Victory Monument | Chicago, IL
Located in Chicago’s Black Metropolis-Bronzeville Historic District, the Victory Monument was built to honor the Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, an African-American unit that served in France during World War I. The monument features 4 bronze panels and a sculpture of a soldier atop that was added in 1936. Dedicated on Armistice Day (November 11th) in 1928, an annual Memorial Day ceremony is held at the monument.
Gallery (click image to enlarge)
Victory Monument
Address: 35th Street and King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: N/A
Official Website: N/A
Map & Driving Directions
Love at First Site: Bronzeville Online
Bronzeville Online is one of the most comprehensive sites dedicated to the historic Bronzeville community (the “Black Metropolis”), the birthplace of Chicago’s version of the Harlem Renaissance and home to many famous African-Americans, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Coleman, Ida B Wells, Andrew Foster, and many more.
Monument to the Great Northern Migration | Chicago, IL
Located just past the entrance of the “Gateway to Bronzeville, on the circular median on King Drive and 26th Place, ” the fifteen foot tall statue named “The Monument to the Great Northern Migration” represents the 6,000,000 African American men, women and children that migrated to the south side of Chicago in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. The figure, carrying a briefcase in one hand and waving into the distance with the other, is covered with patches depicting the worn shoe soles of African Americans that migrated from southern states in search of a “Promised Land” of Chicago.
The Monument to the Great Northern Migration
26th Street King Drive
Chicago, IL 60616
Official Website: N/A
Map and Driving Directions
Photo: Samuel Barnett, © All Rights Reserved
Bud Billiken Parade | Chicago, IL
Billed as the oldest and largest African American parade in the U.S.,
Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade has been held on every second Saturday
since 1929. Attracting thousands of spectators along its route, the
parade marks for many the unofficial beginning of the end of summer.
It features politicians, beauty queens, celebrities, musical
performers, and dozens of high-school drill teams, floats, and
marching bands. High-profile celebrities and dignitaries have attended
the parade over the years, including Presidents Truman and Kennedy,
Michael Jordan, Joe Louis, Ali, Duke Ellington, Oprah, Lena Horne,
Ethel Waters, Cab Calloway, Paul Robeson and Billie Holiday.
Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama, served as grand marshal
in 2007. Visit the Bud Billiken Parade Official Website for additional information.
Other interesting facts:
- The parade is named after the Billiken, a Chinese mythical character
who is the guardian angel of little children. - Its not only the largest African-American parade in the country, Bud
Billiken is the largest parade in Chicago and the nation’s second
largest parade after the Rose Bowl Parade.
Chicago Blues, As Seen From the Inside
May 28, 2008 by lindsey
Filed under Recommended Reads
A stunning collection of photographs from Chicago’s foremost blues photographer When Raeburn Flerlage was asked to take a picture of Memphis Slim in 1959, he began a career that would produce some of the most fascinating and important photos ever taken of blues musicians. By shooting concert performances, studio sessions, interviews, and club shows, he became a fixture of the Chicago blues scene during the 1960s and early 70s, and captured some of America’s greatest blues artists at the pinnacle of their careers.
REVIEW:
Chicago Blues As Seen From the Inside,
