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He was destined for a statue in a park, and was practicing the pose for it.

William Allen White on William McKinley

Published in The Autobiography of William Allen White (1946)

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Have you ever laid awake at night wondering what the correct use of a semi-colon is?

Fear not! The Oxford Dictionaries Community is now on hand to answer any questions you may have about grammar, language, and practical writing.

You can either join an old topic of conversation or create a new topic. We look forward to seeing you there!

Image: Grammar, © Devonyu, via iStock Photo

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July 10th 1925: Scopes Monkey Trial begins

On this day in 1925 the trial of John Scopes, who stood accused of teaching evolution and thus violating Tennessee’s Butler Act, began. The trial drew the attention of the nation, as to many it seemed as if Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution itself was on trial, especially its compatibility with religion (namely Christian Creationism). The most famous lawyers of the day argued the case, with former Democratic nominee for President William Jennings Bryan prosecuting and Clarence Darrow defending. Scopes was ultimately found guilty of teaching evolution, but was let free on a technicality. The trial was one of the most dramatic and famous in history and has since become synonymous with religious backlash against scientific progress.

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Great artwork from George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, reflective of his campaign slogan, “Come Home America.”

It’s featured in the Library of Congress’ recent coffee table book, Presidential Campaign Posters From the Library of Congress: Two Hundred Years of Election Art, though per the LOC entry, it was never an official poster.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-USZC4-14781], Design: Alix Nelson, Paul Weller, Paul Bacon, Copyright 1972 Darien House, Inc., A Contemporary Poster Classic, Distributed exclusively by Darien House, Inc., New York City

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Prose = words in their best order;—poetry = the best words in the best order.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834, English, poet, critic, and philosopher. (via oupacademic)

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The week’s best editorial cartoons

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\O/

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Overdue Update

I posted almost a month ago to report that I had two campus interviews. To my surprise, I got a job offer. If you asked me after the visits, which school would be more likely to contact me, it wouldn't be the one that made the offer. I was truly surprised by the call, but beyond grateful.

I then spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how I'm going to get tenure. I kind of skipped the step where you celebrate, but I did feel some relief for a day or two. I spent part of this week trying to figure out what books I want to assign for the two classes I will be teaching in the fall, so I kind of feel like I've started already. I think it is difficult to transition from job market desperation to some form of security. Right now, I'm preparing to go to commencement in a month and spend three weeks in the archive. 

I'm probably still in shock.

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Louis Kahn by Andreas Levers

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Our own Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero, will introduce President Carter tonight at the Civil Rights Summit in Austin, Texas.

In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library is hosting the summit on April 8, 9, and 10. You can watch the panel discussions and keynote address live on their website: http://www.civilrightssummit.org/updates/ The keynote speakers include President Barack Obama and three former Presidents: Jimmy Carter will speak on April 8; Bill Clinton will speak on April 9; and George W. Bush will speak on the evening of April 10.

Learn more about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in our new Google Cultural Institute exhibit, which includes videos, letters, telegrams, meeting minutes, and high resolution photos. 

Image: LBJ signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Serial Number: A1030-17a Date: 08/06/1965. Credit: LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto.

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"Picketer In the Rain" - Early 1960s

Photo by Marion J. Porter

Via Nutrais.org

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A cartoon by William Haefeli. Take a look at more cartoons from this week’s issue: http://nyr.kr/1hsBukx

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What can you say about this idea?

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The Past Week

Amazingly, I had two campus interviews this week. The whole thing was a bit surreal. I had my first visit two years ago and suddenly had two in a week. One job seemed like a poor fit for me, but the second one was exciting because I could imagine myself working there. The first job was at a R1 school where I gave a job talk and the second was at a teaching-focused university where I gave a lecture (on Nazi philosophy and the origins of WWII). At first, I was hesitant about the lecture because it isn't my expertise, but I ended up enjoying the lecture much more. I realized (or remembered) that I really enjoy teaching and interacting with students.

This week will be filled with keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm finishing up a conference paper this weekend. I'm still tired from the busy week I had, so I'm looking forward to a quieter week. I've now had 5 interviews this season and I have a 6th in a couple of weeks via Skype. I really do want the job at the second university I went to, but this whole process has been encouraging because I am beginning to think that I just might find a job in academia. I could never feel hopeful with one interview a year, but more opportunities to interview leads me to believe that I will find work in this world. I just have to keep sending out applications.

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I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.

Aldous Huxley, Point Counter Point  (via bookmania)

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LBJ’s speech urging passage of the Voting Rights Act.   March 15, 1965.

-from the LBJ Library

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Mr. McGinniss’s books examined political figures like Sarah Palin and Richard M. Nixon and, in ‘Fatal Vision,’ a notorious criminal case.

“The Selling of the President,” in contrast to the respectful “Making of the President” campaign books by the historian Theodore H. White, was redolent of iconoclasm and the countercultural attitude prevalent among his generation of reporters. He quoted Mr. Ailes as saying at the time: “Let’s face it, a lot of people think Nixon is dull. Think he’s a bore,” adding, “They look at him as the kind of kid who always carried a book bag. Who was 42 years old the day he was born.”

The book was a mammoth best seller and a revelation to many readers, introducing them to what is well understood as a tenet of political campaigns today: that they are driven by manipulative intent. The New York Times critic Christopher Lehmann-Haupt described the book as “stinging, bitterly comic, a series of smartly turned out scenes from backstage at the 1968 Presidential turkey raffle.”