27 Jun THE GUTENBERG BIBLE?!?!?!

What is 563 years old, Latin, & on display at the Library of Congress?

You guessed right, it’s the Gutenberg bible!

Twas the year 1455, when Johann Gutenberg decided to print one of the very first books on his very first mechanical printing press. On that day, the dispersal of knowledge and circulation of wisdom changed for the good of humanity. 

During the last couple of weeks, I have had the honor to do research at the Library of Congress (the best building in D.C. if you ask me) and whenever I am there I tend to reflect on past events and how they shaped the world we live in today. 

I myself am not just infatuated with old books but am fascinated with what the Gutenberg bible symbolizes. It reflects the transition out of the Dark Ages into an era of curiosity and skepticism. It allowed people to question outdated ideas and rediscover history to tell it from a different perspective.

This week I had the pleasure to talk to Sienna (one of our LHIP interns) about the Santa Fe Trail and the Hispanic traders in Fort Larned, Kansas. The discourse of the trail in Kansas is usually highlighted as an Anglo trade route and many people do not know the deep Spanish roots that ignited the economy. I will include this story in my project as well as many other stories that highlight how Hispanic and Latino stories are deeply rooted in U.S. history.

I bet Johann Gutenberg did not think I would be the one telling tales of lost history but thanks to the mechanical printing press and the dissemination of knowledge ever since, I am able to make a small yet significant difference.