Washington's Dispatches

LOC Valentines

Happy Valentine’s Day!

02/13/2026

What does Valentine’s Day mean to us today, other than a warm-up holiday for George Washington’s birthday on February 22? What did it mean in the past?

  • Cotillion Club
  • Dances
  • Elms
  • St. Valentine's Day
  • Archives
George and Barbara Bush, a moment of frivolity

George H. W. and Barbara Bush speak at Ҵý

02/10/2026

The Bushes’ visit to Ҵý provides an example of political civility that has been lacking in recent years.

  • Barbara Bush
  • Political Discourse
  • President George H. W. Bush
  • USA 250th
  • Archives
Header of the Joint Resolution of the thirty eight congress of the USA

Maryland and the 13th Amendment

02/03/2026

The Old-Line State has always had a difficult relationship with slavery.

  • 13th amendment
  • Race
  • Slavery
  • USA 250th
  • Archives
Still from Cornel West lecture

James M. Cain’s first novel, Our Government

01/30/2026

From the very beginning of our nation’s birth 250 years ago, it has been the policy of many writers, illustrators, playwrights, and other creators to skewer the United States Government for whatever shenanigans the bureaucracy is up to.

  • James M. Cain
  • Satire
  • USA 250th
  • Special Collections
Still from JFK inauguration

John F. Kennedy, Robert Frost, and Ҵý

01/27/2026

The first poet invited to speak at a Presidential inauguration, and the President who invited him, both have a connection to Ҵý.

  • John F. Kennedy
  • Robert Frost
  • USA 250th
  • Archives
Dr. Nathan Smith teaching

In Memory of Nate Smith, 1930-2026

01/23/2026

On January 16, 2026, Professor of History Emeritus Nate Smith passed away, just a few weeks before his 96th birthday.

  • Civil Rights Movement
  • Dr. Nathan Smith (1930-2026)
  • History Department
  • Archives
Still from Cornel West lecture

Cornel West speaks at Ҵý

01/20/2026

On March 1st, 2001, Dr. Cornel West spoke at Ҵý as part of the Casey Academic Center Forum. The topic was “Race in the 21st Century.”

  • Cornel West
  • Democracy
  • Race
  • USA 250th
  • Archives
The Collegian, December 14, 1927

Ghosts of Holidays Past

12/02/2025

A look at past celebrations of the Holidays at Ҵý.

  • Celebrations
  • Christmas
  • Hanukah
  • Holidays
  • The Collegian
  • The Elm
  • Archives