Explore these primary resources to learn about the free speech movement, particularly in California, determine who the leaders were, where the center of activity was, and what the message was that students were trying to convey.

This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Mary Lou Williams, a jazz pianist who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s. This site, rich in detail and breadth...

Biographical sketch of jazz pianist, Mary Lou Williams, who performed with and composed for many of the great jazz artists of the 1940s and '50s.

This page contains information about Steamer Day that took place in San Francisco in the late 1800s.

Jack de Lorme was a photographer for the Calgary Sun in the 1950s. His photographs form the basis for this exhibit which explores the city of Calgary at that time. It is designed for Grades 3 to 6. This was a critical time in Calgary's...

An excerpt from a book on Senator Joseph McCarthy. Includes a description of his life and career and details the impact his actions and ideas had on America in the 1950's.

This website, which is provided for by the University of Pennsylvania, reproduces an article by Richard Hayes from "Commonweal" in 1953. A good opportunity to see a review of "The Crucible" from the time the play originally appeared.

This University of Pennsylvania site offers a review of Ralph Ellison's novel, "Invisible Man."

This site offers a review of Ellison's "Invisible Man" by Irving Howe which was first published in "The Nation" May 10, 1952. Provides a link to more information on Ellison.

This site from the University of Pennsylvania offers a negative review of Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" by Lloyd Brown.

This site describes what went on in Hollywood during the Red Scare of the 1950s when many actors and directors were asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee about possible communist activity in Hollywood.

This site from the University of Pennsylvania offers the text to the prefatory letter to the teacher from the book UNDERSTANDING POETRY AND ANTHOLOGY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.

This personal site offers an article written by Herbert Mitgang. The article was an overview on how the FBI and other agencies harassed and targeted Ginsburg and other authors it deemed "potentially dangerous".