LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Today @ 10am: A reminder that the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum in #Compton is celebrating its 200th anniversary today. dominguezrancho.org/bicentennial...

Completed in 1826, the original adobe home was built on land that was part of Rancho San Pedro, the first Spanish land grant in California.

@LAhistory @lahistory.bsky.social · Jul 22

SAVE THE DATE: Located in Compton, the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum is celebrating its bicentennial on September 19, 2026. dominguezrancho.org/bicentennial...

This announcement (set against a sepia-colored background) reads: The Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum presents the Bicentennial Celebration / September 19, 2026 / 10am - 4pm. Join the Museum in Celebrating the Dominguez Adobe Home's 200th Birthday.

September 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Sep 18, 1932: Pilots James Herman Banning and Thomas Cox Allen flew out of Los Angeles and headed for the East Coast. When they landed in New York on Oct 9, 1932, they became the first Black pilots to complete a transcontinental flight. airandspace.si.edu/stories/edit... #aviationhistory

This b/w graphic celebrates Banning and Allen’s transcontinental flight and includes a photo of their plane along with portraits of the two pilots in the top right corner. The words "First Trans-Continental Flight" are printed on the bottom of the image. Photo is from the National Air and Space Museum Archives.

September 18, 2026 at 6:26 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Sat @ 7pm: There are a few free tickets left for the “Lost LA Evening at Libros Schmibros” in honor of the 10th anniversary of the #LostLA series. www.eventbrite.com/e/a-lost-la-... #LAevents

This gold-colored announcement features an old photo of the Mulholland Dam. The text reads: A Lost LA Evening at Libros Schmibros / Celebrating 10 Years of Lost LA / Three classic episodes / Q & A with host Nathan Masters / Saturday, September 19, 2026 / 7pm - 9pm / Libros Schmibros Lending Library / 103 N. Boyle Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033. Image from Libros Schmibros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DczJp1kynom/?hl=en

September 18, 2026 at 2:35 AM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Sat @ 2pm: "LAPL Mixtape, on Wax / Gospel Testimonies" at LAPL's Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch in Expo Park-> www.eventbrite.com/e/aloud-in-c...

“A vinyl listening experience & community conversation exploring how Black Southern #gospel traditions took root in Los Angeles.” #musichistory

ALOUD in Community: The LAPL Mixtape, On Wax

Verse 1: Gospel Testimonies — In conversation with Calvin B. Rhone of GMWA LA at Exposition Park Branch

www.eventbrite.com

September 17, 2026 at 3:45 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Mexican Independence Day celebrated on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall (1935) via @uclalibrary.bsky.social. digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:...

A large crowd gathered on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall to watch the Mexican Independence Day parade. Several motorized floats can be seen in the foreground.

September 16, 2026 at 9:15 PM

Reposted by @LAhistory

Lawrence Culver

@lawrencecphd.bsky.social

For Mexico’s Independence Day, a brief history of the largest Spanish language newspaper in the US, L.A.’s La Opinión, which began publishing 100 years ago today. From the archives of the Huntington Library.

youtube.com/shorts/L1op7...

100 Years of La Opinión, One of the Largest Spanish-language Newspapers in the U.S.

YouTube video by The Huntington

youtube.com

September 16, 2026 at 3:57 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

The first issue of La Opinión [ @laopinionla.bsky.social ] was published in Los Angeles 100 years ago today. news.google.com/newspapers?n... #newspaperhistory

A screen capture of the La Opinion article titled "La Ceremonia del 'Grito' en Los Angeles". The excerpt reads: En el "Lincoln Park", el Consul de Mexico vitoreo a los heroes de la independencia —Las fiestas en Balverde — El programa para hoy. En medio del más grande de los entusiasmos, como es aquel que se inflama en el fuego del patriotismo, se celebró anoche la tradicional ceremonia de El Grito en el Parque Lincoln de esta ciudad, donde se conglomera ron las multitudes ansiosas de sentir dentro de su entraña la voz de la Patria, encarnada en el Himno Nacional y en
¡la bandera del Ejército Trigarante. Desde las primeras horas de la noche los terrenos del Parque Lincoln empezaron a verse invadidos de lindas mujeres mexicanas, desde las de las clases más distinguidas hasta las de las más humildes, mujeres que por ser hondamente, patriotas son más hermosas, porque tienen la belleza del ideal; de hombres de tez broncínea. raza fuerte que en tierra extraña busca el pan, y que cuando llega el día en que se llevan las ofrendas ante el altar de la patria, están siempre listos a agruparse en hermandad sin tasa, a abandonar tods ls rencillas, y a unir su corazón noble. al corazón latente de la Patria.

