Henry Johnson--Hero of Harlem's Rattlers: The Man and the Legend

It is no accident that the new book, Harlem's Rattlers and the Great War by Jeffrey T. Sammons and John H. Morrow, Jr., virtually begins and ends with its most famous combat hero Henry Johnson--a man most closely identified with Albany, New York. Virtually sightless within the unimaginable darkness and dense fog of early morning in the Champagne-Marne region of France, Johnson and his comrade Neadom Roberts repulsed a German raiding party of perhaps 20 or more men in what has become known as The Battle of Henry Johnson, when two ordinary men became war heroes and race symbols. Ironically, that which made the men eventually helped to destroy them. Henry has long symbolized the triumphs and tragedies of the 369th. When Toni Morrison fictionalized the plight of the veterans of the unit in Jazz, she obviously had Johnson in mind. Her veterans embody a bleak and dreary postwar existence in which memories haunted more than they sustained. Johnsons postwar life reveals as much, if not more, about his significance than his brief but glorious moment as a hero. Unfortunately, Henry Johnson the man and his life story remain largely unknown, neglected, and distorted. Moreover, most people care not so much for Johnson but for how his achievements and reputation might benefit them. Sammons and Morrow believe that their book sheds new and revealing light on the Henry Johnson and his cautionary tale. Join us for this presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Sammons. Signed copies of the Harlems Rattlers and the Great War: The Undaunted 369th Regiment and the African American Quest for Equality will be available after Dr. Sammons' presentation. This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Library.

Location: Huxley Theatre, 1st floor Cultural Education Center

State Capital Universe and LoisLaw Online

Senior Librarian Stephanie Barrett will demonstrate search strategies and techniques for using State Capital Universe and Loislaw - two online databases available at the New York State Library. State Capital Universe contains information on bills, regulations and statutes for New York and other States. This online resource also has information about state legislators, issues and public policy, state newspapers of record and links to websites with related information. Loislaw is an online source for Federal and state case law, statutes and acts, administrative rules and regulations, court rules and more. Space is limited and registration is required.

Location: 7th floor Computer Classroom, New York State Library

Preservation Open House

Join us to learn how to keep your family treasures safe and ensure they will be around for future generations. Bring examples of your family collections and our book and paper conservators will offer personalized advice on storing, handling, and caring for them.

Sponsored by the University at Albany, University Libraries Preservation Department, the New York State Archives and the New York State Library.

Location: 11th floor Cultural Education Center