The establishment of Jamestown on May 14, 1607 launched the first permanent English settlement in North America and transformed the…
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The Cultural Current
The Pulse of RVA.
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.
Read MoreThen and Now The Current — April 25, 1917: Ella Fitzgerald Is Born
Born in Newport News on April 25, 1917, Ella Fitzgerald rose to become one of the most influential voices in…
Read MoreThen and Now The Current — April 24, 1867: Richmond Streetcar Protest
On April 24, 1867, Black Richmonders challenged segregated streetcars, marking an early chapter in the long struggle for equal access…
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Then and Now The Current — April 22, 1737: William Byrd II Announces the Founding of Richmond
On April 22, 1737, William Byrd II advertised a new town called Richmond, marking the city’s public beginning.
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Then & Now: The Current — April 20, 1871: The Ku Klux Klan Act and the Limits of Federal Protection
The April 20, 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act promised protection for Black Virginians, but its uneven enforcement reveals the limits…
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Then & Now: The Current — April 19, 1967: Kwame Ture Speaks Against the Vietnam War
On April 19, 1967, Kwame Ture, then known as Stokely Carmichael, delivered forceful antiwar speeches linking Vietnam to racial injustice,…
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A Century of Impact: Honoring Dr. William “Fergie” Reid’s Enduring Influence
Dr. William “Fergie” Reid’s 101st birthday marks more than a personal milestone — it offers a moment to reflect on…
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