History

Barbara Jordan was a trailblazing American politician, civil rights leader, and the first Southern Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Ellen Curtin chronicles Jordan's life in her book, She Changed the Nation.

Roy Orbison was a West Texas boy with an operatic voice. He was drawn to the guitar at age six. His monumental global career successes were matched by extraordinary personal tragedies. Jeff Slate is the co-author of the book The Authorized Roy Orbison.

Born on the dance floor in the 1970s amidst the shadow of post-Nixon America and a bruising recession, Disco offered an escape from American disillusionment and economic hardship. Disco celebrated inclusivity, hedonism, and liberation. When it became a commercial success, it became a cultural force that may have seemed vacant and superficial, but there was a deeper cultural significance. David Hamsley writes about that in his book To Disco, with Love: The Records That Defined an Era.

A new cover story from "Texas Monthly" chronicles the lineage of the Longhorn, from feral breeds in Spain to today’s Texas ranches.

She died last week after a lifetime of historic preservation and writing.

Voces director and founder Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez reflects on the work Voces has done for the last quarter century and the road ahead.

A National Historic Landmark recognizes the contributions of braceros, the strong-armed men from Mexico, who filled critical labor shortages when American met were fighting World War II and the Korean War.

Barbara Jordan was a trailblazing American politician, civil rights leader, and the first Southern Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mary Ellen Curtin chronicles Jordan's life in her book, She Changed the Nation.

D-Day is one of history’s greatest and most unbelievable military and human triumphs. Though the full campaign lasted just over a month, the surprise landing of over 150 thousand Allied troops on the morning of June 6, 1944, is understood to be the moment that ultimately led to the defeat of the Nazis. How should we remember and honor the heroic sacrifices of D-Day?

The exhibit, open until Sept. 2, showcases family, community and Chicano culture in Texas lowriding.