United States, I want to say that this is a decision that you will never regret. The U.S. college system is unlike any other system in the world, and their liberal arts education is one of the best things you can ever experience.

U.S. Higher Education: The Financial Side

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:46:54 -0400

Not only is a U.S. education a good value giving high returns on your investment, there are many options for financing your studies.

Something for Everyone

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:45:31 -0400

The United States is a large, geographically and socially diverse nation. We welcome you to explore it.

International Admissions To U.S. Colleges

Janelle Simmons — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:44:35 -0400

An international education expert provides insights on negotiating the U.S. college admissions process.

Introduction – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Janelle Simmons — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:05:24 -0400

Deciphering the Visa Code

Janelle Simmons — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:00:27 -0400

The vast majority of people wishing to visit the United States are able to do so. Learn what you need to know to put together your U.S. trip.

Spanglish: Speaking la Lengua Loca

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:11:40 -0400

In the United States, Spanish and English have mixed to form a hybrid language. The author explains how and why Spanish and English have mixed with each other in the United States to create Spanglish, a hybid language increasingly used not only in spoken but also in written form.

Game On! Sports and Recreation Idioms in American English

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:40:25 -0400

Because of their popularity in the United States, sports and games have contributed many idioms to the language. Understanding their literal derivations from sports such as baseball or basketball can sometimes help people understand figurative expressions.

Youth Speak

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:32:13 -0400

Young people are at the forefront of coining slang expressions. Today's electronic means of communication — and the changing attitudes of some scholars — have moved slang from the realm of the spoken word to the written word with a greater degree of acceptance.

The Language of Blogging

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:23:31 -0400

Unraveling the Mysteries: Tools for Decoding Slang

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:13:48 -0400

English is often perplexing to students of the language and to native speakers alike. There are several ways to find the meanings of new slang expressions, including using the Internet which provides numerous Web sites that help readers understand American slang.

Change Is Gonna Do Ya Good

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:06:12 -0400

English, like all living languages, is vibrant, unpredictable, and ever-changing. As immigrants merge into life in the United States they both learn American English and contribute to its unique and changing lexicon.

What’s New?The Effect of Hip-Hop Culture on Everyday English

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:56:46 -0400

The urban lexicon of the hip-hop generation has crossed over to mainstream America. These additions to the standard lexicon come from words created by youth and young adults who feel empowered to codify and label their own realities with new expressions.

From Arabic to English

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:41:37 -0400

Though many have come to English via other European languages, hundreds of English words derive from the Arabic language. This article traces the origins of many technical and scientific terms, as well as words used every day.

Arabic in the Saddle

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:33:06 -0400

Half a world away from where they originated, Arabic terms for horses, horsemen, and their equipment became a part of everyday lingo in the southwest United States. These terms came from Arabic into Spanish, and then into American English when the Spanish and the "Anglo" traditions met.

About This Issue

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:08:32 -0400

Additional Resources

Susan Doner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:05:01 -0400

Fans Eager to Glimpse Pope Benedict During His U.S. Visit

Louise Fenner — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:56:41 -0400

Catholics await the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Washington and New York April 15-20. The pope will celebrate Mass, speak with Catholic and non-Catholic religious leaders, meet with President Bush and address the U.N. General Assembly. He will also visit Ground Zero, site of the World Trade Center destroyed by terrorists in 2001.

Dominican-American Author Junot Diaz Wins Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:48:15 -0400

The 2008 Pulitzer Prize for fiction secures the reputation of Dominican-born writer Junot Diaz as a singular talent with an original literary voice. The award for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao crowns Diaz's lifetime fascination with literature and underscores growing Latino prominence in U.S. arts and letters, critics say.

America Savors Its Music During Jazz Appreciation Month

Michael Jay Friedman — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:12:50 -0400

Each April, the United States celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), an opportunity to savor a major American contribution to world culture. Initiated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, JAM aims to focus public attention on the music, and on the many talented composers, musicians and other contributors to the sound. John Edward Hasse, the Smithsonian’s curator of American Music, provides a brief history of jazz and related musical forms as well as information on places to hear performances by famous jazz musicians throughout history.

Basketball Career Still an Inner-City Dream

Steven A. Riess — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:14:31 -0400

U.S. inner-city kids dream about national fame and fabulous financial rewards through professional basketball. But only a few of them will make college teams and even fewer will join the professional National Basketball Association.

BMX Riders Need Endurance, Agility, Explosive Power

Paul Levitan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:06:48 -0400

Bicycle motocross (BMX) is a new Olympic event in which Mike King has been involved for more than 30 years. As recently named BMX program director for USA Cycling, a family of organizations that promote different bicycle sports, Mike discusses BMX in an interview with Olympic Coach e-zine, published by the United States Olympic Committee.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life Remembered in Words and Song

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:02:19 -0400

A new book and CD, issued in tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., are helping to teach U.S. schoolchildren about the history of their nation’s civil rights movement from its earliest days in the 1950s to the present, emphasizing the movement’s ongoing commitment to equality, justice and racial reconciliation.

Martin Luther King’s Dream Lives on 40 Years After His Death

Michael Friedman — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:34:43 -0400

Americans remember the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968 as a shock that forced the nation to confront the dilemma of the racial divide and forge the “American consensus.” The civil rights movement led the nation to confront the contradiction between its ideals and the reality of segregation.

American Football Blends Martial Fervor, Clockwork Precision

Mark Bernstein — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:42:02 -0400

American football incites passion that exercises a rare unifying pull in American society. If the game nurtures aggression, it also fosters an appreciation of sacrifice, teamwork, and discipline, says American journalist Mark F. Bernstein.

Olympic Games Are World’s Biggest Magnet for Publicizing Causes

Eric Green — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:56:42 -0400

The Olympic Games offer the optimum moment for individuals or groups to share their grievances and demands with the world, several leading U.S. sports journalists tell America.gov. The Olympics, where teams from more than 200 countries compete, attract the attention of the entire world.

Merchandise Mart Sets “Green” Standard for Existing Buildings

Howard Cincotta — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:30:44 -0400

“Green architecture" is a term usually associated with new buildings. But new construction represents only a fraction of the commercial structures in the United States. So when one of the world's largest buildings -- the Merchandise Mart in Chicago -- won a coveted environmental certification, many people took notice.

1988 Olympics Was Watershed for U.S. Mens Soccer

Charlene Porter — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:14:54 -0400

Bart Conner Recalls Olympic Joy of “Just Being There”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:21:11 -0400

Last Steps Are Most Vivid and Painful, Runner Says

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:18:15 -0400

Olympic Athlete Shares Her “Sense of the Water”

Charlene Porter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:11:57 -0400

Favorite Games Showcase American Temperament

Roger Rosenblatt — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:25:07 -0400

Baseball, football and basketball, the three most popular American games, are uniquely reflective of the American character -- American dreams, ambitions, achievements and defeats -- and Americans often watch them as morality plays about their own conflicting natures, argues American writer and professor Roger Rosenblatt.

Women’s History Month Links

Louise Fenner — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:40:41 -0400

A selection of online resources regarding Women's History Month and women's rights.

Basketball Was First to Breach Race Barriers

Roger Rosenblatt — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:11:17 -0400

Neither baseball nor football creates the special, jazzed-up excitement of a basketball game, during which the human body can be made to do unearthly things, to defy gravity gracefully, argues American writer and professor Roger Rosenblatt.

Baseball Seen as the Game of Innocence and Growth

Roger Rosenblatt — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:08:14 -0400

Of the three principal American games, baseball is the most elegantly designed and the easiest to account for in terms of its appeal. Its rules are unbending and with a very few exceptions they have not changed in a hundred years, says American writer Roger Rosenblatt.

American Football Celebrates Sacrifice and Progress

Roger Rosenblatt — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:06:55 -0400

Football is a game of individual progress achieved through team cooperation. The victory is gained “inch by inch, down and dirty,” argues American writer Roger Rosenblatt.

U.S. Women Making Strides in Education, Entrepreneurship

Alex Abboud — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:49:49 -0400

American women -- 153.6 million or 51 percent of the U.S. population -- increasingly are making their influence felt in all spheres of American life.

African-American Architect Paul Williams Dazzled Hollywood

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:49:09 -0400

Much of the distinctive cityscape of Los Angeles was shaped by a visionary whose career was as cinematic as those of many of his film-star clients: architect Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980), an African American who surmounted racial prejudice to achieve extraordinary success in a white-dominated profession.

Kennedy Center to Showcase Artistic Traditions of Arab World

Michael Bandler — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:32:11 -0400

“The best way to learn about other people,” says Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, “is through their culture.” Kaiser has spent the past four years shaping a three-week festival on the arts and culture of the Arab world. The festival will take place at Washington’s Kennedy Center early in 2009.

Egyptian-American Exchange Is Theme of TV Reality Show

Ralph Dannheisser — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:47:30 -0400

After an exchange of visits arranged for a pioneering television program, the participants -- two Americans and two Egyptians -- sharply revised their views of each other’s culture. During the reciprocal two-week visits in the United States and Egypt, camera crews followed the four as they immersed themselves in the other country’s culture.

Main Religious Affiliations in the United States

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:01:47 -0400

Most of the world’s religions are practiced in the United States. The tradition of religious tolerance and constitutional safeguards for freedom of worship have made religious life in the United States one of most diverse and vibrant in the world. This is seen in a new study by the Pew Forum.

Basketball’s March Madness Thrills Fans, Boosts School Morale

Jaroslaw Anders — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:46:03 -0400

It descends on America every March, together with spring showers and the first blossoms on trees. It is a collective giddiness, excitement, even frenzy that involves gathering in groups, making wagers and telling tall tales about the amazing Final Four. It is March Madness, more soberly known as the collegiate basketball championship.

Iranian Americans Observe Persian New Year Traditions

Afzal Khan — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:23:04 -0400

Some 2 million Iranian Americans -- and other immigrants from neighboring countries that were once part of the Persian Empire -- celebrate Nowrouz, the Persian New Year, starting March 20 with rituals that go back thousands of years.

U.S. Religious Landscape Is Marked by Diversity and Change

Melody Merin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:24:35 -0400

Religious affiliation in the United States is “diverse and extremely fluid,” according to a new poll. While more than three-fourths of those surveyed classify themselves as Christian, the survey also finds that more than 28 percent of American adults leave the faith of their childhoods to practice another religion -- or no religion.

U.S. Cities Strike Up the Band for St. Patrick’s Day Parades

Bridget Hunter — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:55:05 -0400

St. Patrick’s Day offers the Irish and non-Irish alike the opportunity to celebrate “Irishness” in a variety of ways -- some authentic, some innovative, some downright tacky -- but none has proved more widespread or enduring than the annual parade. The largest of these are held in Dublin (Ireland), New York City, Montreal and Boston.

America Goes Green for St. Patrick’s Day

Bridget Hunter — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:20:11 -0400

St. Patrick's Day might be one of the world’s most celebrated holidays, with city-sponsored festivities held in Japan, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Great Britain and the United States, as well as the saint’s beloved Ireland. That geography reflects the broad dispersion of Irish, through choice or necessity, during a 300-year migration.

