A new year has once again arrived bringing forth new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and a new set of creative works entering into the public domain! Every January 1st, we celebrate Domain Day, a day to highlight works that have reached their 95th anniversary. This milestone means they are no longer under copyright restrictions, which opens the door for renewed creativity and innovation.
On this year’s docket, we look back to 1929 and see familiar names such as A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, Hitchcock’s seminal thriller, Blackmail, Singin’ in the Rain written and composed by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, and the Hemingway Classic, A Farewell to Arms.
All of these featured items can be found in Johns Hopkins Libraries’ Databases, and thanks to the support of our donors, we are able to make sure cultural artifacts such as these remain accessible to our community!
What if Shakespeare had a sister with talents rivaling his? What opportunities might she have had—or been denied—without the education, financial independence, and societal support that her brother enjoyed? In this groundbreaking essay by Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own argues that for women to create great literature, they need both literal and figurative space—a room of their own and financial freedom. It remains a foundational text in feminist literature and a profound commentary on gender and creativity.
Directed by the “Master of Suspense” himself, Alfred Hitchcock, Blackmail is a thriller widely regarded as one of the first British “talkies.” The film showcases Hitchcock’s signature themes of guilt, suspense, and moral ambiguity and foreshadowed his future mastery of the thriller genre, blending psychological intensity with visual storytelling.
The title song of the Broadway classic, Singin’ in the Rain captures that blissful feeling brought on by newfound love. Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, the song’s upbeat melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a timeless anthem of joy and love.
Drawing from Hemingway’s own wartime experiences, A Farewell to Arms is a profound exploration of human resilience and disillusionment. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the story is a poignant tale of love and loss. It remains a classic of modern literature, celebrated for its emotional depth and timeless themes.
Support from our donors helps us maintain and grow the incredible collection, including these classics now in the public domain! If you’re interested in helping Sheridan Libraries continue to inspire and inform, please consider making a gift!