Members of the Arlington community cut a ribbon to open a new exhibit that commemorates two events that changed the course of the nation.
The ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Changing America Exhibit at Tarrant County College Southeast was the first of five days of community events commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Smithsonian Institute. It is presented by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History in collaboration with the American Library Association Public Programs Office.
This exhibit explores the relationship between two great movements for equal rights. The 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and 1964 March on Washington were the culmination of decades of struggles by individuals, both famous and unknown.
The public can view images such as the inkstand used by President Abraham Lincoln to draft the document that later became the Emancipation Proclamation and the pen used to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
"These two events, separated by 100 years, are linked together in a larger story of freedom and the American experience," said Tarrant County President Dr. Bill Coppolo during his opening remarks at Thursday's event. "We are proud to host such an outstanding exhibit."
The Changing America Exhibit is located in the Dr. Judith Carrier Library on the campus of Tarrant County College. It is open now through February 19.
For more information, call 817-515-3081. For more information about Arlington MLK Celebrations, visithttp://www.arlington-tx.gov/mlk.
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