Book Backdrop for Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue – Object #3

Independence Day, 1964

<p>In this black and white political cartoon from 1964, a boy, his mother, father and sister stand with their backs to the viewer, holding hands and looking up into the sky to see fireworks labeled “Civil Rights Bill”</p>

An African American family watches fireworks representing the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in public places like public libraries

Questions:

Describe the people, objects and activities you see in this photograph.

How can you tell this political cartoon was drawn in the past? Give evidence from the photo to support your answer.

The Civil Rights Act in 1964 ensured that public libraries were not segregated by race. Why do you think the artist chose to draw this cartoon to illustrate it? Why did he give the cartoon the title “Independence Day — 1964”?

Citations

Mauldin, Bill. “Independence Day — 1964.” Published in the Chicago Sun-Times, July 5, 1964. Papers of Bill Mauldin Cartoon Drawings, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.