A screen capture of the first issue of La Opinión, above the fold. The Spanish headlines read:

- Se Registraron Los Primeros Combates En El Yaqui
- El Gobierno envia fuertes contingentes de soldados
- Cien pasajeros venian en el convoy asaltado por los rebeldes
- El asunto de la evangelista McPhersonse enreda mas
- Este Numero de "LA OPINION"
- Cien pasajeros venian en el convoy asaltado por los rebeldes yaquis
- La Ceremonia del "Grito" en Los Angeles
- Los Prelados de E.U. Apoyan a Los De Mexico

September 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

This mid-19th century Mexican flag was flown for Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Los Angeles. It's currently on display for the first time as part of the Autry Museum’s exhibit “Life, Liberty and Los Angeles.” #HispanicHeritageMonth #MexicanIndependenceDay

A color photo of a large Mexican flag in the Autry's exhibit gallery for "Life, Liberty and Los Angeles." A small bit of the museum description can be seen in the bottom right corner. It reads: The American Revolution inspired wars for independence across the Americas, from Haiti to Argentina. On September 16, 1810, rebels in Mexico launched a series of revolts against Spain and won Mexican Independence in 1821. Took this photo in July 2026.

September 15, 2026 at 5:48 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Also toured thru the Hollywood Heritage Museum archives yesterday as part of #DoorsOpenCA (each tour visitor had a chance to hold this #Emmy award from their collection🏆).

Today is the last day of the museum’s Hollywood memorabilia sale: www.hollywoodheritage.org/event-detail... #hollywoodhistory

This bejeweled Russian head-dress worn by Dolores Del Rio (in the film "The Red Dance") was on display as part of the tour of the Hollywood Heritage Museum archives, along with photos of the famous actress wearing the headpiece.

Also on display: Anna May Wong's original calling card, an Emmy award, and the original painting used for the "Ten Commandments" movie poster. Each of us on the tour were able to hold the Emmy (which was not that heavy).

A photo of one of the tables covered in movie lobby cards and publicity photos for sale at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Many (but not all) of these items came from the son of actor Glenn Ford, so the inside sale is somewhat Glenn-Ford-centric.

A photo of the books (& a few VHS & DVDs) for sale outside the Hollywood Heritage Museum. The museum's California landmark plaque can be seen on the right of the photo.

September 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

So glad I was able to see the exhibit “A New Song: Langston Hughes in the West” yesterday at the California African American Museum! Today is the last day of the exhibit. caamuseum.org/exhibitions/... #LangstonHughes #MuseumSky

A color photo of CAAM's exhibit "A New Song: Langston Hughes in the West” shows a few of the orange and blue walls that feature the poet's time in Los Angeles and Carmel. Photos, street signs, maps and museum text can be seen on the walls along with a pair of headphones through which visitors can listen to Hughes' UCLA talk from 1967.

September 13, 2026 at 2:44 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

When David Botello painted his "Read Between the Lines" mural in 1975, a public telephone stood in the middle of the wall (www.themcla.org/murals/read-... ). At some point, the public telephone had been removed from the street. The artist updated the mural to include this image of #September11th.

A close up of the phone booth painted into David Botello's mural shows a computer terminal (attached to a phone) inside the booth shell. On the computer screen is an image of the World Trade Center, just before the second plane hit the south tower. Just below the WTC are three phrases: No Fear / Los Tiempos Han Cambiado / Stand Together. Took this photo last year.

This close up comes from the original photo on the Mural Conservancy of LA's website. It shows the public telephone that once stood in front of Botello's mural on Olympic Blvd. As you can see, the artist painted the blue shape of the phone shell/hood into his original painting.

September 12, 2026 at 3:19 AM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

"Two thoughts immediately came to mind as [Alex Padilla] sat in his #Pacoima living room. If the country was under attack, Los Angeles, he thought, would be an obvious target. And Mayor James K. Hahn was out of state, making Padilla the acting mayor of the nation’s second-largest city." #Sept11

L.A. Material @lamaterial.com · 7d

What was L.A. like on 9/11?

