The Library of Congress is seeking nominations for the 2012 National Film Registry.
Under the National Film Preservation Act, the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry every year. In order for a film to be eligible, it must be at least 10 years old and be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Find out which films made the 2011 list.
Public nominations and input play a key role when the Librarian of Congress and National Film Board consider the final selections for the year.
Find out how to submit your nominations for the 2012 Film Registry.
Image description: National Museum of American History curator Carlene Stephens examines a glass disc recording that was made in Alexander Graham Bell’s Volta Lab. The disc contains the audio of a male voice repeating “Mary had a little lamb” twice.
In December, scholars recovered sound from this and other recordings made over 100 years ago. Until now, the technology to listen to the recordings without damaging the objects was not available. Learn more about how they recovered the audio.
Photo by Rich Strauss, Smithsonian Institution
On December 28, 2011, the Librarian of Congress announced the 2011 additions to the National Film Registry.
Under the National Film Preservation Act, the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry every year. In order for a film to be eligible, it must be at least 10 years old and be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Films selected for the 2011 National Film Registry include:
- Allures (1961)
- Bambi (1942)
- The Big Heat (1953)
- A Computer Animated Hand (1972)
- Crisis: Behind A Presidential Commitment (1963)
- The Cry of the Children (1912)
- A Cure for Pokeritis (1912)
- El Mariachi (1992)
- Faces (1968)
- Fake Fruit Factory (1986)
- Forrest Gump (1994)
- Growing Up Female (1971)
- Hester Street (1975)
- I, an Actress (1977)
- The Iron Horse (1924)
- The Kid (1921)
- The Lost Weekend (1945)
- The Negro Soldier (1944)
- Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies (1930s-40s)
- Norma Rae (1979)
- Porgy and Bess (1959)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Stand and Deliver (1988)
- Twentieth Century (1934)
- War of the Worlds (1953)
Learn more about the National Film Registry and the 2011 selections.
Image description: Seventy-five percent of the world’s coral reefs are currently threatened by local and global pressures, according to a 2011 analysis. The most immediate and direct threats arise from local sources, which currently threaten more than 60% of coral reefs. Local threats include impacts from fishing, coastal development, and pollution. Left unchecked, the percent of threatened reefs will increase to more than 90% by 2030 and to nearly all reefs by 2050.
Photo by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service
Home canning lets you preserve the summer fruits and vegetables you grew in your garden or bought at the farmers market. The National Center for Home Food Preservation offers these tips for beginners:
- Choose proper ingredients including unblemished produce that’s not overly ripe. When recipes call for salt, use only canning and pickling salts.
- Use jars and lids specifically designed for canning. Always use new lids; you may re-use jar rings.
- Check all jars for chips and cracks before processing.
- Use modern, research-tested recipes created anytime after the year 2000 and follow them exactly. Your local Extension office is a great source for reliable recipes.
- Select the proper method - use boiling water canners only for fruits, tomatoes and pickles since the temperature of boiling water is sufficient to kill bacteria in these high acid foods. Pressure canning safely preserves low-acid vegetables and meats.
Find more tips on how to preserve your fruits and vegetables.