“Trailblazers” Honored by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Melody Merin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:14:31 -0400

Artists honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 represent many of the genres that have shaped the vibrant American musical landscape. Pop icon Madonna, singer-songwriters John Mellencamp and Leonard Cohen, British rockers the Dave Clark Five and soul music producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are among the most recent inductees.

Immigrants Who Made Real Good

Bruce Odessey — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:50:40 -0400

New Encyclopedia Celebrates Arab-American Artists

NEA — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:18:05 -0400

Fayeq Oweis, noted artist and professor of Arabic language and culture at Santa Clara University in California, publishes the Encyclopedia of Arab American Artists, highlighting 85 individuals and groups working in painting, sculpture, photography, film, cartooning, calligraphy, mixed media, architecture and theater design.

Women’s History, Accomplishments Celebrated Every March

Louise Fenner — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:11:18 -0400

For Women's History Month 2008, the National Women’s History Project is recognizing the accomplishments of 12 women artists -- Violet Oakley, Rose O'Neill, Edna Hibel, Lihua Lei, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Faith Ringgold, Miriam Schapiro, Lorna Simpson, June Wayne, Nancy Spero, Harmony Hammond and Judy Chicago.

Students from Muslim-Majority Countries Discuss Islam in America

Jaroslaw Anders — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:54:06 -0400

During an Ask America webchat on Islam in the United States, hosted by America.gov, a number of questions come from high school students in the West Bank, Afghanistan and Tajikistan involved in Internet learning programs made possible by the U.S. State Department’s Global Connections and Exchange Program.

End of U.S. Military Segregation Set Stage for Rights Movement

David McKeeby — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:29:04 -0400

African Americans have served in the U.S. military since the days of George Washington, but it took until July 26, 1948, when President Truman issued an executive order for desegregating the armed forces, for the country to begin living up to the democratic ideals that they fought to defend.

Architects Look to Nature and Each Other

Bruce Odessey — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:06:57 -0400

The basic look and shape of American houses and business places haven't changed much for a long time. Now, however, energy and environmental challenges are encouraging new building materials, new ways to design buildings and new respect for nature.

Historic Lincoln Cottage Sheds Light on Civil War Presidency

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:31:06 -0400

A Victorian-era house that served as a refuge from the bustle of White House life for President Abraham Lincoln and his family now offers an intimate look at the presidency of a man whose leadership during the U.S. Civil War helped keep his nation intact. President Lincoln’s Cottage, situated on the 112-hectare compound of the federally owned Soldiers’ Home in Washington, opens to the public February 19 following an eight-year restoration project.

Hip-Hop Exerts Influence on Contemporary Portraiture

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:40:39 -0400

Hip-hop music has been a potent vehicle for creative expression, but its role in contemporary portraiture has received little attention -- until now. A new exhibition in Washington -- RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture -- shows how artists in a variety of media create portraits filtered through the prism of hip-hop culture.

Washington's Birthday Holiday Honors First President

Michael J. Friedman — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:39:35 -0400

The Washington’s Birthday holiday in the United States honors George Washington, commander of the United States armies in the War of Independence, first president of the United States, and "first in the hearts of his countrymen."

The Amistad Sails Again – This Time for Freedom

Melody Merin — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:30:39 -0400

A replica of the Amistad, a vessel that in 1839 was the site of a famous slave revolt, is on a journey from New Haven, Connecticut, to Europe, Africa and the Caribbean to commemorate the Amistad incident as well as the anniversary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and the U.S. ban on the importation of slaves in 1808.

American Identity: Ideas, Not Ethnicity

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:25:26 -0400

Since the United States was founded in the 18^th century, Americans have defined themselves not by their racial, religious, and ethnic identity but by their common values and belief in individual freedom.

A Diverse Fighting Force

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:52:33 -0400

The U.S. Army educates its military and civilian workers to understand and respect diverse ethnic cultures. It makes an effective fighting force from people of diverse backgrounds by valuing the strengths and experience of all and uniting them in the Army's culture.

Immigration and U.S. History

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:53:59 -0400

Tens of millions of immigrants over four centuries have made the United States what it is today. They came to make new lives and livelihoods in the New World; their hard work benefited themselves and their new home country.

Irish Immigrants in the United States

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:57:21 -0400

Irish immigrants had a rough start in the United States, stuck in urban poverty and taunted by some of their neighbors. They and their descendants overcame the obstacles and prevailed.

About This Issue

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:55:11 -0400

There are those who say that the United States’ strength as a nation – its creativity, dynamism, and ready willingness to embrace the new – results in good part from the diversity that immigrants have brought to these shores.

A Market for Diversity

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:54:09 -0400

Suppose you went to lunch in Center City Philadelphia's Reading Terminal Market, underneath what used to be the Reading Railroad train shed. Well, you would have a choice of ethnic foods: Mexican, Italian, African-American soul food, Pennsylvania Dutch (actually Deutsch -- that is, German), Chinese, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Thai, Indian-Pakistani, Greek, French, Japanese. And then there's dessert.

Additional Resources

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:53:13 -0400

Online sources for information about Immigration and Diversity

Cultural Competence Required in Today's Economy

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:51:33 -0400

Telecommunications giant Verizon Communications employs a multiethnic workforce for its multiethnic customers. It’s good business, but it requires effort and commitment. Sometimes immigrant groups join the mainstream when the stream itself widens.

Revised Naturalization Test

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:45:05 -0400

Before you take the oath to become a U.S. citizen, you have to answer a few questions.

New Ways of Seeing and Thinking

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:44:00 -0400

An important reason for the dynamic success of the U.S. economy is the new ways of seeing and new ways of thinking brought to the United States by waves of immigrants from around the world.

General Naturalization Requirements for U.S. Citizenship

Bruce Odessey — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:35:48 -0400

Applicants for U.S. citizenship have to meet certain requirements.

U.S.-Mali Cultural Ties Enriched by Musicians, Filmmakers

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:44:24 -0400

Mali and the United States enjoy a long-standing cultural partnership nurtured through exchanges, projects and tours, say U.S. diplomats. One diplomat predicts that the two nations’ friendship, reinforced by the close contacts among their artists, will set the stage for a successful visit to Washington by Mali’s president, Amadou Touré.

Bangladeshi American Is First Muslim Chaplain in Marine Corps

Phillip Kurata — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:50:52 -0400

A man who once was a student in the United States from Bangladesh is the first Muslim chaplain in the U.S. Marine Corps. Abuhena Saifulislam represents America as Muslim military chaplain abroad and at home, helping U.S. service people understand Islam and counseling individuals, most of whom are not Muslim.

Independent Films Encourage Self-Expression

Kenneth Turan — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:22:31 -0400

The modern U.S. independent film industry was born when a few courageous directors spent their own money to produce movies that Hollywood studios were not interested in financing. Public appreciation for these usually low-budget, high-quality films, however, has enabled the independent film industry to grow and thrive.

A Conversation with Olympic Volleyball Coordinator Diane French

Levitan Paul — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:28:00 -0400

A Conversation with Diane French: an Olympian in 1980 and currently the technical coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team.

American Jazz Musicians Achieve Harmony with Their Music

Charles W. Corey — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:56:49 -0400

American jazz musicians from the Ryan Cohan Quartet view their upcoming tour of Africa and the Middle East as an opportunity to communicate with audiences through the universal language of jazz. “Even though jazz is an American art form, it is helping to bridge the gap between the cultures worldwide,” says the group’s leader.

U.S. Universities Strive To Increase Student Diversity

Jeffrey Thomas — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:46:55 -0400

Supporting diversity and creating a sense of inclusiveness for minority and foreign-born students are growing priorities for U.S. graduate schools. The University of Virginia has been honored for its program on graduate student diversity. The award recognizes innovative efforts to identify, recruit and retain minority graduate students.

Iraqi, American Poetry Reading Bridges Cultural Divides

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:02:02 -0400

“One of the treasures of poetry is that it allows full equality to all artists and freedom of expression in what defines a truly democratic society,” said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker at the first annual Iraqi/American Poetry Reading, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in partnership with the Iraqi Tawasin Cultural Society.

Play About Persian Folk Tale Delights Young American Audiences

Phillip Kurata — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:18:56 -0400

The Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington has staged a children's play based on a Persian folk tale. Playwright Norman Allen says that the inspiration for the play, On the Eve of Friday Morning, lay in his frustration with hearing Iran described in broad, sweeping and dismissive language by many U.S. political figures.

Washington Opera Wins Accolades for Drama, Passion, Artistry

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:58:05 -0400

When the Washington National Opera marked its 50th anniversary season in 2006 amid critical acclaim and successful ticket sales, it was clear that the institution has come a long way from its modest beginnings in 1956, when music critic Day Thorpe and a few kindred spirits formed the fledgling company.

Test Your Knowledge of Opera

Jacqui Porth — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:13:04 -0400

Martin Luther King's Dream of Racial Equality

David Pitts — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:51:50 -0400

On August 28, 1963, some 250,000 people marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and heard Martin Luther King Jr. call for equal rights for all citizens. Civil rights activist Dorothy Height and Representative John Lewis discuss the significance those events have for U.S. civil rights today.

Let Freedom Ring!

Helen I. Rouce — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:46:23 -0400

An Overview of U.S. Holidays

Bridget Hunter — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:41:48 -0400

Nations and religious denominations set aside a number of days to commemorate special events, persons or public occasions. These holidays typically are marked by a general suspension of work and business activity, and by public and/or religious ceremonies. Learn about U.S. holidays.

Links for Information on Diversity

Amor Safi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:54:07 -0400

This document provides links to online resources related to diversity.

Organizations That Promote Diversity

Amor Safi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:39:12 -0400

A list of organizations that provide useful information on diversity.

Links to Information on the Arts

Amor Safi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:44:42 -0400

An extensive list of links to information on the arts.

Online Reading on Diversity

Amor Safi — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:47:07 -0400

Number of U.S. Minority-Owned Businesses Increasing

Bridget Hunter — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:06:17 -0400

Minorities -- Hispanic, black, white, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander --

own a significant percentage of U.S. businesses. Minority-owned businesses, and their revenues, are continuing to expand.

Half of American Leisure Time Is Spent Watching Television

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:36:22 -0400

The African-American Experience

Helen I. Rouce — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:09:33 -0400

Immigration: The Making of the American People

Ralph Dannheisser — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:57:17 -0400

The story of America is largely the story of multiple ethnic groups coming to the country’s shores and blending into diverse yet cohesive societies.

Interfaith Festival Joins Muslim, Jewish, Christian Communities

Carolee Walker — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:38:09 -0400

More than 250 members of the Jewish, Islamic and Christian communities in Frederick, Maryland, share a meal together at the second annual Hanukah, Christmas and Hajj Festival. Dinner was served potluck style -- families contributed their favorite dishes of the season.

Indian-American’s Experience Drives Her Immigrant Rights Advocacy

Lea Terhune — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:34:20 -0400

Deepa Iyer moved from India to Kentucky at the age of 12. Blazing a path from there to being the executive director of the influential South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) took hard work, timely opportunity and key influences that shaped her perceptions of democracy.