When the Twin Towers were hit on 9/11, L.A.’s mayor was out of town and Alex Padilla, the 28-year-old City Council president was in charge: buff.ly/CT9MVnx

The 28-Year-Old Who Ran L.A. on 9/11

When the towers fell, L.A.'s mayor was out of town and then-City Council President Alex Padilla found himself in charge.

lamaterial.com

September 11, 2026 at 8:41 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Remembering the 25th anniversary of September 11 with the “Recovering Equilibrium" memorial by artists BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux, located at the base of the LAX Theme Building. #NeverForget #Sept11

This close up of the 'Recovering Equilibrium" memorial shows the flight details for UA175, bound for LAX, embedded in the terrazzo floor. A bit of the stainless steel dish can be seen in the top right corner with the words "Civil Rights" and "American Soil >Remember" on the dish's blue perimeter. Took this photo back when you could still walk under the Theme Building.

This color photo of the September 11 memorial includes the artist information that reads: "Recovering Equilibrium - A 9/11 Memorial / Public Artist BJ Krivanek and Public Designer Joel Breaux." The stainless steel dish can be seen in the background along with the words "Liberty / Voting Rights / United We Stand / Let Freedom [Ring]" in the blue perimeter. Took this photo back when you could still walk under the Theme Building.

This close up of the "Recovering Equilibrium" memorial shows the flight details for UA93, bound for SFO, embedded in the terrazzo floor. A bit of the stainless steel dish can be seen in the top left corner with the words "Emancipation" and "Land of the Free" on the dish's blue perimeter. Took this photo back when you could still walk under the Theme Building.

September 11, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Reposted by @LAhistory

LAist

@laist.com

Here's a list of events in L.A. and O.C. counties on Friday and Saturday remembering 9/11.

🔗 Full story: vist.ly/5h2ty

✍️ Fiona Ng
📸 Spencer Platt/Getty Images

White roses and a small American flag on a 9/11 memorial with engraved names.

September 11, 2026 at 2:59 AM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

The first issue of La Opinión was published in Los Angeles 100 years ago (on September 16, 1926). laopinion.com/la-opinion-1... #newspaperhistory

Founder Ignacio E. Lozano, Sr. "wanted to provide news of the native homeland as well as of the new country for the growing Mexican population in SoCal."

This excerpt reads:

La Opinión began publishing in Los Angeles on September 16, 1926. It was founded by Ignacio E. Lozano, Sr., a Mexican national who "wanted to provide news of the native homeland as well as of the new country for the growing Mexican population in Southern California" (Subervi-Vélez, et al., 1994: 318). The Lozano family still runs the newspaper's editorial policies and operation, but the corporate ownership has gone through changes since the 1980s? Overall, La Opinión editorial orientation has historically been more liberal than conservative, especially in its stands regarding the status and problems faced by the Mexican and other Latino communities in the Southern California region. La Opinión is a broadsheet paper, of approximately 60 pages and with a circulation of about 128,000. Today, as has been the case since its foundation, the vast...

Google books: https://books.google.com/books?id=KhuOAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PR1&pg=PA89#v=onepage&q&f=false

The red, white and blue cover of the 2009 book "The Mass Media and Latino Politics: Studies of U.S. Media Content, Campaign Strategies and Survey Research: 1984-2004" shows the Mexican flag situated between a Democratic donkey and a Republican elephant. There is a cartoon text bubble pointing to both animals that reads "¡Hey amigo, vota por mi!"

September 10, 2026 at 11:42 PM

Reposted by @LAhistory

Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West

@huscicw.bsky.social

🧵 Los Angeles just renamed Pershing Square in honor of Biddy Mason, who was born into slavery but won her freedom and went on to become a prominent landowner, philanthropist, and community leader.

Learn more about her extraordinary life with Kevin Waite about his new biography: bit.ly/icwSept24

September 9, 2026 at 9:04 PM

Reposted by @LAhistory

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

@nhm.org

🎨 Friday, September 25, experience an intimate evening of conversation and creativity with Chicana artist Barbara Carrasco and her landmark mural, “L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective”!

Free with advance registration and space is very limited: go.nhm.org/painting-la

September 9, 2026 at 10:34 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Sept 9, 1909: The Santa Monica Pier opened #OTD. Opening day postcard via @smpubliclibrary.bsky.social: digital.smpl.org/digital/coll... #santamonicapier

Santa Monica Municipal Pier opening day "Pier Day," September 9, 1909.

