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Calling All World War II Military Personnel

by cecile

On Wednesday, May 27th a very special event is planned for all World War II military personnel at the Yankee Air Museum at the Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Mi. Map

All Michigan's "Greatest Generation" World War II veterans are invited for a historic group photo on the tarmac of the Yankee Air Museum with the B-17 bomber 'Yankee Lady" as the backdrop.

You are asked to bring a 5x7 photo of yourself from your time in the military. Casual dress is fine, as is full military attire or wearing your military unit's cap.

The event begins at 1:30 p.m. with a reception and the photograph will be taken at 2 p.m.
All participating veterans will receive a copy of this historic group photo.

Kudos to Keith Famie, philanthrophist, chef extraordinaire, and participant in Survivor II: The Australian Outback as the man behind the organization of this historic event. To learn more about the documentary film Keith is making about Detroit's WWII veterans go to:
Detroit's Greatest Generation

For veterans that can't drive or get a ride: a first come, first serve transportation option is offered with four different pick-up locations kindly donated by the Royal Transportation Bus Line. Call 248-869-0096 to RSVP.

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Famed Nefertiti Bust a Fake!!

by cecile

Agence France-Presse is reporting that the famed bust of Queen Nefertiti housed in Berlin’s Altes Museum and believed to be 3,400 years old in fact is a copy dating from 1912 that was made to test pigments used by the ancient Egyptians, according to Swiss art historian Henri Stierlin.

What a story!! Stierlin, a renowned historian and author of a dozen books on Egypt, the Middle East and ancient Islam, and apparently not a crackpot, says the world famous bust was made at the order of German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt by an artist named Gerardt Marks. Then on December 6, 1912, the copy was admired as an original work by a German prince and the archaeologist "couldn't sum up the courage to ridicule" his guest, Stierlin said.

"It seems increasingly improbable that the bust is an original," Stierlin told AFP.

Egypt has demanded the return of the bust since it was supposedly discovered on the banks of the Nile and went on display in 1923 in Germany.

Read Loot by Sharon Waxman to learn more about the fascinating topic of world famous museums and stolen artifacts.

Think it will be returned now?

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Celebrate "Cinco de Mayo"

by Maxine

Today, May 5 is also known as Cinco de Mayo, the holiday commemorating the victory of the Mexican army over the French in the town of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862. The day is celebrated mainly in the town of Puebla and in many places in the U.S., especially cities with significant Latino populations. People participate in parades, eat indigenous foods and dress in traditional Mexican clothes. The day is often confused with Mexico's day of independence which is September 16.

To celebrate in Ann Arbor, head to the Firefly Club where a dj will spin Salsa music and you can indulge at the taco bar. Festivities begin at 9 p.m. Or check out books and cds from our collection and whip up your own Mexican specialties to the tune of your favorite Latin music.

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Loot

by cecile

Love museums and antiquities? Ever wonder how the British Museum ended up with the best stuff from every country colonized in the name of the Queen? The Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Vatican and the J. Paul Getty Museum were in on the game too.

Loot by Sharon Waxman is a fascinating, well-written account of how Egypt, Greece, Italy, Turkey and others have been plundered of their masterworks by treasure hunters, museums and nobility bent on creating personal collections. She aptly describes the history of this high-stakes conflict that includes lawsuits, grave robbers, international thievery and personal and professional ruin.

Many pieces have been returned over the years but not without a fight. The major museums of the world insist that world cultural heritage will be damaged if the art is returned to their country of origin because fewer people will go to smaller museums in the host countries.

Greece has been after the U.K. for a long time to return the Elgin Marbles, a collection including sculptures from the Parthenon and objects from other buildings on the Acropolis: the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The New Acropolis Museum is set to open in June and a huge gallery has been built to house the Elgin Marbles. But the U.K. hasn’t said anything about returning them yet. Stay tuned...

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The world at your fingertips

by Maxine

Yesterday, April 21, the World Digital Library was officially launched. A joint project of the Library of Congress and UNESCO, the project is a massive effort to provide many primary source documents like historical maps, photographs, music, etc. from many regions of the world. Looking for a sketch of one of the captives on the slave ship, the Amistad? You'll find it here. Do you need an ancient map of Sweden? A fascinating, well documented journey, the World Digital Library is an invaluable resource both for the student and the constantly curious.

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“Growing Up” Sibert Medal Award Winners

by manz

The Sibert Medal is awarded anually to authors and illustrators of the most distinguished informational book of the year. The award has been given out since 2001 to some of the loveliest non-fiction titles for youth and teens! Many are chock full of pictures, illustrations and words, designed to create higher interest in informational topics. Here are a few stellar examples of past recipients:

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain: Peter Sis’ story is told in pictures, drawings, and memories of growing up in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, and battling everything from Communism to the banning of rock music. This beautiful and charming book is a lighter way to read about and/or introduce a heavy topic.

Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow, by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, chronicles the story of the generation of youth (over 7 million boys and girls) growing up devoted to Hitler and the Nazi movement. It also includes voices of youth who were opposed to the movement, as well as those of targeted Jewish youths. Quite a deep and interesting look at the youth that was so effected during Hitler's Germany.

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Sidney Fine, who taught history at UM for 53 years, has died

by amy

Beloved historian Sidney Fine, who taught at the University of Michigan for 53 years, died Tuesday at the age of 88. Professor Fine is thought to have held the longest active teaching career in UM history, teaching over 26,000 over the course of his career before he retired in 2001. Read more about Mr. Fine on wikipedia and his obituary in the Detroit Free Press.

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Happy Birthday, Mrs. Betty Ford!

by annevm

Next month former First Lady Betty Ford will turn 91, and to help us all anticipate that, her former assistant press secretary will appear at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library at the University of Michigan. Patti Matson will talk about “Betty Ford: Strength in a Package Marked Fragile” on March 31 (Tuesday), at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Ford is the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction and a Congressional Gold Medal recipient. You can see wonderful images of her life in our AP Images database.

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Essays About Lincoln - Statewide Writing Contest

by Bertha

A statewide essay contest, sponsored by the Library of Michigan, celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, is now accepting entries until April 4th.

Themes are broken down into two grade categories and full details are available at http://www.milincoln.org.

Inspiration may come from reviewing his life; try Abraham Lincoln or reading about his leadership in Abraham Lincoln's Extraordinary Era

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Celebrate Women's History Month

by Maxine

March is Women's History Month. In honor of the tremendous achievements of women worldwide, Gale Publishing Group which offers numerous databases and other resources to libraries, has put together some great free resources. Based on the theme, "Get to Know the Women Who've Changed Our World," you can access activities, quizzes, biographies, a timeline and more at their special website. A great resource for teachers, activities by topic include history, geography music, science and literature. You can also download bookmarks, a calendar and screensaver. Biographies of famous women up to and including Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama are available.

You can also check out the Library's rich collection of books and dvds on women's history including a new book, Ad Women by Juliann Sivulka on the history of women in advertising and how they influence consumer habits.