Category Archives: African American history

Wyoming Equality Day

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. and Wyoming Equality Day! Ronald Reagan signed a bill in 1983 that established Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a nationally observed holiday.  It was not until 1986 that it was first observed; 2000 was … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, Politics | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Elizabeth Byrd, Wyoming Politician

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

We continue our celebration of Black History Month by drawing much-deserved attention to Elizabeth Byrd.  She was another Wyoming “First,” in that she was the first African-American to serve in the Wyoming House of Representatives, as well as in the … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, women's history | Leave a comment

Black History Month Highlight: Bill Pickett

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

In honor of Black History Month, the AHC would like to share some of our collection material that highlights African-American life in the West and beyond. The Cowboy The original cowboy archetype in the US imagination was tall, rangy, and … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Black 14 Panel Discussion Reaches Wyoming High School Students

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

The AHC’s Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership held a panel discussion of participants from the Black 14 incident that occurred at the University in 1969. The panel occurred on September 22, 2010 and is available for … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, events, outreach, University of Wyoming, Wyoming history | Leave a comment

Black 14 Films at AHC and Online

Posted on October 12, 2010 by

In October 1969, fourteen Black college football players were dismissed from the University of Wyoming football team because they wanted to wear armbands when playing against Brigham Young University to protest the alleged racial policies of the Church of Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, newly digitized collections, undergraduate students, University of Wyoming | Leave a comment

Papers of African American Educator and Legislator, Harriet “Liz” Byrd at AHC

Posted on October 7, 2010 by

The American Heritage Center has recently updated the finding aid for the Harriett Elizabeth Byrd family papers to include Ms. Byrd’s most recent donation to the Center.  In 1980, after teaching elementary school for nearly thirty years, “Liz” Byrd was … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, exhibits, women's history | Leave a comment