Monthly programming can get repetitive, especially since patrons have certain expectations for certain holidays and commemorations. Spice up your February with a few events you might otherwise overlook.
February 1, 2003 - The Space Shuttle Columbia exploded on descent, marking the second loss of a space shuttle in flight. While tragic, space flight fanatics will be thrilled to see the breakdown of the disaster with rare flight recordings and archival footage in Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight. This is a series that will appeal to history and science lovers equally.
Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight (TV Series, 2024) – Streaming on Amazon, HBO, and Hulu
February 2, 1848 - Often relegated to the bin of forgotten history, the Mexican-American War resulted in one of the most important transfers of territory in US and Mexican history. With the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the US expanded its holdings to include part or all of what is today California, Texas, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Help your patrons learn more about this war and land transfer with a quality classic PBS documentary, The U.S.-Mexican War.
The U.S.-Mexican War (TV Series, 1998) – Available on PBS (Episode 4 about this event)
Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812. Most programming includes discussion of his beloved novel, A Christmas Carol, but his birthday is the perfect time to highlight England’s most famous writer’s other works. Consider Charles Dickens: The Man That Asked For More if you’d like to examine Dickens’ life and works.
Charles Dickens: The Man That Asked For More (2006) – Rent from AppleTV, Free Streaming with ads on Fubo, Fandango, PlutoTV, and YouTube, Purchase on DVD
February 9, 1943 - This date marks the capture of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Island by US forces, the first time America took territory from the Japanese during the Pacific theater of WWII. Often consigned to a footnote or sentence in books or documentaries about the broader subject, the battle of Guadalcanal is an intriguing topic for those interested in WWII. The Fight for Guadalcanal WWII helps students of history understand the reasoning behind changes in tactics that would come later in the war.
The Fight for Guadalcanal WWII (2001) - Free streaming from Fawesome and Mubi, Rent from Amazon Prime
February 11, 1990 - At age 71, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being sentenced to life in 1963 on charges of attempting to overthrow the racist apartheid government. Four years later, Mandela would be elected to the presidency following South Africa’s first all-race elections. Mark this historical occasion with the biopic Endgame.
Endgame (2009) on Blu-Ray, streaming on Hulu
February 15, 1933 - This was an occasion I was surprised to learn about myself. While attending an impromptu rally in Miami, Florida, an assassination attempt took place on newly elected president Franklin Roosevelt. The president was unharmed, but Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak was killed. The reasons behind shooter Giuseppe Zangara’s attempt have never been made clear, as he died of a medical condition only a few weeks later. A film loosely based on the event was made and released only months later. British Pathe also has newsreel from just after the assassination attempt if this historical event is of interest to your patrons.
The Man Who Dared (1933) - Streaming on YouTube (Not to be confused with the 1946 Noir of the same name)
February 19, 1942 - President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order requiring over 110,000 Japanese Americans to be indefinitely interned. There are many films and documentaries available that discuss this dark moment in American history. Consider, however, a short documentary about a monument built in one of the now-abandoned internment camps, Pilgrimage. This great documentary highlights the continuing impact of this historic moment.
PILGRIMAGE (2003) - Available on DVD
February 21, 1965 - At age 39, Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X was gunned down in the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Debate about the identities of the shooters and FBI involvement in the murder last to this day. Spotlight the radical edge of the Civil Rights Movement by showing the 1975 documentary Malcolm X. This classic doc still holds up to modern standards, and is a fantastic resource when learning about the life and politics of Malcolm X.
Malcolm X (1975) Streaming on Amazon, AppleTV, and more, on Blu-ray
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