Good News from LC
A friend writes…
Colleagues-
This just in from the Library of Congress. It’s about time.
CATALOGING POLICY AND SUPPORT OFFICE
SUMMARY OF DECISIONS, EDITORIAL MEETING NUMBER 13Vietnam War, 1961-1975
The heading “Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975” is being revised to Vietnam War, 1961-1975 on this list. Changes to references on headings for individual battles and operations in the war are not included on the list. Instead, the reference changes will be made off list and the updated subject authority records will be distributed along with the revised records for the war and subdivisions established under the name of the war.
3 comments on “Good News from LC”
Good thing for the dates. In Vietnam the phrase “Vietnam War” has no specific reference since there have been many in recent years (are we talking the French, Americans, Khmer Rouge, Chinese?) In Vietnam it’s known as the “American War”. The ironies. (The official neutral name is suppposed to be the “Second Indochina War”, but then who actually calls it that.)
I am not sure how significant the difference is between “war” and “conflict” in terms of LC subject headings.
I think it’s significant for two reasons. One reason is that people commonly call it a war, not a conflict. The other reason is that it was called by the gov’t a “conflict” as a euphemism. You and I have had conflicts, but not wars.
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