American Muslims Travel to Mecca for Annual Pilgrimage

Carolee Walker — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:08:43 -0400

Young American Muslims, many professionals in their 20s, are traveling to the Middle East to perform the Hajj, according to travel industry experts in the United States. This is a new trend, according to one Seattle tour operator. “The Hajj is an arduous undertaking that requires physical strength, endurance and stamina,” says award-winning documentary filmmaker Anisa Mehdi, who follows three pilgrims in her film Inside Mecca. “Traditionally, older people do it because there is great motivation to complete the transcendental journey, but it is easier for people in good health and strong,” Mehdi says.

U.S. Cities Reflect Cultural Diversity, Artistic Ingenuity

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:37:29 -0400

New Film on America To Be Shown at U.S. Consulates, Embassies

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:39:16 -0400

Visitors to U.S. consulates and embassies soon will be able to watch a short film, I Am America, that introduces them to America’s people and landscapes, conveying the simple message that America is a diverse, interesting and friendly place. The nonprofit organization Business for Diplomatic Action commissioned the film as a gift to the U.S. government.

An Interview with Steve Fraser, United States Greco-Roman Wrestling Coach

Paul Levitan — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 11:54:33 -0400

Greco-Roman wrestling’s first gold medalist in 1984 discusses coaching the United States national team in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.

A Conversation with U.S. Olympic Weightlifter Cheryl Haworth

Levitan Paul — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:17:29 -0400

A conversation with U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete and two-time Olympian Cheryl Haworth (weightlifting, 2000/bronze, '04)

Religion-Based Employee Groups Enhance Culture of Inclusion

Louise Fenner — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:51:22 -0400

Employees at Texas Instruments in Dallas are proud of their company’s culture of inclusion, which is marked by the presence of employee networking groups for Christians and Muslims that encourage mutual respect and understanding.

Music Role-Playing Games Popular Among Teens, Adults

Carolee Walker — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:05:41 -0400

Millions of teenagers -- and, increasingly, adults -- around the world are playing music on interactive computer game platforms in virtual rock bands. USINFO looks at the growing popularity of virtual music games, also known as music role-playing games.

Religion in the Workplace Is Diversity Issue for U.S. Companies

Louise Fenner — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:52:04 -0400

American companies are looking for ways to deal with a diversity issue they increasingly face: the need to accommodate workers’ various religious beliefs and practices. Companies “know they need to do something,” says David Miller, executive director of Yale University’s Center for Faith and Culture.

African Americans’ Struggles, Triumphs Shown in Photo Exhibition

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:37:06 -0400

An exhibition of 100 black-and-white photographs evokes the personal stories of African Americans who helped shape the nation over the past 150 years. Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits, is the inaugural exhibition of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

American Democracy Built on Volunteer Spirit

Robin Yeager — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:07:30 -0400

Civic voluntary activity long has been a noteworthy aspect of American society. American volunteerism includes such activities as serving on community committees, raising funds for worthy causes, working to preserve historical landmarks, serving on fire and ambulance crews and leading youth groups.

Views Mixed on Boycotting 2008 Beijing Olympics

Eric Green — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:33:42 -0400

Debate continues on calls from human rights and press freedom groups for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to protest the Chinese government's repression of journalists and human rights activists and its policies toward Sudan, but some argue that a boycott would accomplish nothing and could be counterproductive.

U.S. Embassies To Show Works of Five American Indian Artists

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:27:12 -0400

The works of five prominent American Indian artists soon will be on display at U.S. embassies worldwide, introducing foreign audiences to the richness and variety of contemporary American Indian art. Norman Akers (of the Osage tribe), Mario Martinez (Yaqui), Larry McNeil (Tlingit), Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Flathead Salish) and Marie Watt (Seneca) -- artists who often utilize traditional American Indians motifs in unexpected ways -- were selected by the U.S. State Department and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian to have their work showcased overseas. The embassy-bound artworks, which were commissioned for the State Department’s Artists Becoming Ambassadors [ART] in Embassies program, are unveiled at a Washington reception.

Kevin Han Has Taken a Journey of Olympic Proportions

Paul Levitan — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:21:04 -0400

Kevin Han, one of the most decorated athletes in badminton as a three-time Olympian, two-time Pan American Games gold medalist, six-time National Champion and United States Olympic Committee Badminton Athlete of the Year from 1994-2002, talks about the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Portrait of Indian-American Lawmaker Displayed in U.S. Capitol

Louise Fenner — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:48:00 -0400

The 6-year-old great-granddaughter of Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American elected to the U.S. Congress, pulled back a blue curtain to uncover his portrait in the U.S. Capitol as more than 225 people applauded. The portrait, unveiled November 7, is part of a series dedicated to historically important members of Congress. Saund, who died in 1973, is recognized not only as the first Indian American to hold a seat in Congress -- he was elected in 1956 and served three terms -- but also as someone who helped pave the way for Indian immigration to the United States.

U.S. House Recognizes South Asian Festival of Lights

Lea Terhune — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:47:38 -0400

As South Asian Americans prepared for one of their biggest traditional holidays, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution recognizing the significance of Diwali, the “festival of lights.” Representative Joe Wilson, who sponsored the resolution, says it marks “the international, religious and historical importance of the festival of Diwali as well as the religious diversity in India and throughout the world” and “recognizes the importance of Indian Americans -- a strong and vibrant immigrant community.”

Legacy of an Olympian: Making the Transition from Competitor to Coach

Paul Levitan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:08:53 -0400

Nathalie Bartleson, a 1996 synchronized swimming Olympic gold medalist, discusses her transition from being an Olympic athlete to being an Olympic coach. Bartleson is currently in the Management Development Program conducted by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Athleticism, Politics Indomitable Parts of Olympic Games

Eric Green — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:35:39 -0400

The Olympic Games have showcased athletic achievement and harmony among nations. But critics say those noble goals have been submerged by an overemphasis on national pride and politics.

Artist Edward Hopper’s Enigmatic Images Seen in New Exhibition

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:10:59 -0400

Throughout his career, artist Edward Hopper (1882-1967) produced haunting vignettes of urban life that suggest loneliness and isolation, as well as spare but powerful images of rural New England farmhouses, barns and fishing boats. These paintings have made him “one of the best known, most admired, and best loved of American artists,” Franklin Kelly, one of the curators of a new exhibition on Hopper's work tells USINFO.

Muslim Employees Find “Welcome” Sign in U.S. Companies

Louise Fenner — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:49:45 -0400

Many U.S. companies are trying to accommodate the religious beliefs of Muslim employees by setting aside rooms for prayer and meditation, supporting the wearing of traditional head coverings, adjusting work hours and honoring leave requests for major Islamic holidays.

Sufi Poet and Mystic Rumi Remains Compelling to American Readers

Howard Cincotta — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:28:19 -0400

Ask Americans who is the most popular poet in the country today, and they might guess Walt Whitman or Robert Frost. Many might be surprised to learn that the correct answer (measured either in public interest or total book sales) is the Sufi mystic and poet known as Rumi (Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Balkhi) who was born 800 years ago in Central Asia.

New Film Introduces Visitors to the United States and Its People

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:44:15 -0400

At two major U.S. airports, travelers arriving from abroad will be able to watch a short film that offers a lively introduction to the United States and its people. Welcome: Portraits of America was created by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as a gift to the U.S. departments of State and Homeland Security.

American Indians Seek Greater Understanding, Recognition

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:15:01 -0400

A new study shows continuing misconceptions about American Indians but also reveals that their history and culture is of interest to non-Indians. American Indians may feel isolated, misunderstood and culturally threatened, but they are proud of their accomplishments and believe their lives are improving.

Love of Books Survives in an Electronic Age

Carolee Walker — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:32:06 -0400

Nancy Pearl, author of Book Lust and the model for a “shushing” librarian action figure, talks about how she developed an early love of reading books because she spent much of her unhappy childhood and adolescence in Detroit in the local library. “I learned very early that being home was not a safe place to be,” Pearl says during a USINFO Webchat held at the Frankfurt, Germany, city library.

Indian Dancer Blends the Modern with the Traditional

Lea Terhune — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:54:57 -0400

The creative arts are prized avenues of cultural interaction at many American universities, and Maryland’s Towson University recently showcased India by exhibiting the paintings of modern Indian artists and hosting guest faculty member Astad Deboo, India’s premier modern dancer. “There is this conversation which has been happening … and continues to happen” among artists all over the world, Deboo says. “The world is getting smaller.”

Non-Muslim, Muslim Students Fast Together To End Hunger

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:39:15 -0400

Each year during Ramadan, more than 250 Muslim student associations in the U.S. sponsor Fast-a-thons, welcoming non-Muslims to join them in their fast for one day to raise money for charity. The Fast-a-thons also increase awareness about the millions of people who go hungry every day, foster understanding of the traditional Islamic observance of Ramadan, and bring Muslims and non-Muslims together to support a good cause.

Humor Helps Break Stereotypes About Muslims

Carolee Walker — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:11:31 -0400

There is not anything funny about Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and reflection, or about the threat of violent al-Qaida terrorists around the world, but that does not mean the average person cannot appreciate a good Muslim joke. Sometimes the best way to deal with a sensitive subject is to make fun of it, says Muslim comedian Azhar Usman.

More Women in Powerful Positions Change Public Attitudes

Jane Morse — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:45:18 -0400

There has been a “seismic change” in cultural assumptions about women and leadership, says a top scholar on U.S. politics. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, in a 1995 book, documented cases in which women political figures had difficulty gaining a hearing or respect for their ideas, were tied to “female issues” and were perceived as not capable of winning elections. “Since I wrote the book, women have increasingly held positions as heads of state” around the world, Jamieson says in an interview. More American women are serving in elected and appointed political posts, as heads of major organizations and as university professors; and all have demonstrated their competencies as leaders to the public, she adds.

Hispanic Americans Honored in Washington Ceremony

Jaroslaw Anders — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:43:56 -0400

Hispanic Americans are the fastest-growing U.S. population group, contributing to the country’s traditional diversity and enriching its political, cultural and community life. Their achievements were honored by President Bush at the White House during the Hispanic Heritage Month 2007 celebration.

Groups Work for Social Inclusion of Intellectually Disabled Kids

Louise Fenner — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:10:34 -0400

For young people who are intellectually disabled, it can be a lonely world. They have few opportunities to play sports, participate in social activities and make friends. Allison Coles directs the Virginia chapter of Best Buddies, a U.S. nonprofit group that fosters friendships between people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Bush Says Islam Is a “Great Religion that Preaches Peace”

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:44:28 -0400

Ahead of hosting an iftar celebration at the White House, President Bush says the Islamic religion “is a great religion that preaches peace,” and that Americans are free “to worship any way they see fit.” Bush tells Al Arabiya television that Muslim extremists have “done a good job of propagandizing” the idea that Americans do not like the Islamic faith, and states his own belief that the global community, regardless of individual faiths, “prays to the same God.”

U.S. House Passes Historic Ramadan Resolution

Lea Terhune — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:40:33 -0400

A U.S. House of Representatives resolution recognizing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is the first of its kind. It was adopted October 2, 2007. “We are a nation of religious tolerance and religious inclusion," says Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress.

