“Equality Before the Law”: Thoughts on the Origin of Nebraska’s State Motto
“Equality Before the Law,” Nebraska’s state motto, is unique among the fifty states. Only Wyoming’s motto, “Equal Rights,” expresses a similar idea. Both mottos date ...
Black History
What We Found
Was J. Sterling Morton a racist? Here’s what the Arbor Day founder said and did.
By David L. Bristow, Editor, Nebraska History
(Originally posted March 29, 2019)
On one level this is an easy question. Yes. Blatantly. In a loud and ...
Did Claude Nethaway murder his wife and frame an innocent man?
By David L. Bristow, Editor
Content Warning: This post quotes offensive, racist language and includes a detailed depiction of a murder scene.
His business card ...
A Review of Black History Month
During the month of February, History Nebraska highlighted articles and blog posts that pertained to Black History Month and the state of Nebraska. Some of them were ...
Klondike Gold Rush
By Matt Piersol, Researcher, History Nebraska - Collections
The Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-99 was truly a 'Children's Crusade'. Thousands of ill-prepared ...
Fort Robinson Photograph: “White as Any White Person”
A late-1800s photograph provides insight about the perceptions of race at that time.
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A Nebraskan responds to the abolition of slavery
An 1866 letter shows us something that’s often forgotten when people talk about civil rights history. D.H. Kelsey of Plattsmouth was living in Washington, DC, when ...
Malcolm X in Omaha, 1964
By David L. Bristow, Editor
The Omaha World-Herald reporter seemed surprised that Malcolm X smiled so much. The famous activist was not “the surly, ...
Racial Politics at UNO
By Breanna Fanta, Editorial Assistant
African American students fought to seize their “educational destiny” in the 1960s, but history has been slow to acknowledge ...
How Eliza Grayson escaped Nebraska slavery
By David L. Bristow, Editor
Eliza Grayson was one of the very first enslaved people brought to Nebraska when the territory opened to white settlers in 1854. ...
Nebraska Statehood Launched in Troubled Times
On March 1, 1867, President Andrew Johnson reluctantly signed the proclamation declaring Nebraska’s statehood. The signing ended the life of a territory which ...
Lest We Forget: The Lynching of Will Brown, Omaha’s 1919 Race Riot
A riot-crazed mob stormed the burning Douglas County Courthouse on September 28, 1919, and lynched an African American, Will Brown. The victim, accused of raping a white ...
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