Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

The Government Publications Department here at McWherter Library is proud to call attention to Veterans Day every year in order to honor all of those who have served in the branches of the United States military, including the brave soldiers that have given the ultimate sacrifice. This year, I wanted to bring attention to the journals and magazines published by these various branches that are on offer in our section. These publications offer both perspective on the role of the military in the history of this nation, as well its evolution in present day and as we move into the future. Here are a few examples of the newer journals that we receive on a regular basis.

Army History and Marine Corps History

As a former history major, I am interested in all manners of study into our nation’s past and development over the past two and half centuries. This includes examinations of how the U.S. military has shaped the story of our country. Army History, published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History, provides a wide variety of articles examining the history of the U.S. armed forces. Covering battles and advances in military history on a variety of conflicts, including the American Civil War and the myriad wars of the 20^th century, this journal does an excellent job of providing the reader with in-depth historical analysis, beautiful photographs, and detailed maps of past battles involving the United States Army. Another great feature are book reviews of new studies pertinent to the U.S. military, covering subjects from the nation’s founding all the way up to modern day.

A nice companion to Army History comes from another branch of the U.S. military in Marine Corps History. Published by the History Division of the Marine Corps University, this peer-reviewed journal offers a wide array of articles on the history of the United States Marine Corps. These offerings not only cover the combat aspect of the Marines, but also provide intimate portraits of individuals that have played a vital role in the evolution of this branch. Beyond these primary articles, the journal also contains review essays and shorter book reviews. But perhaps my favorite aspect of this journal are the covers. Each issue features a wonderful piece of artwork displaying the bravery of American Marines as they fulfill their duties.

Military Review

If you are looking for an examination of the modern role of the U.S. military and its potential future, look no further than Military Review, which describes itself as “the professional journal of the U.S. Army.” Like the other two journals, it shows in its bimonthly issues that the U.S. military is much more than just combat and warfare. Examples of articles that appear in this expertly produced journal include deep dives into the role of the U.S. military both today and moving forward in a more advanced and interconnected world; for example, a particularly interesting examination looks in to the ever-developing role of the Army into cyberwarfare, something that has only become an increasing threat in recent history. This displays the efforts of the American armed forces to stay on the cutting edge of emerging technological advancements. It also provides studies into the rapidly changing geopolitical climate that the U.S. military must navigate in the 21^st century.

These are but a few of the journals offered by the Government Publications Department. I would encourage anyone interested in military subjects, both historical and ongoing, to visit the current journals shelf by the Government Reading Room near the front of our section. Also, there are a number of periodicals from years past in the collection that are worth a look as well. We are always available to give interested patrons more information on these valuable resources. Finally, if you are in the library, drop by the wonderful Veterans Day display curated by Betsy Eckert, which features a variety of items that are on offer from the Government Publications Department. You can also access a number of related government and historical resources at our newly updated Honoring Veterans Libguide on the library’s website.

I echo the sentiments of so many Americans in thanking those that have served in our nation’s armed forces throughout the years, both in peacetime and in war. It is a day to honor all of their sacrifices and to remember their service to this country.

Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications Department

Every March, numerous private and governmental health organizations from around the country promote what is known as National Nutrition Month. Individuals and businesses have become increasingly aware of what foods and drinks we put in our bodies. The past decade has seen the increased popularization of things such as organically raised meats, vegetables, and fruits (many grown locally in our own communities), along with stores and farmers markets where these items are widely accessible. Thankfully, a variety of online government resources on both the state and federal levels provide information and even recipes that reflect the want and need of Americans to educate themselves about their own health and nutrition.

So, the next time you are looking for nutrition information or a new healthy recipe, for you or your loved ones, for any meal of the day (including snack time!), feel free to peruse these online recipes and other informational resources provided by the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government.

• Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – 50 Healthy Recipes: The My Health, My Choice, My Life Recipe Guide
• Working for a Healthier Tennessee – Recipes
• Tennessee Department of Human Services – Recipes for Healthy Kids: Cookbooks for Homes
• Tennessee Department of Health – Healthy Places, Food and Nutrition
• U.S. Department of Agriculture – MyPlate
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Food
• USDA’s Nutrition.gov – Recipes
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Aim for a Healthy Weight
• Medline Plus – Healthy Recipes
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Healthy Recipes

Also, the Government Publications Department here at McWherter Library provides these fun online cookbooks to students and staff to peruse for new meal ideas!

• USDA Recipes for Child Care
• Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals
• One Pot Meals Cookbook: Nutrition and Food Services Healthy Teaching Kitchen
• Heart Healthy Cooking, African American Style
• Platillos Latinos, sabrosos y saludables = Delicious heart-healthy Latino recipes
• Deliciously Healthy Family Meals
• Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

The expansion of voting rights has a long and tumultuous history in the United States, and while the journey is not over (and may never be), a number of crucial events have made voting a more inclusive right that many people cherish as one of the most important responsibilities held by American citizens. The original text of the U.S. Constitution largely left decisions concerning voting rights up to the individual states; thus, the right to vote was held almost exclusively by white male property holders in the early days of our nation. However, several Constitutional Amendments have expanded the electorate since the American Civil War. In the years immediately following the war, the Fourteenth Amendment extended the vote to all males above the age of 21 and further defined citizenship rights, and the Fifteenth Amendment seemingly outlawed the denial of voting rights based on race and “conditions of previous servitude,” laying out protections for former male slaves. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment extended the vote to women, a long overdue protection finally given after a decades long struggle.

The 1960s witnessed a new era in the protection of voting rights, particularly for minorities in certain parts of the country. States in the American South, following Reconstruction in the late 19^th century, long practiced efforts to disenfranchise African American voters through things such as a poll tax and literacy tests. In 1964, the Twenty-fourth Amendment outlawed the use of poll taxes, and the following year, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 laid out protections for minority voters, working to realize the promises made by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. The Voting Rights Act has been amended several times over the past half century, extending protections to other minorities in the United States, including language minorities and voters with disabilities. Another important step to bring more people into the political conversation took place in 1971 with the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18 nationwide.

There are many other important moments and pieces of legislation that serve to protect voting rights in the United States, and I would encourage further research if you are interested in both the high and low points of this part of the nation’s history. The protection of voting rights in the United States continues to be a pertinent topic in our society, and will likely remain so well into the future. There are a number of questions that arise during every election cycle. Are there enough polling places to accommodate the population, particularly in urban areas? What exactly is the future of early voting and mail-in voting, both exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic? What about the disenfranchisement of felons in many states, either while incarcerated or after release? Should a person have to show identification to vote? One would hope that voting, one of the most sacred rights held by American citizens, one that countless people have fought for during the history of this country, will continue to become easier, with more and more people encouraged to use this opportunity to have their voices heard.

And this brings a reminder: please vote! It is such a privilege to be able to do so. It is important to keep up with what is happening on any given ballot. Many people only consider a Presidential election important. But there are so many elections that happen in conjunction with and in between it. Even in a year such as this one, there are other relevant things on the ballot one should be knowledgeable about. For example, as a Mississippian, I get the chance to vote on the following on November 3: President of the United States; members of the U.S. Congress; state Supreme Court justices; a new design for our state flag; and the possible legalization of medical marijuana. So, remember, being a voter is important, but being an informed voter is vital.

If you are interested in more information on voting rights, here are some links to online government resources that you can check out!

• Department of Justice – History of Voting Rights Laws
• USA.gov – Voting and Election Laws
• Library of Congress – Voting Rights for Women
• U.S. House of Representatives – Electoral College Fast Facts
• U.S. House of Representatives – Constitutional Amendments and Major Civil Rights Acts of Congress (great info on Amendments and Acts that protect the voting rights of minorities)
• USA.gov – Presidential Election Process
• The White House – Information about every President
• National Archives – The Constitution: Amendments 11-27
• National Archives – Congress and the Voting Rights Act of 1965