Ramadan Fosters Community Interaction on U.S. College Campuses

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:35:08 -0400

Some Muslim college students discover that their observance of Ramadan is an opportunity to reach out to their non-Muslim friends and classmates in the spirit of interfaith dialogue. Students from Georgetown University in Washington were pleasantly surprised to find an energetic Muslim Students’ Association that actively seeks their participation in campus activities and prayers during Ramadan.

2007 Special Olympics World Games Touches Down in Shanghai

Carolee Walker — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:47:40 -0400

When 7,500 athletes from 160 countries descended on China's Shanghai Stadium to compete in the Special Olympics Summer Games October 2, few participants had more on their mind than winning.

Special Olympics Opens New Frontiers to Intellectually Disabled

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:45:15 -0400

Since its first international competition in Chicago in 1968, Special Olympics has grown into a global movement that has opened many doors for the intellectually disabled and made it increasingly possible for them to be contributing members of society.

Business Throws Its Weight Behind Special Olympics Summer Games

Elizabeth Kelleher — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:30:43 -0400

Millions of dollars from corporations are supporting this week's Special Olympics summer world games in Shanghai, China. In making alliances with nonprofit groups, “the corporation gets a big halo,” says Stephen M. Adler, author of a book about the intersection of philanthropy and business goals.

Children, Teens Among Book Lovers at Annual Festival

Carolee Walker — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:41:53 -0400

How much children read and what they read have an effect on the future of any nation, says professional basketball star Al Harrington. When Harrington is not playing for the Golden State Warriors basketball team in Oakland, California, he is in the community talking about the importance of reading and doing well in school. “Kids need to read books to achieve whatever it is they want to do with their lives,” Harrington told USINFO in an interview at the National Book Festival on the Smithsonian Mall in Washington. Seventy authors participated in the 2007 National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush. The annual festival is free and open to the public, and fans wait in long lines for their favorite authors to sign copies of their books.

Folk Artists Honored as Keepers of America’s Cultural Heritage

Louise Fenner — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:30:04 -0400

Twelve artists dedicated to preserving their cultural traditions -- including two who immigrated from Mexico and Guinea and two American Indians -- have received National Heritage Fellowships, America’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts. The fellowships recognize master artists who are the “keepers of our nation’s living cultural heritage,” says Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which sponsors the award.

Exhibition Shows International Impact of Women’s Movement on Art

Jeffrey Thomas — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:32:48 -0400

An exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington shows the impact of the feminist movement on art from 1965 to 1980, bringing together for the first time works that often are cited in art history textbooks but have not been on public view since their original exhibition.

Jazz, America’s “Best Ambassador,” Breaks Down Barriers

Louise Fenner — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:41:54 -0400

VOA broadcaster Willis Conover, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington were honored at a jazz festival in Washington, where their contributions to both jazz and international mutual understanding were discussed by current jazz stars from around the world.

For U.S. Muslims, Ramadan Is Reminder To Help Local Communities

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:31:23 -0400

The sacred month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, is a time of spiritual renewal, with a strong focus on performing good deeds and deepening ties with neighbors and local communities. Two Muslim leaders in the Washington area describe the charitable activities conducted year-round and during Ramadan to help the needy.

Work Is Changing as U.S. Companies Go Global

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:43:46 -0400

U.S. firms are tapping into a world talent pool and increasingly manage those workers with technology. They operate with fewer employees and facilities -- many workers do not report to offices, do not keep set hours or are not governed by a companywide vacation policy. A global work force and the Internet mean manufacturers often can operate around the clock. Experts interviewed by USINFO say other changes are in the offing, due to the increasing global nature of business: U.S. businesses will be led by foreign nationals, and even the notion of “U.S. headquarters” will fade.

Muslim Students Observe Ramadan Away from Home

Carolee Walker — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:32:47 -0400

Many Muslim students at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., are observing Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of refection and fasting, on their own for the first time, away from the support of parents, siblings and community. Imam Yahya Hendi, Georgetown’s Muslim chaplain, says the initial days of Ramadan are the most difficult for the 450 Muslim students on campus, but “Georgetown makes Muslims feel at home.”

U.S. Politics, Literature, Sports Show Cultural Influence of Hispanics

Carolee Walker — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:16:51 -0400

The influence of Latinos, especially as the U.S. population grows, is felt in every aspect of society, and has contributed substantially to the country’s rich cultural diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States.

Genesis World Music Ensemble Weaves Unique Tapestry of Styles

Timothy B. Receveur — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:03:47 -0400

Neither vast physical distances, nor language barriers, nor religious differences could prevent the Genesis World Music Ensemble from putting together a performance for a packed house in Washington. With band members living in five different countries and several different time zones, the group of Muslim and Jewish musicians found it impractical to hold traditional practice sessions. Instead, they relied on technology and creativity -- singing into phones, trading e-mail messages and sound files, and translating between languages -- to work together from April to August without ever meeting in person until two days before the concert.

U.S. Funding of Olympic Athletes a Private and Community Affair

Michael Jay Friedman — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:23:53 -0400

America's Olympic effort is coordinated by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Unlike most national Olympic committees, USOC receives no continuous federal government subsidy, relying instead on corporate and individual contributions and on the proceeds of its direct marketing program.

After Facing Mobs 50 Years Ago, Nine Go Home to Honors

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:27:45 -0400

As Little Rock’s largest high school plans a 50-year reunion, all eyes will be on nine professionals in their mid-60s: the Little Rock Nine, the first blacks to attend all-white Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment sparked a constitutional crisis that would advance U.S. civil rights.

Minnijean Brown Trickey

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:34:43 -0400

Minnijean Brown Trickey became a focus of racist bullies at Central, who succeeded in getting her to react to their mistreatment. That reaction got her into trouble with school administrators.

Terrence Roberts

Elizabeth Kellaher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:45:20 -0400

A common thread among the Little Rock Nine is strong families. Terrence Roberts’ parents supported his decision to go to Central High but said if he changed his mind and decided not to stay, they would be behind him 100 percent.

Thelma Mothershed Wair

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:13:13 -0400

Thelma Mothershed Wair did not suffer physical harm at Central, but remembers poor treatment from teachers. She later became a teacher and was careful to be fair.

Gloria Ray Karlmark

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:11:09 -0400

Gloria Ray Karlmark keeps in touch with other members of the Little Rock Nine despite living in the Netherlands. She sees resolution of the Little Rock crisis as affirming a strong U.S. Constitution.

Carlotta Walls LaNier

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:09:06 -0400

Carlotta Walls LaNier did not talk about her experience as one of the Little Rock Nine for 30 years. When she finally spoke out, she found dealing with some of the memories difficult.

Jefferson Thomas

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:07:10 -0400

Jefferson Thomas was an athlete who excelled at running. But at Central, he and the others were barred from extracurricular activities. Once he enrolled in 1957, he never ran track again.

Melba Pattillo Beals

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:05:11 -0400

Melba Pattillo Beals kept diaries while at Central and published a newspaper article as a teen about her experiences. Fascinated by reporters covering the crisis, she later became a journalist.

Ernest Green

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:02:14 -0400

Ernest Green is the member of the Little Rock Nine who enrolled as a senior at Central High School in 1957. He became the first black to graduate from Central.

Elizabeth Eckford

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:57:23 -0400

Elizabeth Eckford, captured by news cameras, walking alone to her first day of school flanked by a jeering mob, became a catalyst for worldwide sympathy for a growing civil rights movement.

Immigration Seen Adding 105 Million to U.S. Population by 2060

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:43:03 -0400

Since the founding of the United States, the population of the country has been growing at a rate that some scientists say is unprecedented in human history. Some believe that this population explosion made the United States one of the most prosperous countries of the world. But others point to congestion, urban sprawl, traffic, pollution, loss of open spaces and the increase in greenhouse gas emission as negative effects of rapid population growth. A new report projects that current levels of immigration will add 105 million to the U.S. population by 2060, while doing little to slow the rise in the population’s median age.

Immigrants Infuse English Language with Dynamism

Carolee Walker — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:18:26 -0400

English is a living, dynamic language that is invigorated by new speakers, including foreign students, tourists and immigrants, says cultural critic Ilan Stavans. In a multiethnic society, teachers should introduce students, even beginners, to the wide array of possibilities of a language, he says.

Spanglish Offers Stepping-Stone to English, Professor Says

Jeffrey Thomas — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:40:20 -0400

Spanglish, a hybrid form of English and Spanish, is one of the most striking ways two of the world’s most widely used languages are evolving in response to immigration and globalization. Spanglish is “a very creative, jazzy way of being Latino in the U.S. today,” says Ilan Stavans of Amherst College.

Olympic Program Helps Refugees, Displaced People Worldwide

Eric Green — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:48:15 -0400

The international sports community is reaching out to many of the world’s 20 million refugees and internally displaced people in an effort to meet some of their basic needs and provide hope for a better future.

American Indian Regalia Dazzles at National Powwow

Louise Fenner — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:52:13 -0400

Eyes and ears barely can take in all the colors and the swirling fringe, the singing and drumbeats that fill the air during the grand entry at the biennial National Powwow in Washington, D.C.. Men, women and children from 250 American Indian tribes celebrate their culture and honor military veterans.

National Powwow Honors American Indian Cultural Traditions

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:51:21 -0400

Bringing together American Indians from many tribes to dance, sing and share traditions, powwows are held in the United States from March to September. The largest on the East Coast is the National Powwow in Washington that attracts members of some 250 tribes from the United States and Canada.

Baseball Icon Cal Ripken Using Sports to Bridge Cultures

Eric Green — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:01:10 -0400

Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. is a new U.S. State Department public diplomacy sports envoy. His first assignment is visiting China October 28-November 6, 2007, to train Chinese youngsters in baseball.

New U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Simic Immigrated as Teen

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:26:12 -0400

Charles Simic, the new poet laureate of the United States, did not begin learning English until he was 15 and moved to New York City, then Chicago, after a traumatic childhood in the former Yugoslavia. “The big, big influence on my life was being born in Yugoslavia in 1938. And then, in 1941, the war started and I was there during the war, and then in the years after the war under communism. The war years in Yugoslavia were pure hell,” Simic tells USINFO. An immigrant learning English in his teens “doesn’t take it for granted,” Simic says. “One notices things about language, one notices things about American culture and other things that I imagine a native-born would not see.”

America’s Extensive Islamic Heritage Detailed in Exhibitions

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:41:17 -0400

When Amir Muhammad began researching his family’s roots he did not realize it might lead him to America’s little-known Islamic heritage. He assumed that most American Muslims arrived in the 20th century, and he was unaware of any Islamic connection in his family prior to his personal acceptance of Islam 35 years ago. But Muhammad discovered he does have Muslim ancestors, as do many African Americans and Native Americans, and that the story of Islam in America reaches back much further than most people imagine. In 1996, he established the nonprofit organization to uncover and preserve America’s Islamic heritage and to create a greater awareness of the Islamic experience in America.

The Luminous Characters of Anne Tyler

Howard Cincotta — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:30:11 -0400

Novelist John Updike once wrote memorably that fellow writer Anne Tyler "is not merely good, she is wickedly good." For more than 40 years, in meticulous “wickedly good” prose, Tyler has been writing quietly luminous novels that examine the nuances of character and the foibles of American family life.

