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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLIVE Dedication Ceremony: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture
Last edited Sat Sep 24, 2016, 10:31 AM - Edit history (1)
https://nmaahc.si.edu/http://www.ustream.tv/channel/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture
Edit: adding CSPN link so that I can people watch until it starts!
https://www.c-span.org/video/?415014-1/smithsonian-national-museum-african-american-history-culture-opens-dc&live
shenmue
(38,506 posts)bigtree
(85,998 posts)... thanks for posting demmiblue!
shenmue
(38,506 posts)demmiblue
(36,865 posts)demmiblue
(36,865 posts)The two songs:
malaise
(269,054 posts)Don't plan to move
I am shocked that John Roberts is speaking
add
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)The Obamas are in the house!
PCIntern
(25,556 posts)Wow.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I know she's too classy to whisper "suck it", like I would've done in that position.
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)I may need tissues.
(Angela Basset was awesome, btw)
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)and a member of the Board of Regents. Interesting factoid about the board:
As specified in the Smithsonian's charter, the Chief Justice of the United States and the Vice President of the United States are ex officio members of the Board, meaning that they serve as a duty of their office. The Chief Justice also serves as the Chancellor of the Smithsonian.
There are six congressional Regents: three Senators are appointed by the President pro tempore of the United States Senate and three Representatives are appointed by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Their terms on the Board coincide with their elected terms in Congress, and they may be reappointed to the Board if reelected.
Nine Regents are from the general public, two of whom must reside in the District of Columbia and seven of whom must be inhabitants of the 50 states (but no two from the same state). Each is nominated by the Board of Regents and appointed for a statutory term of six years by a Joint Resolution of the Congress, which is then signed into law by the President. In accordance with the Bylaws adopted by the Board of Regents in 1979, citizen members may not serve more than two successive terms.
https://www.si.edu/Governance/Members
malaise
(269,054 posts)demmiblue
(36,865 posts)malaise
(269,054 posts)in terms of protocol - Clinton before Roberts
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)My link started buffering.
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,692 posts)I'm not always proud of my country, but as I watch this, I certainly am.
lindysalsagal
(20,692 posts)I have a date later!
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)The speech, the bells... just everything.
That was a beautiful ceremony.
Evergreen Emerald
(13,069 posts)This is more than a great opening ceremony. It is an honoring of the history and people.
malaise
(269,054 posts)Did you see Bush give Obama his phone to take a pic - damn he was hugging someone. Look what I lived too see. Lift Every Voice and sing!
demmiblue
(36,865 posts)The bell in question is called the Freedom Bell, and it was specially restored for the event. Cast in 1886 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Williamsburg, Virginias historic First Baptist Church, the bell has long stood silent. That will all change on Friday, though, as the newly restored bell makes a trip to Washington for the the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As the President rings the Freedom Bell in lieu of a ribbon-cutting, bells all over the country will ring in unison. At last count, at least 17 churches around the nation had plans to ring their bells in celebration.
Everythings coming full circle, says Pastor Reverend Dr. Reginald Davis, who presides over the congregation of First Baptist. Davis wasnt in churchhe was riding on a bus that accompanied the bell from Williamsburg to Washington. And for the pastor, who is known for his scholarship on African-American icons like Frederick Douglass and his work interpreting scripture through an African-American lens, the bell means more than a chance to ring in a new museum.
This bell represents the spirit of America, Davis explains. For over a century, its been connected with a church whose history reads like a litany of the struggles and challenges faced by African-Americans throughout the nations history. Founded in 1776, the church was founded in defiance of laws that prevented black people from congregating or preaching. Gowan Pamphlet, the churchs first pastor, organized secret church outdoor church services for slaves and free people and survived whippings and accusations of criminal activity for the sake of his freedom to worship. But the church survived, and in memory of the congregations struggle for liberty and the wider struggles of African-Americans, the churchs womens auxiliary raised money for a commemorative bell.
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/historic-bell-helps-ring-new-african-american-history-museum-180960545/?no-ist