STATEHOUSE CALENDAR

The State Library of Ohio presents an exhibit at the Ohio Statehouse. The display honors the history of persons of color in military service and the 75th anniversary of desegregation in the United States Armed Services. State and federal publications from the State Library of Ohio collections, as well as printed items from digital libraries, will chronicle the evolution of integration in military service. In collaboration with the Ohio National Guard, the display supports state and national Freedom to Serve initiatives.

Over time, spoken and written language changes reflect social norms for some and accepted or preferred labels defining groups and individuals. Items in this display provide historical context and include publications and quotes with typical language used to identify racial and ethnic groups and individuals from specific time periods.

Persons of color have served with increasing numbers and capacities in United States’ wars and conflicts from as far back as the American Revolutionary War to today. During World War II, the United States Army was the nation's largest minority employer. 2.5 million Black men registered for the draft through December 31, 1945, and more than one million were inducted into the armed forces. Along with thousands of Black women, they served in mostly segregated units within all branches of service and operations.

Acts of heroism in battle and vital contributions during World War II by persons of color was the beginning of the end of racial segregation in the armed forces. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 stating that “there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”

The order was not an immediate end to segregation. Instead, Executive Order 9981 established the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. The order stated, “The Committee is authorized on behalf of the President to examine into the rules, procedures and practices of the armed services in order to determine in what respect such rules, procedures and practices may be altered or improved with a view to carrying out the policy of this order. The Committee shall confer and advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Air Force, and shall make such recommendations to the President and to said Secretaries as in the judgement of the Committee will effectuate the policy hereof.” The Committee’s recommendations were the founding ideals of a fully inclusive force in the “Freedom to Serve” report on May 22, 1950.

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The following associated event is not at the Ohio Statehouse, but some programs will be livestreamed.

TRUMAN CIVIL RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Executive Order 9981 and the Desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces

July 26-28, 2023 

Washington, D.C.

Photo by U.S. Air National Guard, Senior Airman Mikayla Gibbs, 2021