Italian Americans at Bat

The Museo Italo-Americano in San Francisco currently has an exhibit called "Italian Americans at Bat: From Sandlots to the Major Leagues." UNP author Lawrence Baldassaro was there last week with his book, Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball. Baldassaro is a professor emeritus of Italian at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Beyond DiMaggio will be published in paperback this spring. Continue reading Italian Americans at Bat

Woody Guthrie turns 100 tomorrow

An early happy birthday to Woody Guthrie! All year long, events popped up across the nation to celebrate his legacy as a songwriter. Click here to visit the Woody Guthrie centennial blog. Be sure to look for forthcoming book Hard Hitting Songs for Hard-Hit People, compilation of American folk songs from the Depression and New Deal eras with explanatory notes by iconic singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie. Continue reading Woody Guthrie turns 100 tomorrow

John C. Frémont Days

John C. Frémont (1813–90) was a military officer who served in the Mexican-American War, took part in the Bear Flag Rebellion, and fought in the Civil War. He was also one of the first two senators from California and the first presidential candidate for the Republican Party in 1856. Forthcoming from UNP is Frémont's First Impressions with an introduction by Anne F. Hyde. Frémont's First Impressions is an exciting account of his first two expeditions, which explored and opened the unsettled American West. And this weekend is the 26th Annual John C. Frémont Days in Fremont, Neb. Click here to … Continue reading John C. Frémont Days

150th Anniversary of the Dakota War

Edited by Carrie Reber Zeman and Kathryn Zabelle Derounian-Stodola, A Thrilling Narrative of Indian Captivity rescues from obscurity a crucially important work about the bitterly contested U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. And to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Dakota War, a new exhibit is opening at the Minnesota History Center featuring documents, images and artifacts relating to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Click here for more information. Continue reading 150th Anniversary of the Dakota War

Omaha’s first “cash mob”

Cash mob's have been popping up all over the country and yesterday was Omaha's first at The Bookworm on Pacific Street in Omaha. The Omaha World-Herlald reported that more than 200 cash mobs have been held around the country over the past year. Cash mobs are similar to flash mobs, but they encourage people to support local businesses by pledging to spend $20 on a chosen day. Learn more about cash mobs here. Continue reading Omaha’s first “cash mob”