American Literature

Any text written by an American or someone who was living in America when they wrote the work (or later gained fame). Some authors may belong in more than one taxonomy (ie T.S. Eliot, Henry James).

Black Legion

 This political movement of the 1930's was part of the KKK. There were over one million stationed in Michigan! It could be inferred that maybe this was the group who fought against the 7 Days in the race wars. 

timelinedate: 
Wed, 1930-01-01 (All day) - Thu, 1936-12-31 (All day)
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Hagar and Milkman make love

In 1948, when Milkman is 17, Hagar finally invites him into her room and they make love for the first time.

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Hagar and Milkman make love

In 1948, when Milkman is 17, Hagar finally invites him into her room and they make love for the first time.

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The Erie Lackawanna Railroad Operated Its First Scheduled Train

 This was the first run of the train line that was mentioned in Song of Solomon. Macon Dead was upset that Ruth would not ask her dad for the money to but the land that the railroad would later be built on . It would have made the Doctor and Macon rich for the rest of their lives. 

timelinedate: 
Mon, 1851-10-20 (All day)

Murder of Emmett Till

Emmett Louis Till was a fourteen-year-old African American born July 25, 1941 on the south side of Chicago, Ill. He was murdered by Roy Bryant and his half brother, John W. Milam, in Money, Mississippi. on August 28, 1955 for "Wolf Whistling" at Carolyn Bryant, wife of Roy Bryant.

timelinedate: 
Sun, 1955-08-28 (All day)
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The Start of the Seven Days

"It got started in 1920, when that private from Georgia was killed after his balls were cut off and after that veteran was blinded when he came home form France in World War I. And it's been operating ever since. I am one of them now." This is the quote which entails how the Seven Days began, as told by Guitar to Milkman. I consider this a significant event in the fictional world of Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon because of how Guitar's role affects the main character, Milkman. 

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Winnie Ruth

On page 99 of the soft cover edition of S.o.S a murderer is referenced to. Her name was Winnie Ruth (Winnie Ruth McKinnell Judd) She killed two women because all three were interested in the same man. She put the dismembered bodies into shipping trunks.

timelinedate: 
Sun, 1905-01-29 (All day) - Fri, 1998-10-23 (All day)
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1927: Lindbergh Flies

On the very first page of Song of Solomon, it mentions that "Mr. Smith didn't draw as big a crowd as Lindbergh had four years earlier..." Mr. Smith was trying to jump off Mercy Hospital and fly, according to his note which said he plans to "fly away on [his] own wings". Lindbergh was the first man to ever fly straight across the Atlantic Ocean alone. The flight took 33.5 hours and he travelled 3500 miles from the US to Paris. This was a huge event but unfortunately, Mr. Smith's own attempt to fly in 1931 was not successful.

timelinedate: 
Fri, 1927-05-20 07

Origin of the Myth of the Flying Africans

This is the myth that was brought up in the last day of discussion. This particular myth has its origins in a group of Igbo slaves that had been brought to the United States in 1803. Having reached shore after the passage from Africa, this group of slaves fled into the swamps, most of them drowning in the nearby creek. The location of the boats landing is now tied to the myth, interesting read. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2895

The Birmingham Bombing

On Sunday, September 15, 1963, four little girls were killed in Birmingham, Alabama at the 16th Street Baptist Church.  Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Diane Wesley, Carole Rosamond Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins' lives were cut short because of dynamite that people had placed in the church.  The event was a major incident in trying to reduce racism throughout the United States, but especially in the southern states.  The event, that occurred over 40 years ago is still remembered to this day.  Spike Lee created a documentary of this horrible day, and multiple songs and po Read more »

timelinedate: 
Sun, 1963-09-15 11

Buick Electra 225

In 1959, the Buick Electra 225 was released by GM and was marketed as one of Buick's flagship automobiles. The car was named 225 because it was 225 inches in length. This is how it received it's nickname "deuce and a quarter", which was referenced in Song of Solomon when Milkman was staying at Reverend's house. In the book, Milkman's father was said to own a 225, although a particular year was not specified.

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Milkman goes to Danville, VA

 Song of Solomon is set in the 60's, in a time when segregation and racism were at their high points. During these years, many atrocities happened, which enable us to place the time. I used these events to find the time that Milkman began his search for gold and his family. 

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4 little girls killed in bombing on 16th street church

This website talk about The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and the history of it. And basically talking about the bombing in depth

timelinedate: 
Mon, 1963-09-16 10
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Death of Emmett Till

Emmett Till, a 14 year old boy at the time, was lynched in Mississippi. His painful death was later revealed through the open casket funeral.

Source: http://www.essortment.com/all/emmetttill_rbsa.htm

timelinedate: 
Mon, 1955-08-29 (All day)
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Falling is Painful

As stated in the "Song of Solomon", pg. 3, lns. 5-8, Read more »

timelinedate: 
Mon, 1931-02-16 03 - Wed, 1931-02-18 03
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