Memorial Day across RVA carries layers of meaning tied to military sacrifice, Civil War history, Black freedom struggles, and evolving…
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The Cultural Current
The Pulse of RVA.
Then and Now The Current — May 14, 1607: Jamestown Is Established in Virginia
The establishment of Jamestown on May 14, 1607 launched the first permanent English settlement in North America and transformed the…
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Richmond’s Dystany Spurlock Reached NASCAR’s National Stage — Even as the Climb Continues
Richmond native Dystany Spurlock reached NASCAR’s national stage at Watkins Glen, marking another milestone in a racing career shaped by…
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Then and Now The Current — May 8, 1861: Richmond Named Capital of the Confederacy
On May 8, 1861, Richmond became the capital of the Confederacy, placing Virginia at the center of the Civil War.
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Then and Now The Current — May 6, 1931: Willie Mays Is Born
Born on May 6, 1931, Willie Mays became one of the greatest athletes in American history and a towering symbol…
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When Culture Becomes a Product: Cinco de Mayo in America
Cinco de Mayo began as a commemoration of Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla before evolving into a symbol…
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Then and Now The Current — May 3, 1933: James Brown Is Born
Born May 3, 1933, James Brown revolutionized music, pioneered funk, and helped define Black identity during the Civil Rights era.
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Then and Now The Current — May 1, 1939: Birth of Max Robinson
Born in Richmond on May 1, 1939, Max Robinson broke barriers to become the first Black anchor of a network…
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Then and Now The Current — April 30, 1861: Virginia Adopts Its State Flag in Richmond
On April 30, 1861, Virginia’s secession convention in Richmond adopted the design that became the state flag.
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Then and Now The Current — April 29, 1899: Duke Ellington Is Born
Born on this day in 1899, Duke Ellington transformed jazz into an enduring American art form rooted in Black cultural…
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