Today in History: Carl Schurz

Speech of Hon. Carl Schurz, of Missouri at Indianapolis, Indiana, July 20, 1880
Today in History–October 29–the Library of Congress features journalist and politician Carl Schurz. On this date in 1855, the recent German immigrant wrote his wifeMargarethe Meyer Schurz, about his hope for their future in America. Exactly five years later Schurz sent his wife another letter, this time from Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign trail. Schurz served as a U.S. senator and worked with several presidents, most notably as secretary of the interior under Rutherford B. Hayes. In this role he pushed for the creation of forest reserves and a federal forest service. Learn more about this conservationist and anti-imperialist by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below.

Carl Schurz image set

Carl Schurz political cartoons

Intimate letters of Carl Schurz, 1841-1869

Carl Schurz correspondence

Carl Schurz speeches & articles

Speeches by Pres. Hayes, Sec. Schurz, and Others– Natural Development–Three Questions Settled The American Missionary Volume 34, Issue 7, Jul 1880

Carl Schurz historical newspaper coverage

Magazine articles by Carl Schurz