Tag Archives: celebration

A Note on the New Year from 1855

The following editorial was published in the Provincial Freeman newspaper on January 6, 1855. The digitized version of this editorial in the Black Abolitionist Archive allows us to bridge the expanse of 161 years, and merge in time with the author who signs her name simply as “S.” (This is probably Mary Ann Shadd who edited the newspaper during this time.) Although so much historic change has taken place since this editorial was written, it seems today’s readers will recognize how relevant the sentiments are here....

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Black Abolitionist Archive , , , , , , , Updated: January 4, 2016

“The Merry Christmas Time”

Christmas celebrations in the late 1800s weren’t anything like they are today. The focus was on church activities, caroling, and the warm gathering of family and friends. Gifts were secondary to the celebration of this holy season, and giving was more about caring than buying expensive presents. For those whose very existence depended on the kindness of strangers, support from charity and provisions for the poor were appreciated more than ever to help them through the harsh winters and desperate times....

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Black Abolitionist Archive , , , , , , , , , Updated: December 23, 2015

Thanksgiving Day

In 1863, the debate about establishing a national day of Thanksgiving was well underway. On September 28th of that year, Sarah Hale, American writer and editor, wrote an impassioned letter to Abraham Lincoln encouraging him to set aside an official day to recognize the spirit of thankfulness that defined the country overall. This, she argued, would be of benefit to the entire population especially during this time of civil war....

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Black Abolitionist Archive , , , , , , , Updated: November 23, 2015

Light Up the Land

The history of the University of Detroit Mercy begins with the establishment of Detroit College by the Jesuits in 1877. The legacy of the university stretches the expanse of years since then from its humble beginnings on Jefferson Avenue in downtown Detroit to the location of the current main campus now on Livernois. The college became the University of Detroit in 1927, and merged with Mercy College in 1990, to become the University of Detroit Mercy. That’s the basic historical timeline that takes us from UDM’s origins to 2015 when it was ranked, “… in the top tier of Midwestern regional universities” according to the Education edition of the U. S. News and World Report. These days, this quality ranking and the history of the university is easily available through a quick search of the web....

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Light Up the Land , , , , , Updated: October 16, 2015

Commencement Collection

Graduation is arguably the best time in any student’s educational experience. It’s not so much a “finish” line as it is a “starting point”; not so much a door that’s closing but one that’s standing wide open. The beginning of any student’s college career may be exciting and challenging, but that moment when the hard won diploma is handed to him or her has got to be the most meaningful. Even sitting in that mass of gowned graduates waiting for a turn to walk across that stage is worth the necessary patience expressed on that amazing day....

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Commencement Collection , , , , , , Updated: May 20, 2015

Commencement

One of the highlights of any student’s experience at graduation is the celebration that marks the completion of all their hard work. The pomp and circumstance of the event marks a formal recognition of accomplishment, and an end to all the worry, effort, and lost sleep they went through in order to realize this one goal. When the moment arrives to walk across the stage to receive that valued diploma, it’s as if they are walking across the finish line of a marathon they began in Grade School. It’s done, completed, over, and Commencement testifies to that....

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Commencement Collection , , , , , Updated: May 7, 2015

1914

One hundred years ago in December, 1914, the University of Detroit celebrated the upcoming holidays with a special “Xmas Number” edition of the Tamarack. The look of this issue is slightly different, but the material included is just as creative and interesting as all the others. Reading through some of the stories and poetry included in each Tamarack publication allows the reader to time travel a bit, but the December, 1914 issue offers a glimpse into Detroit’s place in a unique period in U.S. history....

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Tamarack Archive , , , Updated: November 20, 2014

The Merry Christmas Time

There are only three small entries in the Black Abolitionist Archive associated with Christmas, so I chose this one. While this holiday was important to an enslaved people learning about the celebration of this Christmas story from the periphery of the Christian families who enslaved them, the way they celebrated this holiday was different. The celebration of any special occasion then was on Church, prayer, thankfulness, and finding joy where they could....

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Black Abolitionist Archive , , , , , , , , , Updated: December 11, 2014

Outer Echoes Still Heard

In 1940, the Sisters of Mercy established a presence in Detroit at Southfield and West Outer Drive. About a year later, Mercy College of Detroit began offering classes on this spot that would leave an indelible mark in this city’s history. Over the years until its consolidation with the University of Detroit in 1990, Mercy College expanded from offering nursing and teaching classes to women into a comprehensive coeducational liberal arts college....

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Mercy College , , , , , , , , , Updated: September 18, 2014
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