Oral History

Between 1964 and 1975, nearly 3,500,000 men and women served in the United States armed forces in Southeast Asia. Each of them has a story to tell. Each story is unique.

Atlanta History Center the second museum in the country to host this nation-wide initiative.

Black soldiers have served this country since the Revolutionary War and their stories are vital in creating a more complete, more accurate picture of America’s past.

We are losing a generation who brought about sweeping social change as teenagers in the 1960s. Constance “Connie” Curry, Congressman John Lewis, and Rev. C.T. Vivian are just three towering Atlantans who have recently died. Often, as they go, so do their stories.

Oral histories are memories that people share about the past. Ever since humans developed language, parents passed down family and community history to their children orally—with the spoken word—rather than by writing alone.

We collect, preserve, and share veterans’ accounts so future generations can hear directly and better appreciate the realities of war and the sacrifices made.

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed in German-occupied France in the largest amphibious invasion. More than 75 years later we listen to their stories and remember.

This Memorial Day we honor our veterans by hearing from Col. Robert Certain, who bravely fought during the Vietnam War.