Bossier Parish Libraries History Center

06/17/2026

Any of our History Center friends in the Haughton area, especially those with kids or grandkids they're entertaining this summer, stop by the BPL's Haughton branch tomorrow afternoon, where History Center staff will be visiting with our beautiful set of replica Caddo Indian tools and hunting implements.

🏹 Hear the stories. Explore the history. Discover the early Caddo Indian way of life with Pam Carlisle from our History Center.

06/17/2026

Some of our History Center patrons may be interested in this program at the BPL's Aulds branch in the Shady Grove neighborhood in south Bossier City. Patent medicine bottles in the History Center's collection show just how bizarre (or even harmful!) many of these old treatments were!

Sally Hamer is back with her Bizarre Medical Treatments presentation! Join us at the Aulds Branch on Wednesday, June 24th!

06/17/2026

While Juneteenth National Independence Day stands as one of the newest federal holidays in the United States, the tradition of honoring this historic day of freedom spans generations in Bossier Parish. Before receiving national recognition, residents vibrantly marked the occasion—then frequently called Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, or Freedom Day—with community-wide celebrations. From picnics and competitive baseball games to family gatherings, the history of Bossier Parish reveals a rich, enduring legacy of observing liberation and community resilience.

Click on the provided link to read this week's article: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-history-of-juneteenthemancipation-day.html

06/16/2026

06/10/2026

Did you know that 81 years ago today, the shoreline on the east bank of the Red River in Bossier City turned into a simulated WWII battleground?

On June 10, 1945, thousands of spectators gathered to witness 100 GIs storm the beach from Higgins boats amidst machine-gun fire, smoke screens, and roaring fighter planes—all to support the 7th War Bond drive. The event even featured appearances by a famous Hollywood actor (during that era) and Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis!

Click on the provided link to read the full, incredible story of the "Red River Bond Invasion Show": https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/06/thousands-gathered-to-witness-beach.html

06/09/2026

R&R with History: Valiant Ambition week 2 and we

06/03/2026

Part two of Sergeant Ben Kuroki: a true "All-American" hero who fought two wars simultaneously: one against the Axis powers and another against prejudice at home. As a Nisei gunner in the US Army Air Corps, Kuroki overcame strict prohibitions to become the only Japanese American to fly air combat missions in the Pacific Theater. From the dangerous low-altitude raids over Romanian oil refineries to the bombing of Tokyo, he completed an incredible 58 combat missions and earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Click on the provided link to read the continuation of Sgt. Kuroki’s remarkable journey: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/06/ben-kuroki-all-american-war-hero-part-ii.html

05/28/2026

Thank you KTBS 3 for covering our May meeting of our World War II's Day discussion series. May is Jewish American Heritage Month and we were so pleased to have Rabbi Jana De Benedetti of Shreveport's B'nai Zion Congregation speak about the Holocaust Torah scroll that's been a part of B'nai Zion since after the end of WWII. That's when B'nai Zion's Rabbi David Lefkowitz Jr. was gifted the scroll, which had been hidden from N***s in the Bavarian village of Bad Neustadt, Germany, to take to his congregation in north Louisiana after he served as a chaplain in Bavaria for the US Army Air Corps. We were honored to also be joined, via Zoom, by Dr. Helen L. Horowitz, Sydenham Clark Parsons Professor Emerita of History and Professor Emerita of American Studies at Smith College in MA.

BOSSIER CITY, La. - The Ark-La-Tex is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month with a special viewing of a sacred Torah scroll that survived the Holocaust.

05/27/2026

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this week’s article features Ben Kuroki, a Japanese American from Nebraska who fought to serve his country during World War II. Initially assigned as a clerk-typist at Barksdale Field, Kuroki’s persistence led him to the Eighth Air Force in England. There, he transitioned from administrative duties to mastering the .50-caliber machine guns of a B-24 Liberator, setting the stage for his legendary career as a combat gunner.

To learn more about Kuroki’s journey, click on the provided link: https://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/2026/05/ben-kuroki-all-american-war-hero-part-1.html