U.S. Laws Protect Right To Wear Religious Garb at Work

Jane Morse — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:50:36 -0400

In 2007, Somali refugee Bilan Nur won a discrimination lawsuit after her employer refused to permit her to wear a head scarf. A jury awarded her over $287,000 in back pay and compensatory and punitive damages.

Ozomatli Showcases American Music in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia

Tim Receveur — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:38:54 -0400

The Los Angeles-based Latin rock, hip-hop and funk band Ozomatli recently played free concerts in Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia, bringing a message of hope, peace and diversity as cultural ambassadors for the United States. The Jordanian newspaper Al-Rai may have summarized the trip best with the banner headline, "The American Ozomatli Performs Its Music: A Crazy Artistic Mixture." Some bands might consider this description an insult, but for Ozomatli it is a badge of honor. The band and its songs are a combination of different languages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, musical genres and instruments.

Video Game Music Played by Orchestras Draws Audiences

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:59:09 -0400

Live concerts with renowned symphony orchestras playing music from video games started with three performances in 2005. Growing in popularity, Video Games Live, as the concerts are known, has 30 performances around the world in 2007, some of which draw thousands. “It looks like these types of productions are catching on,” says Daniel Ozment, assistant conductor of the Master Chorale of Washington. “It’s a lot of fun to do.”

American Dream Still Alive and Well for Immigrants, Report Says

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:46:04 -0400

Immigrants to the United States continue to find a land of opportunity for themselves and their children, according to a new report. “America offers dramatic mobility for immigrants,” says the report’s author, Ron Haskins, a principal of the Economic Mobility Project, which issued the report.

New U.S. Citizens Dream of Business Success, Raising Families

Elizabeth Kelleher — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:33:47 -0400

People choose to immigrate to the United States for many reasons, including freedom of speech and religion, economic opportunities and family ties. In interviews with several participants at a recent naturalization ceremony, America.gov explores the stories behind their decision to become Americans.

American Dance Festival Welcomes International Talent

Louise Fenner — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:52:56 -0400

Artists of different generations and nationalities come together at the American Dance Festival at Duke University in North Carolina for six weeks every year to learn, perform and share their love of modern dance and dance theater. USINFO talks with associate director Jodee Nimerichter about the opportunities the festival offers to artists and its international expansion. “We want to help and develop modern dance based on the traditions and cultures in each country, and we also want to be able to present the best modern dance from around the world,” she says.

Craft Artists Demonstrate Technical Virtuosity, Bold Vision

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:41:43 -0400

The Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery -- America’s premier venue for viewing contemporary American craft -- is honoring the bold vision and technical virtuosity of four American women artists. The work of Paula Bartron, Beth Lipman, Beth Cavener Stichter and Jocelyn Chateauvert “represents the strength of artists working in crafts today, all across the United States,” says Jane Milosch, Renwick’s curator of contemporary craft and decorative arts. Milosch also says U.S. universities will attract gifted students from around the world through programs in glass-blowing, metalworking, ceramics and papermaking. U.S. schools already have vibrant glass studios, she says, that “bring in students from around the country, and from Asia, Europe and beyond.”

First Chinese Baseball Players Signed To Play in United States

Eric Green — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:58:51 -0400

A new era in baseball may be beginning with the signing by the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners of four Chinese players to major league contracts. The signings by the Yankees come after the team reached an agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association to open an exchange program on developing the game in China.

Afghan Women’s Struggles, Triumphs Highlighted in Documentaries

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:39:38 -0400

Sahar Adish and Malalai Joya are young Afghan women with dramatic personal histories. They share another distinction: each is the subject of an award-winning documentary film that examines the plight of people who live in a repressive society. The films were shown at SilverDocs 2007.

Extreme Sports Offer Salvadoran Youth Refuge from Violence

David Shelby — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:17:07 -0400

Soyapango, where rival gangs have carved the suburb into home turfs ruled by violent crime, is one of the most densely populated and most dangerous communities in El Salvador. But with the help of a U.S. grant, Fundacion Salvador del Mundo works to draw young people away from violence and into sports.

White House Celebrates Black Music

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:12:51 -0400

The White House celebrates Black Music Month with an afternoon concert that includes jazz, rhythm and blues (R&B) and classical-rap fusion music. At one point the 220 guests, many of them prominent persons in Washington, stand up from gold-painted chairs to clap, tap and even dance. President Bush calls it his “chance to listen to some good music,” beginning the event on a light-hearted note that sets it apart from the more formal public gatherings often held there.

Yale Alumni Chorus Shares Power of Music with South Africans

Jim Fisher-Thompson — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:57:23 -0400

Members of Yale University's alumni chorus hope to share the power of music as they perform in South Africa and donate concert proceeds and musical instruments to local groups. Visiting and performing in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Cape Town and surrounding townships, the 150 singers aim “to foster international understanding through the universal language of song," their president, Sharon Agar, tells USINFO.

Museum Showcases the Blending of Islamic and Western Cultures

Judy Aita — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:40:11 -0400

A new exhibition that examines the blending of Western and Islamic cultures through the art of Venice is drawing large crowds to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Venice and the Islamic World, 828-1797, explores the exchange of ideas and art objects between the great Italian maritime city and her Islamic neighbors. The exhibition "is an important step ... because Venice is a Western city that had a fruitful and open and positive relationship with the Islamic world for so many, many centuries. It is important we try to convey this message … and educate the American public," Stefano Carboni, administrator of the museum's Department of Islamic Art and the exhibition's curator, tells USINFO.

Foreign Players Help San Antonio Win Basketball Championship

Tim Receveur — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:11:31 -0400

The popularity of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been growing around the world as ever-increasing numbers of international players join NBA rosters and the games are broadcast to more places and in more languages. International basketball players now represent roughly 20 percent of all NBA players.

Documentaries on Social Relations, Politics Win at Film Festival

Carolee Walker — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:46:25 -0400

Films about social and political relations take home audience and jury awards at the Silverdocs 2007 international documentary film festival near Washington. The top award winners are Please Vote for Me, by Chinese director Weijun Chen, and Enemies of Happiness, by Danish filmmaker Eva Mulvad.

Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship Sees Music as Force for Understanding

Louise Fenner — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:54:47 -0400

Four American university students will go overseas to research the music of other cultures and create compact discs, documentary films or Web sites that explore the power of music as a force for global understanding. In separate projects, the students will travel to Cambodia, Panama, South Africa and Jerusalem. While abroad, they will share their experiences on blogs, in photographs and video clips on mtvU, the MTV channel for U.S. colleges and universities. The four are the first winners of the Fulbright-mtvU fellowships, a new partnership between the U.S. Department of State and mtvU, which has 7 million viewers on more than 750 campuses.

Art Exhibition Showcases Works by Students with Disabilities

Carolee Walker — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:45:53 -0400

Kids around the world -- including kids with disabilities -- can share their experiences and reflect their cultures through their writings and artwork. “The arts break barriers,” Abdulmohsen F. Alyas of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia tells USINFO at a reception on Capitol Hill, held in conjunction with the opening of the Culture Scope: Focusing in on My Life exhibition. The exhibit is sponsored by ArtLink, an international cultural exchange program that paired U.S. classrooms with classrooms in 51 other countries.

Kantara’s Message of Peace Blends Tunisian and American Music

Louise Fenner — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:11:07 -0400

Tunisian instruments play old-time Appalachian mountain music at the nation’s cultural center during Kantara’s first U.S. concert tour. “A couple of old fiddle tunes have now become oud and darbouka tunes,” says Brennan Gilmore, a co-founder of the group that performs a fusion of American folk and bluegrass music with traditional Tunisian rhythms and melodies. Many people are surprised that music from two such different cultures could blend, but once people hear the group perform they understand, according to Riadh Fehri, the other founder of Kantara.

Prize-winning Book Recounts Press Role in Civil Rights Era

Jeffrey Thomas — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:46:16 -0400

The success of the U.S. civil rights movement depended largely on national media coverage, the presence of a vibrant black press and a small band of liberal white Southern editors, say journalists Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff. Their book, The Race Beat, won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for history.

Poets Laureate of Two Nations Reach Across the Atlantic

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 11 May 2007 17:49:05 -0400

U.S. poet laureate Donald Hall and British poet laureate Andrew Motion read together at the Library of Congress. British Ambassador to the United States David Manning calls it a “marvelous thing” that the two poets are “talking together and reading their poetry together.” Even though the poets laureate had not met until just days before the Washington reading and are of different generations – Hall is 78 years old, and Motion, 54 -- they had an immediate rapport. The two talk to USINFO about poetry in the United Kingdom and the United States and common misconceptions some have about similarities and differences in the works of poets from the two countries.

Lucille Clifton First Black Woman To Win Lilly Poetry Prize

Jeffrey Thomas — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:51:49 -0400

Poet Lucille Clifton, the first black woman to win the prestigious 2007 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, talks with USINFO about how she sees her work within the context of American poetry. “I’m a contemporary American poet who is African American and female,” Clifton says.

American Indians See Opportunity in Jamestown Anniversary

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 04 May 2007 10:39:46 -0400

In light of their later treatment by European settlers, modern-day American Indians in Virginia might be expected to resent the activities surrounding the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown. But many in the native community are embracing the opportunity to direct popular attention to a more realistic understanding of the complex society the first English colonists encountered, and explain how the American Indian tribes have managed, despite extreme hardship, to maintain their identities.

Citizen’s Almanac Introduces New Americans to Nation’s Symbols

Louise Fenner — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:45:29 -0400

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services presents The Citizen’s Almanac to people who become U.S. citizens. It includes the fundamental documents of American democracy, summaries of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions, important speeches, and a discussion of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Afghan-born Filmmaker Raises Awareness To Help Her Native Land

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:09:34 -0400

When filmmaker Sonia Nassery Cole first saw 9-year-old Farouk, an Afghan boy selling newspapers and calendars on the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, she was determined to share his story with audiences around the world. Cole, an Afghan-born U.S. citizen who was forced to flee her native land in 1979 during the Soviet invasion, long has been active in fundraising efforts to facilitate the reconstruction of Afghanistan. As a philanthropist and a filmmaker, she seeks to focus public attention on the severe problems facing the country.

U.S. Respects Religious Diversity, Muslim Publisher Says

Louise Fenner — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:39:06 -0400

Muslim women living in the United States are finding that religious and cultural differences are widely tolerated and respected, says Tayyibah Taylor, the editor of Azizah magazine, a glossy quarterly written by and for Muslim women in North America. “I think America is the most religiously diverse country in the world,” says Taylor, who was born in Trinidad of Barbadian parents. “You learn how to get along with people who are very different from you. Your differences don’t really become an issue.”

Urban Poetry Walk Takes Verse to the Streets

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:46:32 -0400

April is National Poetry Month, a time when communities across the United States popularize poetry. In New York, restaurants place poems inside diners’ menus. All over, transit systems are “advertising” poems on buses and in subway trains. Here, in a suburb of Washington, poems have sprung up as steel street signs. The Takoma Park signs, designed by local students, feature several works by important African-American poets, including Langston Hughes, Robert Hayden, Lucille Clifton, Toi Derricotte, Rita Dove and Natasha Trethewey.

