It’s getting closer–those three days of freedom.

Today is the anniversary of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88–352, 78 Stat. 241, enacted July 2, 1964)
“…a landmark piece of civil rights legislation in the United States[5] that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public (known as “public accommodations”).” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964 And so we advanced on OVER COMING the inequality which was so evident to even my 17 year old self in 1964.

A little over a year later: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1973–1973bb-1)[7]:372 …a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement on August 6, 1965, and Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections…the Act is considered to be the most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_Rights_Act. Many believe that

the Voting Rights Act was what truly changed power relationships and gave African Americans actual access to political power. As a result, real changes that had been brewing for decades and escalating in the 1950s and early 1960s finally came to fruition.

http://docsouth.unc.edu/sohp/A-0080/excerpts/excerpt_2499.html

and the final act of the the 60’s trio: The Civil Rights Act signed into law in April 1968–popularly known as the Fair Housing Act–prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin and sex. Intended as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the bill…passed…in the days after the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The act stands as the final great legislative achievement of the civil rights era.

GOOGLE CIVIL RIGHT COLLECTIBLES:

Civil rights pins From $9 for a simple We Shall Over Come to $249 for an Integrate Cincinnati School’s one

1960s Milton Glaser Poster of Dick Gregory Humorist & Civil Rights Activist $250

Original 1960’s Martin Luther King Jr. Photograph $429

Julian Bond – Photograph Signed $1,250

We have not fixed all that needs fixed, we have not freed all that need freed but like the song:
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Respect all and really care!

Back for more American history Dragon Lair Diva style? Today’s info came from a book previously featured on a Book Drop: The Camel Club by Baldacci. In it he gives some interesting information on the “Hail to the Chief” which is played whenever the President of the US formally enters a room or event.

First he states that the practice started with President James Polk (1795-1849) (served as the 11th U.S. president from 1845 to 1849. http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-polk). My research found that it was first played in association with the president in 1812 to honor George Washington, and several times later but that First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, encouraged its regular use in this manner after it was used at James Polk’s inauguration. Baldacci states that Polk’s wife was furious that her “diminutive, homely husband was often totally ignored when making an entrance.” and that was her motivation. It did not however become official until “Under the term of Harry Truman the Department of Defense made it the official tribute to the President.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_to_the_Chief

His second bit of information seems startling. That the words to the music are Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem The Lady of the Lake which described the demise of a Scottish Chieftain who was betrayed and then executed by the king. It is part of the musings of Captain Jack, a terrorist who is planning a similar fate for a fictional leader. He quotes: “O who would wish to be thy king?”. However I did find one of many newer versions:

“Hail to the Chief” by Albert Gamse
Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

–and I don’t think anybody much remembers the old words, but it still gives a chill.

GOOGLE HAS LOTS OF HAIL

4 Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Air Force Gala 1990, Hail To The $12

Hail to The Chief Poster Movie $16

The Marine Corps Salutes Lyndon Baines Johnson Lp 1968 $20

George W. Bush Jack In The Box “hail To The Chief” $49 (you wouldn’t believe how many of these there are)

James K. Polk was a sickly child who suffered from gallstones until he was seventeen…(when) he had them surgically removed without anesthesia or sterilization. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/jameskpolk/tp/Top-10-Things-To-Know-About-James-K-Polk.htm

“We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it.”
Barack Obama

BYE BYE