Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 1,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We’re sharing this week’s photograph in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which will be celebrated next Monday. By 1986, seventeen states had official King holidays. However, January 20th of that year – the date of the KU march shown in the picture below – marked the first nationally-observed holiday commemorating Dr. King’s birthday.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march, 1986. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 71/18 1986 Prints: Student Activities: Student Protests (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

For more information about the history of the holiday’s creation, see the article in the online King Encyclopedia, provided by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University (1). Don Wolfensberger’s essay “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: The Long Struggle in Congress,” presented for a 2008 seminar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, provides more a detailed history.

(1) The original version of this article linked to the King Center‘s chronology of the “Making of the King Holiday.” That URL is no longer accurate and, as of this update in February 2022, the page could not be found.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Brian Nomura
Public Services Student Assistant

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 1,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

This year’s Big 12 home opener will be played on Saturday against Texas Tech, so today we’re highlighting the first time the Jayhawks faced the Red Raiders. The game was held at Allen Field House on December 7, 1959; it was a KU victory, with a final score of 85-71.

Rock Chalk!

Selected pages from the Official Souvenir Program for the first-ever game between KU and Texas Tech, 1959.
Note the price of tickets. University Archives. Call Number: RG 66/13/1 Programs. Click images to enlarge.

Two pictures from the game against Texas Tech, 1959. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 66/13 1959-1960 Games Texas Tech Negatives: Athletic Department:
Basketball (Photos). Click images to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Brian Nomura
Public Services Student Assistant

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 1,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

We haven’t yet been able to locate any pictures of New Year’s Eve parties on campus, but we really like this fun and festive picture of a Delta Tau Delta party during the 1930s. From the decorations in the background, we think it might be a Valentine’s or sweethearts dance.

Happy New Year! Please remember that Spencer Research Library will be closed through Sunday, January 4,

Delta Tau Delta party, 1937-1938. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 67/170 1937-1938 Prints: Organizations: Delta Tau Delta (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Brian Nomura
Public Services Student Assistant

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 1,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of our friends, supporters, researchers, and visitors! Please remember that Spencer Research Library will be closed through Sunday, January 4, 2015. We have more exciting resources to share in the new year, and we look forward to discussing them with you!

 Christmas tree in Strong Hall, 1980. University Archives Photos.
Call Number: RG 0/24/1 Christmas 1980 Prints: Campus: Areas and Objects (Photos).
Click image to enlarge (redirect to Spencer’s digital collections).

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Brian Nomura
Public Services Student Assistant

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 1,700 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

For a snowy day on Mount Oread, here’s an 1896 view of KU’s campus similarly covered by a light snowfall.

Looking south, a view (from left to right) of Spooner, old Blake, old Fraser, and
old Snow Halls, 1896. University Archives Photos. Call Number: RG 0/24/P 1896 Prints:
Campus Panoramas (Photos). Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Donnelly
Head of Public Services

Brian Nomura
Public Services Student Assistant