After Shootings at Virginia Tech, Many Find Solace in Poetry

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:54:38 -0400

“At any time of stress, people are going to turn to poetry. Emotionally, it goes to the heart of things,” poet and Virginia Tech writing teacher Nikki Giovanni tells USINFO. Giovanni says poetry balances a characteristic peculiar to the United States. “It is a quick nation. … Your mother can die, and someone can say, ‘you really need to move on.’” Giovanni delivered a convocation address at Virginia Tech April 17, the day after her former student, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people at the university before taking his own life.

Muslim Women Artists in U.S. Express Their Heritage and Beliefs

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:43:41 -0400

Muslim women artists prominent in the American art scene are exploring and preserving their cultural heritage through paintings, sculpture, jewelry and works on paper. USINFO talks to some of the artists showing works at an annual exhibit sponsored by the organization Muslim Women in the Arts about how their backgrounds and experiences shape their art.

Tribute to Baseball Great Jackie Robinson Benefits Charities

Carolee Walker — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:01:13 -0400

When U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams take the field April 15, some 25 teams will have one player wearing the number 42 and five teams will have each of its players wearing number 42 -- all in tribute to Jackie Robinson, who six decades ago broke baseball’s “color barrier” while wearing that number.

U.S. Community Offers Help When Mosque Suffers Fire Damage

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:24:15 -0400

When the mosque serving the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, was damaged by fire in April 2007, Muslim families were offered a space for prayer services by the Jewish community in the nearby town of Pottsville.

Financial Institutions Expand Products That Target U.S. Muslims

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:36:55 -0400

The University Islamic Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of a bank in Michigan, seeks to serve Muslim customers who do not want to buy a home using traditional home loans, which involve paying interest, because such customers interpret Islamic law as forbidding payment or charging of interest.

Parade Brings Persian New Year Celebration to New York

Carrie Loewenthal — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:12:35 -0400

A spirited crowd celebrated Nowrouz, the Persian New Year, at the fourth annual Persian Parade in New York City as men and women in colorful clothing danced to traditional music and promenaded down Madison Avenue.

World War II African-American Airmen Receive Congressional Medal

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:07:21 -0400

The legendary Tuskegee Airmen, an elite corps of African-American military pilots who served with distinction during World War II, are honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians.

National Museum of Women in the Arts Celebrates 20 Years

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:34:24 -0400

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) -- the world’s only museum dedicated solely to the women artists – exists in part because the obstacles that confronted women artists in the past have not disappeared entirely, officials say.

Historian Stresses Importance of Women's Suffrage

David Anthony Denny — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:53:50 -0400

Prejudice against women "is the challenge the suffragists faced, and they attacked it both politically and culturally," says historian Robert Cooney, author of Winning the Vote: The Triumph of the American Woman Suffrage Movement.

Little Rock Nine Member and Daughter Relive Struggle, Victory

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:58:02 -0400

In 1957, Minnijean Brown defied death threats, hostile mobs and even the Arkansas National Guard to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Now 65, she recalls when she was part of the “Little Rock Nine” -- the first black students to enroll at Central High.

Iranian Americans Welcome Persian New Year March 20

Howard Cincotta — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:01:33 -0400

Few cultural observances are as ancient, colorful and full of symbolism as those for the beginning of the Persian New Year, Nowrouz, marking the first day of spring. For Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America, "Nowrouz is all about hope.”

U.S. Audience Applauds Latest Film from Iranian Director Panahi

Judy Aita — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:35:18 -0400

A New York screening of famed Iranian director Jafar Panahi's film Offside plays to a packed theater. In a discussion following the screening, Columbia University professor Hamid Dabashi, author of new book, Iran: A People Interrupted, Offside "the crowning achievement of Iranian cinema over the last two decades" that has become part and parcel of a body of spectacular presentations of Iranian social and political concerns by Iranian filmmakers.

Volunteerism Is Integral Part of U.S. Culture

Louise Fenner — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:19:41 -0400

Volunteering is “built into the fabric of who we are,” says Desiree Sayle, director of the USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to expand community service throughout America. More than 61 million Americans volunteered for charitable organizations in 2006.

Women's Rights in the United States

Jane Morse — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:54:35 -0400

In the United States, women's rights have a long, constantly evolving history. The U.S. experience shows that, as the status of women advances, so does that of their families, communities, workplaces, and their nation.

Musical Film on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Wins Academy Award

David Shelby — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:23:26 -0400

When University of Southern California film student Ari Sandel set out to make a musical comedy about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, many people warned him that the tragic circumstances in the Middle East are not appropriate material for a comedic venture. But since Sandel’s West Bank Story premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005, it has played more than 100 festivals on five continents and won 25 prizes. This winning streak was capped with the award for best live-action short film from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In accepting the Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony, Sandel says the award shows how many people support the notion of peace in the Middle East. “I truly believe that peace between Israelis and Arabs will be achieved and don’t believe it is a hopeless endeavor,” he says.

Growing Number of Museums Preserving Black History, Culture

Louise Fenner — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 16:28:26 -0400

Museums that focus on the role of African Americans in U.S. history and culture are increasingly popular. “There’s a new generation of museums that are competitive in size and budget with most mainstream museums,” says John Fleming, Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Companies Feted for Encouraging Hispanic Women at Work

Elizabeth Kelleher — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 10:37:42 -0400

LATINA Style magazine for the sixth consecutive honors 50 U.S. companies it says are the best places Hispanic women can work. At an event in Washington, representatives of several of the award-winning companies spoke about the importance of contributions of Hispanic women, and men, to their businesses. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao offers President George W. Bush’s “special affection and appreciation” to the Hispanic businesswomen in a keynote speech.

Companies Say Blacks in Management Give a Competitive Edge

Elizabeth Kelleher — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 10:37:22 -0400

The inclusion of black men and women in the top executive ranks at many of the largest U.S. companies is sound business strategy, not just a nice thing to do or a way to avoid lawsuits, the companies say. A recent snapshot, from research by the Executive Leadership Council in Washington, shows that blacks held 460 of the 2,000 positions that are within four steps of chief executive at Fortune 500 companies.

Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham City Jail"

Amor Safi — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:22:06 -0400

Black Americans Have Rich History in Professional Baseball

David Anthony Denny — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:50:04 -0400

Black Americans have a rich history in professional baseball that dates back 140 years. America.gov looks at the history and cultural role of African Americans in the sport that is called "America’s pastime."

Muslim Rappers Use ”Voice of Youth” To Promote Tolerance

Carolee Walker — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:36:37 -0400

Super Bowl Breaks Ground with First Black Coaches

Eric Green — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:36:18 -0400

While the winner of Super Bowl 41 will not be decided until February 4 in Miami, one result is already in: the victorious head coach of American professional football’s championship game will be African American, as both teams are coached by African Americans. Cyrus Mehri, a Washington lawyer who helped bring about diversity in professional football hiring practices, believes the significance of black head coaches in the Super Bowl transcends sports. “There’s no question that having Super Bowl teams with black head coaches for the first time will have a huge impact” on all of American society, Mehri tells USINFO.

Personal Stories Win at 2007 Sundance Film Festival

Carolee Walker — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:56:04 -0400

Stories crossing cultural and geographical borders took audience and jury awards for documentaries and dramas at the Sundance Film Festival 2007. The grand jury prize winners for dramas and documentaries also crossed the cultural divide: U.S. directors told personal stories involving Latin America.

African-American Newcomers, Veterans Share Political Spotlight

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:35:57 -0400

Growing appreciation of diversity has transformed the U.S. political landscape in recent years, and the country’s 2006 midterm elections ushered in a new wave of promising black politicians. At the same time, those elections also elevated older, more seasoned blacks in Congress, legislators whose experience and seniority are being rewarded with leadership posts. Among the newcomers are Deval Patrick, the new governor of Massachusetts; Georgia’s Hank Johnson, one of two Buddhists elected to the U.S. House of Representatives; and Minnesota’s Keith Ellison, who takes his seat as the first Muslim member elected to Congress.

U.S. Skater Calls Lessons of Being a Champion Athlete Universal

Carolee Walker — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:58:32 -0400

U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy Michelle Kwan came to Beijing to share her experiences as a champion figure skater with Chinese students in the hope of making a difference in their lives. She told them what she learned on the ice is universal: hard work, discipline and dedication.

First Female Speaker To Preside at State of the Union

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:52:33 -0400

When President Bush delivered his annual State of the Union address on January 23, 2007, sitting behind him was a female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for the first time in U.S. history. The speaker is one of the most powerful positions in the government.

Egyptian Author Naguib Mahfouz Sought To Reconcile East and West

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:39:21 -0400

When Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988, he already was the most dominant literary figure in the Arab world, but suddenly his work began to attract a wider audience in the West.

U.S. Olympic Skater Kwan Urges Students to Follow Their Dreams

Carolee Walker — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:54:42 -0400

The first thing Olympic athlete Michelle Kwan learned about ice skating was how to fall, she says. “In skating you fall a lot,” she told a group of students in Beijing January 18. Yet, like any difficult pursuit, Kwan said smiling, you need to pick yourself up and keep practicing to be better.

Amateur Wrestling Enjoys Long and Rich Tradition in United States

Howard Cincotta — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:20:42 -0400

Mention “wrestling” and most Americans think first of the highly publicized spectacles featuring such characters as Hulk Hogan and The Rock. Even its most devoted fans, however, recognize that "professional" wrestling today is purely escapist entertainment that has nothing to do with the real sport that flourishes across the country among youths.

Congressman Takes Oath of Office on Thomas Jefferson’s Quran

David Shelby — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:39:16 -0400

Representative Keith Ellison, Democrat from Minnesota, became the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress January 4, 2007, swearing his oath of office on a copy of the Quran that belonged to the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.

U.S. Swearing-in Ceremonies Highlight Religious Freedom Legacy

Lea Terhune — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:35:19 -0400

Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison’s declaration that he would swear his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, leads to new interest in the protocol for swearing in members of Congress. Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress, and it is the first time that the use of the Quran in oath-taking has drawn national attention. Although historically oaths often have been taken with one hand on the Bible, the Constitution of the United States prohibits linking an individual’s ability to serve with religion.

Baseball Great Jackie Robinson Broke Color Barrier in 1947

David Pitts — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 11:53:10 -0400

Few people can claim to have played a pivotal role in changing their country for the better. One American who earned that distinction during his rather brief lifetime was Jackie Robinson, the first black player to break the color barrier in U.S. major league baseball.

Second-Generation Muslim Immigrants Feel Strong Islamic Identity

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:23:07 -0400

As the children of generations of U.S. immigrants have grown up, they often have drifted away from the cultures of their parents’ home countries. But some experts believe children of Muslim immigrants are different. The younger generation of Muslims in America is forming a “new Islamic identity,” says author Geneive Abdo.