Santa Monica Public Library Image Archives. PST3 Digital object 3085 img0040

digital.smpl.org

September 10, 2026 at 2:49 AM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

Sep 26: Glen Creason will be speaking at #LAPL www.lapl.org/events/centr...

"We will discuss [The Library Book] with Central Library’s map librarian emeritus, Glen Creason, who experienced the fire firsthand and then joined the intense effort to save the collection and reopen the library in 1993."

L.A. Material @lamaterial.com · 14d

Before Google, L.A. had Glen Creason and the L.A. Central Library. As a reference librarian, Creason answered 100+ questions a day from callers across the city — and beyond.

Read this first hand account of his time at the L.A. Central Library: buff.ly/mRTDktL

When We Were Google

A former reference librarian at the L.A. Central Library on the wonders of a bygone L.A. job.

buff.ly

September 9, 2026 at 11:11 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

The song “I Love You, California” was designated California’s official song 75 years ago (in April 1951). capitolmuseum.ca.gov/state-symbol... #CaliforniaAdmissionDay

A photo of the "I Love you, California" sheet music as seen in the book "Songs in the Key of Los Angeles," edited by Josh Kun. Situated under the song title, the prominent image features a bear standing on his/her hind legs as he/she hugs the state of California. The song credits are printed around/underneath the hugging bear and read: "Words by F.B. Silverwood / Music by A.F. Frankenstein / Mary Garden stopped Grand Opera to make this California song famous."

September 9, 2026 at 8:02 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

September 9, 1850: California entered the Union as the nation's 31st state. Unique Map of #California (1885), via @uclalibrary.bsky.social: digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:... #CaliforniaAdmissionDay

Within this map of California (circa 1885) are three inset maps that display soil types, temperature ranges, and geographical areas of California. Pictorial insets feature notable natural & man-made landmarks across the state, such as Palm Canyon, Yosemite, Mt. Whitney, Hotel del Coronado and the Hotel del Monte. Acreage and the principal crops are listed in each county. A smaller drawing of California is situated on the bottom left showing how smaller states fit within the state lines.

A close up of this 1885 map shows counties in Southern California, such as Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino. Orange County is not included on this map as it was established in 1889.

This smaller image of California reflects how smaller states fit within state's border. States include: New York, Ohio, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware

September 9, 2026 at 3:36 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

"The prosperous condition in this city is not enjoyed by those who toil,” C. F. Grow, Southern Pacific Railroad machinist & labor leader (1914). #LaborDay #LaborHistory

"Sunshine Was Never Enough: Los Angeles Workers, 1880-2010" -> www.google.com/books/editio... #BookSky

An excerpt from “Sunshine Was Never Enough” reads:

Some of the other pro-employer testimony was genuine, and the commissioners were right to accept it at face value. But Commissioner James O'Connell (who was also president of the International Association of Machinists) invited several union leaders to testify, with enlightening results. C.F. Grow, a machinist at the Southern Pacific Railroad's repair shop, openly criticized the anti-union strategy of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association, although he did not name the organization specifically. "The prosperous condition in this city is not enjoyed by those who toil," Grow said. "We have combinations of men .. who are very, very wealthy. They dominate all the railroad lines and everything [that] comes under their domination and power. If labor was only half so prosperous as these gentlemen, I think we would be very well satisfied.”

J. W. Buzzell, business agent for the Metal Trades Council, who would later become secretary of the Los Angeles Central Labor Council, was more specific.

He challenged booster assertions about labor prosperity by citing state reports showing that the wages earned by metalworkers in San Francisco, Texas, and Illinois were significantly higher than those earned by metalworkers in L.A. In San Francisco, Buzzell stated, metalworkers made $, an hour for an eight-hour day; in Texas, they made from $3.75 to $5 a day for eight hours of work. But in Los Angeles, metalworkers earned only "$2.50 a day to $4.50 a day for the same class of work." In some nonunion metal shops, Buzzell added pointedly, "they work eight hours for whatever the boss can get them to work for."

The cover of the book "Sunshine Was Never Enough: Los Angeles Workers, 1880-2010" by John H. M. Laslett features a b/w photo an oil well gusher and fire in Signal Hill (circa early 20th century).

September 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM

@LAhistory

@lahistory.bsky.social

A few photos from Saturday’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the “wedding of the rails” at Lang Station. SCV Historical Society's Alan Pollack & Chinese Historical Society of SoCal's Eugene Moy spoke about this important milestone in #LAhistory (& both took a few swings of the spike maul).