Featured Articles
Today in History: Homestead Act
Today in History–May 20–the Library of Congress features the Homestead Act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on this day in 1862. Designed to spur Western migration, the Homestead Act allowed U.S. citizens 21 years and older to earn 160 acres of land by paying a $10 filing fee and living on and farming [...]
![Norwegian carriage [Norway]](http://primarysourcenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/norway-150x150.jpg)
Today in History: Norway
Today in History–May 17–the Library of Congress features Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on this date in commemoration of the 1814 adoption of Norway’s constitution. Learn more about this Northern European country and Norwegian Americans by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below to access related primary sources. Norway primary source set from [...]
Today in History: Impeachment
Today in History–May 16–the Library of Congress features presidential impeachments. On this day in 1868, the U.S. Senate failed by one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” under the eleventh article of impeachment. The second trial of a U.S. president—President Bill Clinton—on articles of impeachment occurred in January and February of 1999. Learn more [...]
Learning from the Source: Tactics in the March to Suffrage
Collective action can lead to change. ”The basic functional requirements of a social movement,” according to Herbert W. Simons, Emeritus Professor of Communication, Temple University, “are an ability to mobilize human and material resources, to exert external influence, and to mount resistance to counter-pressures.” [1] In this primary source learning activity, students will examine the tactics supporters of [...]
Today in History: Arlington National Cemetery
Today in History–May 13–the Library of Congress features Arlington National Cemetery. On this day in 1864 a Confederate prisoner of war was buried on the grounds of Arlington House in Virginia, on the Potomac River opposite Washington, D.C. Today, the cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers from every war in which the United States has participated, [...]
Today in History: Siege of Fort Meigs
Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress features the siege of Fort Meigs by Shawnee military leader Tecumseh and British general Henry A. Proctor on this day in 1813. But the invaders were unsuccessful as General William Henry Harrison held onto the fort that he had ordered built on the Maumee River above Toledo, Ohio. Learn more about the players in this historical drama [...]
Today in History: Coca-Cola
Today in History–May 8–the Library of Congress features the soft drink Coca-cola, first sold on this day in 1886 at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. This carbonated beverage soon became a favorite in the United States; the company sales were around 100 million by the late 1890s. Learn more about the history of this iconic soda by visiting [...]
Today in History: Lusitania Lost
Today in History–May 7–the Library of Congress features the British ocean liner Lusitania, sunk by a German submarine on this day in 1915. Public outrage at the sinking of the civilian ship—though it was also carrying ammunition manufactured in the U.S.—was tremendous and helped to hasten U.S. entry into World War I. Learn more about this tragic day [...]
