War Memorials

War Memorials

This selection features news stories that discuss commemoration and interpretation of the U.S. Civil War and World War II. The Civil War news reports highlight the challenges for southern states and the legacy of Confederate statues in public places. The World War Two segments feature the design and implementation of new monuments and veterans commemorating anniversaries. Note: This guide was designed for students at Vanderbilt University, hyperlinks will not work unless the user is authenticated in the Vanderbilt University system.

Civil War Monuments

1. Louis Schiavone. "New Civil War Monument." (July 18, 1998). CNN. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/425909

   New monument honoring African-American Civil War heroes featured; scenes shown from Washington of dedication celebrations.

2. Manuel Bojorquez. "Stone Mountain / Edward Williams / Jack Christian / Stonewall Jackson." (August 17, 2017). CBS Evening News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1200411

   A new poll shows a majority of Americans, 62 percent, want Confederate statues to remain standing as historical symbols. Twenty seven percent of those polled believe the statue should be removed because they're offensive. Manuel Bojorquez has more on this from Stone Mountain, Georgia, there's no bigger monument to the Confederacy than this towering sculpture on Stone Mountain outside Atlanta.

3. Virginia Alexandria. "Civil War Fight" (April 7, 2010) ABC World News Tonight. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/962515.

   The controversy in Virginia over Governor Bob McDonnell's decision to honor the Confederate veterans of the Civil War featured; the governor's proclamation & his updating of the proclamation to note the role of slavery quoted; scenes shown of some state monuments.

4. Ron Mott. "Civil War Anniversary." (April 12, 2011) NBC Nightly News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/995789.

   From Fort Sumter, South Carolina: Ron Mott reports on The Civil War remembered; scenes shown of re-enactors at Fort Sumter, South Carolina; historical photos shown; details given about the freeing of the slaves. 

5. Kerry Sanders. "South / Lee Statue / Confederacy Monuments" (July 8, 2017) NBC Nightly News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1113084

   From Providence, Florida: Kerry Sanders reports on the debate over Confederate monuments to the Civil War in light of the fate of the statue of Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia; scenes shown of the KKK & from a Confederate cemetery in Providence, Florida; statistics on relics of the Confederacy cited.

World War Two Monuments and Commemorations

1. Howard K. Smith. "Okinawa / Japan Royalty." (July 17, 1975). ABC World News Tonight. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/38241

   Crown prince and princess of Japan visit war memorial on Okinawa when radicals throw gasoline fire bombs at them. Incident shown. Radicals want Japanese apology for Okinawa suffering in World War II.

2. Bob Faw. "Washington, DC / World War II Memorial." (May 28, 2004) NBC Nightly News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/756427

   From Washington, Bob Faw reports on the significance of the memorial for World War II veterans featured; scenes shown from the memorial.

3. Nicole Killian. "Raya Kenney / Phyllis Gould / World War Two Monument" (February 19, 2020) URL:  https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1258939

   High school student Raya Kenney advocates for a monument to the women workers of World War Two. Inspired by "Rosie the Riveter," Kenney sought the guidance of Phyllis Gould a woman that worked on the assembly lines during the war.

4. John Blackstone. "Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary" (December 07, 2016). CBS Evening News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/1181581.

   Mel Heckman returns to Pearl Harbor with his family to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack. Heckman was 18 years old during the attack. His family reflects on the importance of remembering what happened.

5. Lisa Myers. "Home of the Brave: World War II Memorial" (May 04, 2001). NBC Nightly News. URL: https://tvnews-vbe.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/638620.
   The continuing debate over the location and form of the World War II memorial examined; details given of the decision to review the monument plans because of fierce opposition; scenes shown of ground breaking ceremony in Washington, DC.