Today in History: Rock of Chickamauga

Today in History: Rock of Chickamauga

Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Civil War General George H. Thomas, born on this date in 1816. Although he was born in Virginia, Thomas allied with the Union in the Civil War. Thomas’ 1863 defense of Chickamauga Creek in northwestern Georgia led to the moniker the “Rock of Chickamauga”. The following year he played a key role in the…

Today in History: Henry Ford

Today in History: Henry Ford

Today in History–July 30–the Library of Congress features automobile magnate Henry Ford, born on this date in 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan. When incorporating his company in 1903, Ford proclaimed, “I will build a car for the great multitude.” Ford made good on that proclamation, selling more than 15 million Model T cars in the United States alone.  Learn more about the…

Today in History: Japan

Today in History: Japan

Today in History–July 29–the Library of Congress features the country of Japan. On this date in 1858, the United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (the Harris Treaty), which helped establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. Find out more about early U.S.-Japanese relations and Townsend Harris, the man who negotiated the treaty, by…

World Spotlight: The Bahamas

World Spotlight: The Bahamas

Country Study: Commonwealth of Caribbean Islands, including The Bahamas Bahamas primary source set, World Digital Library Bahamas maps Books about The Bahamas Bahamas songs (audio recordings) Bahamas historic newspaper coverage Bahamas images from American Memory More Bahamas images U.S. legislation related to Bahamas Guide to Law Online: Bahamas Comparing Independence Movements in the Americas Webcast More World History & Culture Resources

Today in History: Cardinal James Gibbons

Today in History: Cardinal James Gibbons

Today in History–July 23–the Library of Congress features Roman Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons, born on this date in 1834 in Pennsylvania. The second U.S. cardinal, Gibbons was a supporter of child labor reform and advocate of the separation of church and state. Learn more about this proactive priest and his journeys to and in the United States by visiting the Today in History section,…

Today in History: Alexander Calder

Today in History: Alexander Calder

Today in History–July 22–the Library of Congress features artist Alexander Calder, born on this date in 1898 in Pennsylvania. Calder’s mother was a painter and his father was a sculptor but Alexander began his career as a mechanical engineer. That early career choice served him well as an artist later when creating his first motor-driven sculptures, later…

Today in History: Walker Evans

Today in History: Walker Evans

Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features photojournalist Walker Evans. On this date in 1936 Evans took a leave of absence from from the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to accept a summer assignment with Fortune magazine. Evans and writer James McGee  worked together to document the lives of sharecropper families in Alabama, which would eventually be published in the book, Let…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Maya Dresden Codex

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Maya Dresden Codex

Compare and contrast this image with the other codex images included in the Heavens and Time section of the Exploring the Early Americas online exhibition. What similarities and differences do you notice? Investigate a codex-style vase. What did you learn? Describe a new insight you gained about the image above or another codex image. The Dresden Codex is…

World Spotlight: Mexico

World Spotlight: Mexico

Mexico country profile Mexico country study The Mexican Revolution and the United States 1910-1920 online exhibition Mexican primary sources from the World Digital Library Mexico maps Mexico images Mexico video recordings Mexico songs Mexico sheet music Mexican literary recordings Mexico books & documents Select newspaper articles: Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) More U.S. historical newspaper coverage of Mexico…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Indian Timothy Memorial Bridge

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Indian Timothy Memorial Bridge

The caption lists the date of creation of this photo to be 1993. Do you think the bridge was built around the same time as the photo was taken? Why or why not? Look carefully at details in the photograph and the bibliographic record. What purpose do you think this bridge serves? Can you find this…

Today in History: George M. Cohan

Today in History: George M. Cohan

Today in History–July 3–the Library of Congress features theater maestro George M. Cohan, born on this date in 1878. The multitalented Cohan was a playwright, songwriter, dancer, actor, theater owner, and producer. He also was awarded the Congressional medal of honor for his World War I song “Over There“. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…