100 years ago, the first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded. Four prizes were awarded that year: two for feats in journalism, one to a biographical novel, and one to a novel that discussed the history of the United States. In 2015, 21 awards were given out in categories ranging from Breaking News Reporting and Feature Writing to Poetry and Music—compare that to the four awards given during the first year!
This year marks the Centennial Celebration of the Pulitzer Prize, an annual award given to various artists who have produced journalism, literature or music that reflect their achievements and influences in regards to American culture. Though the winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prizes are not to be announced until the end of April, celebratory events are already sparking up across the nation, and a few are in Florida—so grab your Pulitzer Prize-winning novels and let’s celebrate American imagination and talent together here at home.
The term “Pulitzer Prize” should ring a bell, especially since middle and high schools across the nation assign Pulitzer Prize winners as summer reading and curriculum. Here are some titles that may spark your memory: in 1921, Edith Wharton was awarded the prize for The Age of Innocence and became the first woman to win the prize for fiction, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell won in 1937, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee won in 1961, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath won in 1940 and in 1953 Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea won the prize. A myriad of journalists have also won Pulitzer Prizes, which originated from Joseph Pulitzer’s own accomplishments in the world of journalism. Over the years, the span of the prizes has broadened, touching a variety of categories of talent—from journalism and fiction to music and photography.
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To mark the 100th year of annual recognitions of talented creators, the Pulitzer Prize committee has decided to continue celebrating the past winners of the award by involving them in more than 100 events planned for the span of 2016—a year long party! These events reach across the entire nation.
Of these events, the majority are free of cost and open to the public – that means you! There are four main events, the first of which is occurring in St. Petersburg, Florida in March. The theme of this first event is social justice and equality, incorporating workshops, discussions, performances, and more. Another main event will be held in Dallas, Texas; the third in Los Angeles, California; the last in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Of these events scattered across the nation, Florida State University will be hosting one on February 18th. Jon Meacham, whose biography of Andrew Jackson American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House won a Pulitzer Prize in 2009, will be discussing the historical perspective of the American presidency, an ever-evolving position in government. This speech, which will be followed by a Q&A session and a book signing, will be held in the Turnbull Center. To learn more about this event, visit the event’s official page on the Pulitzer website.
Courtesy:Â Center for Academic & Professional Development, Florida State University
The Pulitzer Prize committee has introduced the hashtag “#Pulitzer100” across social media platforms to bring attention to the various events they are holding this year.
Head over to Instagram (@pulitzer_prizes) and check out their profile for fun updates and information on future events.
Interested in learning about the past winners of the Pulitzer Prize?  Check out the list of last year’s winners. Learn about the history and origins of the prize as well while you peruse the lists of winners.
Remember never to limit yourself—one day, your name could be on that list alongside Edith Wharton, Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt and other inspirational authors!Â