U.S. Playground Designed for Disabled Kids Offers Access to All

Lauren Monsen — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:44:34 -0400

A playground in the Washington suburb of McLean, Virginia, has become such a popular attraction that nearby parking lots cannot accommodate the playground’s overflow crowds. The facility designed to meet the needs of children who have a wide spectrum of disabilities.

U.S. Military Chaplains Support More than 100 Faiths

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:58:54 -0400

As demographics change, the U.S. military has become more intent on facilitating religious practices of all of its members. There are 3,000 military chaplains on active duty and 2,000 in the reserves. Here’s how some chaplains meet the spiritual needs of a military in which 109 faiths are represented.

Acceptance of Religious Garb in U.S. Shows Diversity, Tolerance

Lauren Monsen — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:37:50 -0400

Wearing the hijab (traditional headscarf favored by many Muslim women) at work is unlikely to elicit comments in the United States, primarily because the country always has embraced people of different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, says Seema Matin, an American Muslim who works for the U.S. Department of States.

U.S., International Filmmakers Tell Contemporary Stories

Sehreen Noor Ali — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:04:44 -0400

The story of a Pakistani woman’s courageous search for justice after being gang-raped by her neighbors in a remote village in Pakistan in the summer of 2002 is among four films screened at the American Film Institute’s Silver Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland. USINFO looks at AFI Project: 20/20, part of the Global Cultural Initiative launched by first lady Laura Bush and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes in collaboration with public and private cultural organizations.

People with Intellectual Disabilities Benefit from Sports, Competition

Carolee Walker — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:40:20 -0400

Sports training and competition improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch, says Bob Gobrecht, managing director for Special Olympics North America.

American Indian Musicians Make Many Kinds of Music

Louise Fenner — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:57:42 -0400

American Indian musicians are composing and playing not only traditional music but also works for string quartets, chamber and symphony orchestras, ballet and opera, plus experimental works, jazz, rap and reggae. The First Nations Composer Initiative helps foster their musical and artistic development.

Religious Architecture Celebrates Pluralism in the United States

Lauren Monsen — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:34:14 -0400

The United States is home to adherents of practically every religious faith, and the multiplicity of churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other shrines across the nation is a testament to the principle of religious freedom that enjoys broad protection under the U.S. Constitution. USINFO examines the architectural diversity of U.S. houses of worship that reflects the nation’s religious pluralism.

U.S. Business Opens Doors to People with Disabilities

Elizabeth Kelleher — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:28:27 -0400

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bars discrimination by employers and requires businesses to make accommodations to let a person with a disability to do a job for which he or she is qualified. Companies hiring workers with disabilities say they gain employees who often are skilled at planning ahead or communicating creatively.

Science, History, Music Coalesce in 2006 National Book Awards

Michael J. Bandler — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 18:03:51 -0400

U.S. Olympic Skater Named American Public Diplomacy Envoy

Carolee Walker — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:00:44 -0400

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice names champion figure skater Michelle Kwan the first American public diplomacy envoy. Kwan, 26, is the most competitively successful figure skater in U.S. history, winning five world championships, nine national championships and two Olympic medals.

Youth Interfaith Movement Thrives in United States

Carolee Walker — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 10:33:52 -0400

At U.S. universities with religiously diverse student bodies, students of different faiths connect with each other because each has a strong belief in something, even if that something varies, say young people involved in interdenominational dialogue. Students at Chicago’s DePaul University hold an online discussion about youth and religion.

Persian, Anatolian Music Captivates U.S. Audiences

Lea Terhune — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 14:40:51 -0400

Kayhan Kalhor, Iranian kamancheh master, and Erdal Erzincan, renowned Turkish baglama player, are touring the United States, performing for enthusiastic crowds. But Kalhor tells the Washington File he wants to spend more time in Iran: “There is need for new ideas and music and people who can conduct the musical scene. Because … after the revolution, a number of good artists in every art, not just musicians -- major painters, filmmakers, writers, poets -- they just left the country. And what happened was this big gap between generations.”

Persian Master Says Music Links Cultures

Lea Terhune — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 13:50:18 -0400

U.S. Muslims a Bridge Between Islam and the West

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:33:31 -0400

Film Explores Intersecting Lives of Journalist and Jihadi

Lea Terhune — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 17:31:14 -0400

The lives of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl and British-born Omar Sheikh, an accessory in Pearl's kidnapping, and the fateful intersection of their paths is the focus of The Journalist and the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl, a documentary film directed by South Asia-based Ahmed A. Jamal and Ramesh Sharma in partnership with HBO Documentary Films.

U.S. World Cup Coach Says Sports Can Help At-Risk Youth

Eric Green — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 12:36:11 -0400

Lessons and experiences learned from participating in sports can help at-risk youth succeed in life, says Glenn Myernick, the assistant coach for the 2006 U.S. World Cup football team. Myernick sees sports as a metaphor for life in that it teaches discipline and cooperation within a group.

Hispanic Americans Contributing to the American Mosaic

Eric Green — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 14:55:58 -0400

Hispanics, the largest minority group in the United States, are changing American society and culture. As more and more Hispanic Americans are making their presence felt in their chosen fields, the 21st century likely will witness even greater Hispanic contributions to U.S. society and culture.

Muslim, Jewish Communities Secure Halal-Kosher Labeling Law

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:57:26 -0400

Muslim and Jewish communities in the state of Virginia successfully have lobbied for enactment of a halal/kosher labeling statute. This is one example of a partnership between communities to advocate common goals -- the essence of the American political system.

With Women As Top Bosses, Other Women Gain

Elizabeth Kelleher — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 10:33:14 -0400

American women earn higher pay and a gender gap in income narrows significantly when other women in their workplaces reach senior positions, according to a recent study. “When women reach into the upper reaches of management – not just any managerial job, but higher-status managerial jobs – the women who work below them benefit,” says sociologist Philip Cohen of the University of North Carolina, who co-authored the study with Matt Huffman of the University of California. Low-level women managers have no effect on women’s wages, the study shows. While half of all managers in the United States are women, many are not in decision-making positions, according to Cohen.

U.S. Sports Star Returns to Congo To Open Hospital

Judy Aita — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 11:21:29 -0400

American basketball star Dikembe Mutombo is returning to his hometown of Kinshasa in September to open the Democratic Republic of Congo's first new hospital in more than 40 years, a hospital he helped build.

Reggaeton Making Inroads in U.S. Music Market

Anita N. Wadhwani — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:08:47 -0400

It has been called hip-hop spiced with Spanish flavor and it has swept over the United States, especially in Latin communities. A mix of dancehall reggae, hip-hop, salsa, merengue, cumbia and other Caribbean beats fused together and known as reggaeton it is the newest music-genre to hit the West.

Foreign Born in the United States Become More Dispersed

Elizabeth Kelleher — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:35:38 -0400

There were 36 million foreign-born people in the United States in 2005. Immigrants are dispersing to areas beyond their traditional U.S. destinations. Seven Southern states and Nebraska and New Hampshire experienced faster growth in their foreign-born populations than the United States overall.

Hip-Hop About "Giving Voice to the Voiceless," Rap Artist Says

Michelle Austein — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:10:24 -0400

Hip-hop artists are part of a "global family" because of their shared passion for their music, says American rap artist Toni Blackman. Rap is "about giving voice to the voiceless," she says. "It can definitely be used as a tool for diplomacy.”

Scholar Discusses Diversity of American Culture

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:33:14 -0400

Today's Americans are a "mosaic or tapestry where people can keep their ethnic, national, racial, religious or even sexual identity and they are still completely American,” Gary Weaver, of American University's School of International Service, tells participants in a USINFO webchat.

Founder Outlines Creation, Mission of First Muslim Sorority in U.S.

Kate Ericsson — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:55:09 -0400

In 2005 Althia Collins co-founded the first sorority based on Islamic principles, Gamma Gamma Chi, when her daughter Imani Abdul-Haqq could not find a sorority that was compatible with her Islamic faith.

Minority Groups Now One-Third of U.S. Population

Michael Jay Friedman — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:02:08 -0400

The U.S. Census Bureau announcement that one-third of U.S. residents claim "minority" heritage reflects the vitality of an American national identity that transcends race, religion and class.

Hollywood Festival Showcases Works of U.A.E. Film Students

Chris Thornton — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:38:52 -0400

“Through a Different Lens,” a festival at the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinema showcases films of 15 students from American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Five of the students travel to Los Angeles to attend the screenings. The films that generated the most interest were not those that mimicked the Hollywood style but rather those that captured something of the character and flavor of the Middle East, the students say.

International Students Find Friendship Through Sports, Arts

Cecilia Martin — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 12:19:16 -0400

Sports and arts are a means of fostering international goodwill at the World Scholar-Athlete Games in Kingston, Rhode Island, where nearly 2,000 secondary school students from around the globe have gathered for a week of friendly competition and collaboration from June 24 to July 2.

Muslim Sorority Opens New Doors to American University Women

Steve Holgate — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:46:34 -0400

Founded in April 2005, the Gamma Gamma Chi sorority has dedicated itself to giving young women the positive aspects of a sorority experience while maintaining Islamic traditions.

Young International Footballers Scrimmage with U.S. Youth Teams

Tim Receveur — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:57:54 -0400

On a beautiful night in Northern Virginia, a summer football match goes on in the park as on many other nights, but on this night there is a world of difference. An Arabic chant cheers a team with players from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bolivia, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Young Arab Football Players Hone Skills During U.S. Visit

David Shelby — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:00:28 -0400

Eight young men and women from Bahrain, Lebanon and Morocco are among the 30 athletes participating in a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department that includes visits to U.S. sports facilities, scrimmages with American football teams and meetings with U.S. leaders, including President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Sports Initiative Brings Together Youths from Around the World

Cassie Duong — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:59:10 -0400

Thirty football-playing boys and girls from 13 countries get an opportunity to experience life and sports in the United States and then attend the World Cup in Germany. The athletes, aged 13 to 18, come from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bolivia, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

World’s Top Young Football Players in U.S. for World Cup Program

Tim Receveur — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:19:21 -0400

When the 2006 World Cup kicked off in Germany June 9, some teams from six continents joined shared in one of the greatest experiences in the world’s most popular sporting event. A microcosm of the World Cup also began in the United States June 11 when 30 secondary-school football stars from 13 countries launched the World Cup Sports Initiative.

Protections Under U.S. Disabilities Act Defined by Courts

Michael Jay Friedman — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 15:56:48 -0400

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, legislation intended to protect the rights of those with physical or cognitive limitations, defines "disability" as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.”

Basketball Star Dikembe Mutombo Joins Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Kathryn McConnell — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:19:05 -0400

Professional basketball star Dikembe Mutombo first became aware of HIV/AIDS when he was a high school student in his native Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Not much was known about the disease then. Mutombo, who plays with the Houston Rockets, came to the United States to study medicine, with the goal of returning home to help correct health problems.

Americans with Disabilities Act Transforms Lives

Michael Jay Friedman — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 15:52:21 -0400

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects the full and equal civil rights of Americans who have physical or mental impairments. It mirrors substantially the protections of the Civil Rights Act. The Census Bureau reports that more than 51 million Americans -- about 18 percent of the total population -- are in some way disabled.

