Today in History: George Gershwin & Gullah Culture

Porgy and Bess title page
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features George Gershwin, who completed the orchestral score of the opera—Porgy and Bess—based on the DuBose Heyward novel on this date in 1935. The opera, like the novel, depicted the African-American Gullah culture of South Carolina. Learn more about this remarkable man and his collaborators on the internationally known opera by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below.

Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess: American Treasure online exhibition item

Porgy and Bess condensed score

Porgy, a play curator video note

George Gershwin: A Sketch for Porgy and Bess 

Scene from “Porgy and Bess,” 1935-1936 Theater Guild production

Porgy and Bess historical newspaper coverage

Leontyne Price of Porgy and Bess portraits

George Gershwin

Rhapsody in Blue song recording

I Got Rhythm: Concert for the Canadian War Effort May 16, 1941 audio recording

I Got Rhythm: Sing with the stars 1945 film recording (6:46) with bouncing sing-along lyrics

Gershwin: Prelude – E flat minor

Music of George Gershwin album cover and notes 1955

Letter from Ira Gershwin to Andre Kostelanetz April 24, 1969

George Gershwin historical newspaper coverage

Rhapsody in Blue historical newspaper coverage

George Gershwin portraits

Gershwin home movies

H.J.Res.251 – A joint resolution to provide that a special gold medal honoring George Gershwin 07/25/1985

Library articles and blog posts about George Gershwin

Gullah Culture

Gullah/Geechee History and Culture research guide

Gullah/Geechee Collections at the American Folklife Center

The Black Border; Gullah Stories of the Carolina Coast 1922

A map of South Carolina and a part of Georgia. Containing the whole sea-coast

Gullah historical newspaper coverage

Gullah stories & personal narratives

Gullah oral histories & songs

Bill Tatnall, sitting with guitar, Frederica, Georgia

McIntosh County Shouters: Gullah-Geechee Ring Shout from Georgia event recording

Growing Up Gullah event recording

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act H.R.4683, 2003-2004

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act H.R.694, 2005-2006