Hip-Hop Culture Crosses Social Barriers

Carol Walker — Sat, 13 May 2006 11:34:09 -0400

American Toni Blackman Takes Hip-Hop to Asia

Carol Walker — Sat, 13 May 2006 11:30:21 -0400

U.S. Diversity Increasing, Census Data Show

Charlene Porter — Wed, 10 May 2006 10:32:53 -0400

Reading Program Raises Foreign Authors' Profiles in United States

Michael Jay Friedman — Tue, 09 May 2006 18:33:49 -0400

One-Book Programs Sweep the United States

Steve Holgate — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 12:09:26 -0400

In Portland, Oregon, thousands of residents are reading The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. In Brownsburg, Indiana, the book of choice is Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom. In Westport, Connecticut, they are reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon. In the metropolis of Los Angeles, the book is Walter Mosley’s Little Scarlet, while in the tiny nearby community of Malibu, home of movie stars and surfers, they are reading Gidget, the story of a girl's discovery of surfing and love. Each of these cities and towns has adopted a single book through One-Book programs, an idea started in 1998 by librarian Nancy Pearl.

Paralympic Athlete Aids World's Disabled

Michael Jay Friedman — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 15:15:39 -0400

Cheri Blauwet, a wheelchair race competitor and gold medalist in the Paralympics, distributed wheelchairs, training and hope to the disabled in Angola, Ethiopia and Malawi.

U.S. Women’s Football Player Sees Sport Growing in United States

Sara Feuerstein — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:24:58 -0400

Football fans worldwide enjoyed the unique opportunity to interview one of America’s leading ladies in sports, U.S. women’s football player Cat Whitehill, in a recent webchat. Whitehill discussed topics ranging from her opinion on European and American attitudes toward football to her predictions for the World Cup and advice for aspiring young players.

U.S. Businesswomen Moving into the Executive Suite

Elizabeth Kelleher — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:32:35 -0400

Women’s participation in the U.S. work force, especially in upper management, is changing dramatically, with women now holding half of all managerial positions. Those studying the work force changes, in interviews with the Washington File, predict this trend will continue as women assume top positions in the nation’s largest companies.

Latin Little Leaguers Participate in Baseball Exchange Program

Scott Miller — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:56:26 -0400

An exchange program organized by the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with Major League Baseball (MLB) is providing Little League baseball players and coaches from Venezuela and Nicaragua an opportunity to attend the inaugural World Baseball Classic, learn new training techniques and experience a shared love of baseball.

Poetry Slams Rock Literary World

Steve Holgate — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:22:11 -0400

Women Play Key Role Shaping U.S. History, Society, Scholar Says

Mark Betka — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 13:07:05 -0400

American women have made and continue to make important contributions to society, says historian Susan Ware, but more can be done for women worldwide to improve parity with men on such issues as salaries and access to social benefits.

Global Talents Take Honors at 78th U.S. Film Industry Awards

Michael J. Bandler — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 11:26:12 -0400

Filmmaking talent from around the globe is recognized in the United States’ pre-eminent movie competition -- the Academy Awards, known as Oscars, presented by the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The list of winners and nominees underscore the fact that the U.S. film industry -- rather than being a monolith -- actually is quite decentralized, with independently financed films a solid segment of the mix and foreign artists and craftsmen primary contributers.

Paralympic Winter Games a Testament to Athletic Determination

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:17:02 -0400

Fifty-five Americans entered the 9^th Paralympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2006. The first Paralympic Winter Games were held in Sweden in 1976. Six different disability groups are allowed to compete in the games.

The World Baseball Classic a Global Salute to the Sport

Michael Bandler — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 11:03:20 -0400

Baseball is, by most measurements, an American game -- invented in the United States sometime in the mid-19th century -- but now has become a world sport. In recognition of the explosion of interest in the sport around the globe, the first annual World Baseball Classic will take place March 3-20 in venues in the continental United States, Japan and Puerto Rico.

Latino Contributions to Major League Baseball Exhibited in United States

Eric Green — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 11:02:14 -0400

Professional baseball, once believed to be the near-exclusive domain of the United States, is launching a five-year campaign, dubbed "Baseball! ¡Béisbol! -- Sharing the Passion," to highlight the passion and talent bestowed on the game by ballplayers from Latin America and the Caribbean.

U.S. Skating Champion Donates Olympic Winnings to Darfur Refugees

Helen I. Rouce — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 12:06:51 -0400

U.S. speed skater Joey Cheek, who won the Olympic gold medal February 13 in the 500-meter speedskating event at Torino, Italy, is using his winnings to help refugees from the Darfur region of western Sudan.

President Bush Honors Dance Theatre of Harlem

Michael Jay Friedman — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 15:21:22 -0400

Super Bowl Sunday an Unofficial Holiday for Millions

Michael Jay Friedman — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 11:29:07 -0400

Each year, on a Sunday at the end of January or beginning of February, tens of millions of Americans declare their own unofficial holiday. Gathered in groups large and small, more than half the adult population participates vicariously in a televised spectacle that has far outgrown its origins as a sporting event.

Diverse, Dynamic New York City Looks to the Future

Michael Jay Friedman — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 11:39:23 -0400

From its earliest days as a Dutch settlement – New Amsterdam -- on the southern tip of Manhattan Island, the community that grew into today’s New York City was relatively open and cosmopolitan. Over time, immigrant groups gradually have assumed more prominent roles in every aspect of city life.

U.S. Marks 50th Anniversary of Montgomery Bus Boycott

Michael J. Friedman — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 17:14:57 -0400

America Pays Respects to Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks

Michael Jay Friedman — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:29:17 -0400

In ceremonies from Montgomery, Alabama, to the nation’s Capitol, Americans honor the life of Rosa Parks, whose refusal to relinquish her seat on a segregated bus helped spark the U.S. civil rights movement.

Civil Rights Catalyst Rosa Parks Dead at 92

Michael Jay Friedman — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 13:13:56 -0400

On December 1, 1955, African-American seamstress Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama, bus and was fined and jailed. This act of courage set an example that helped ignite the U.S. civil rights movement. Parks, 92, died of natural causes on October 24, 2005.

New Orleans: The City That Gave Us Jazz

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 11:25:01 -0400

New Orleans, the devastated but recovering city, will be forever associated with the birth of jazz music, the first original art form developed in the United States, which went on to spread across the continent and around globe during the 20^th century. As people are coming to terms with the human devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, many in the United States and around the world also are concerned over the fate of the places where New Orleans’ musical heritage originated.

Muslims Integrating and Finding Acceptance in American Society

Tim Receveur — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 17:36:00 -0400

Alkhatib, a Michigan lawyer who is deeply involved in civil rights issues, believes that the U.S. government’s policy of tolerance and acceptance is largely responsible for the successful integration of Arab Americans and Muslims into American society.

Commemorative Stamps Honor Civil Rights Movement

Louise Fenner — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 16:31:52 -0400

First Female Demonstration Pilot Joins U.S. Fighter Jet Team

Elizabeth Farabee — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 19:03:28 -0400

In 2005 the U.S. Air Force named the first female demonstration pilot -- Captain Nicole Malachowski of Nevada -- to its elite and highly competitive air demonstration squadron team known as the Thunderbirds.

Carter G. Woodson, Father of Black History

Lerone Bennett, Jr. — Mon, 06 Jun 2005 11:12:20 -0400

Seneca Falls Convention Began Women’s Rights Movement

Deborah M.S. Brown — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 11:15:10 -0400

A convention in Seneca Falls , New York, in July 1848, called "to discuss the social, civil and religious condition and rights of woman," became the genesis for the women's rights movement.

Declaration of Sentiments Urged Equal Rights for Women

Louise Fenner — Tue, 31 May 2005 12:38:43 -0400

The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions were drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton for the women's rights convention at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. Based on the American Declaration of Independence, the Sentiments demanded equality with men before the law, in education and employment.

Bush Pledges Support for African-American History Museum

Matthew Pritchard — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 10:15:37 -0400

In 2005, a little more than a year after signing legislation to establish a new museum under the Smithsonian Institution for African American history and culture, President Bush pledged that he and first lady Laura Bush would be among the first contributors to make the museum a reality in Washington.

National Museum of the American Indian Will Open September 21

Lauren Monsen — Mon, 13 Sep 2004 19:33:33 -0400

Nation Celebrates Anniversary of Landmark Civil Rights Law

Michael J. Friedman — Thu, 24 Jun 2004 17:48:14 -0400

2004 marks the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2 of that year, it declared illegal certain long-practiced forms of discrimination, authorized the government to act against others and, perhaps most significantly, demonstrated a political consensus to wield federal authority against legal inequity "on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin."

50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

Michael J. Friedman — Mon, 17 May 2004 11:06:16 -0400

Religious and Community Leaders Experience U.S. Diversity

Phyllis McIntosh — Mon, 12 May 2003 15:46:18 -0400

Twenty religious and community leaders from the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan -- an area struggling to reconnect with its pre-Soviet Muslim traditions -- had an opportunity to see how people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds coexist peacefully in the United States, thanks to the Community Connections Program of the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Classical Music Very Much Alive in the United States

Ralph Dannheisser — Fri, 04 Apr 2003 15:41:42 -0400

Despite premature reports of its demise, the classical genre is still very much alive. Most orchestras sound better than ever and opera companies are attracting more young people, says Tim Smith, author and classical music critic for the Baltimore Sun.

U.S. Composers Not Afraid of Being Popular

Ralph Dannheisser — Tue, 01 Apr 2003 09:50:44 -0400

Today U.S. operatic music is more listener-friendly and there's more of a chance that it will be accepted by audiences, says David Gockley, the San Francisco Opera general director known for commissioning new opera works and promoting new talents.

John Herrington First American Indian to Walk in Space

Louise Fenner — Tue, 03 Dec 2002 08:23:57 -0400

The first tribally registered American Indian astronaut launches into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 23, 2002. John Bennett Herrington of the Chickasaw Nation is also the first American Indian to walk in space.

Film Festivals in the United States

Janine Perry — Thu, 09 May 2002 17:11:54 -0400

Public interest in and support for film festivals has grown throughout the United States, giving new filmmakers broad exposure and audiences varied entertainment.

About This Issue

Janine Perry — Thu, 09 May 2002 18:43:43 -0400

There could be no one better to introduce our issue to international youth than First Lady Laura Bush. Since coming to the White House in January 2001, she has devoted considerable time and energy to issues of education, health, and human rights, traveling widely, and often speaking to young audiences.

Lessons Learned: A Conversation with the Teacher of the Year

Janine Perry — Thu, 09 May 2002 17:47:55 -0400

In April 2005, Jason Kamras achieved an enviable milestone when President Bush named him the 2005 National Teacher of the Year, the oldest and most prestigious award for elementary and secondary school educators in the United States. The first to be selected from a school in the District of Columbia.

Bush Presents Congressional Gold Medals to Navajo Code Talkers

Butler Gray — Thu, 26 Jul 2001 12:36:03 -0400

President Bush on July 26, 2001, presents the Congressional Gold Medal to four of the five living Navajo "Code Talkers" and to relatives of the other 24 who developed encrypted messages in the Navajo language that were never broken by the Japanese and helped the United States win World War II.