Today in History: Uncle Sam & James Montgomery Flagg

Today in History: Uncle Sam & James Montgomery Flagg

Today in History–June 18–the Library of Congress features Uncle Sam illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, born on this day in 1877. In addition to the iconic Uncle Sam, Flagg created dozens of posters supporting the war effort during World War I. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to Flagg…

Today in History: Thornton Wilder

Today in History: Thornton Wilder

Today in History–April 17–the Library of Congress features writer Thornton Wilder, born on this day in 1897. This lauded American writer produced award-winning (3 Pulitzer Prizes and 1 National Book Award) plays, novels, essays, and more. Find out more about this literary master by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about Wilder…

Today in History: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Today in History: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Today in History–February 2–the Library of Congress features the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on this day in 1848. The treaty ended the United States’ war with Mexico and extended the U.S. western boundary to the Pacific ocean. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover more about this war between the…

Today in History: The Alcotts

Today in History: The Alcotts

Today in History–November 29–the Library of Congress features the Alcott family. The family patriarch, educator Amos Bronson Alcott was born on this date in 1799. His second of four daughters, author Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832, also on November 29. Learn more about both father and daughter as well as other Alcott family members by visiting the Today in History section then click the…

Today in History: James Monroe

Today in History: James Monroe

Today in History–October 17–the Library of Congress features James Monroe, who wrote wrote a letter on this date in 1823 to friend and former president Thomas Jefferson seeking advice on foreign policy. Both Jefferson and  James Madison, another former president, advised Monroe to join with Great Britain in a declaration warning other European nations not to intervene in the affairs of Central and South America….

Today in History: Sarah Winnemucca

Today in History: Sarah Winnemucca

Today in History–October 14–the Library of Congress features Sarah Winnemucca, who died on this day in 1891. Winnemucca was first Native American woman to publish a book in English, Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, which is an autobiographical account of her tribe’s experiences during their first forty years of contact with white explorers and settlers….

Today in History: George Perkins Marsh

Today in History: George Perkins Marsh

Today in History–September 30–the Library of Congress features Congressman George Perkins Marsh, who delivered a speech on agricultural conditions in New England on this day in 1847 that recognized the capacity for environmental destruction and advocated for resource management and restoration. Find out more by reviewing the Today in History section and reviewing the resources below. George Perkins Marsh images George P. Marsh address delivered before…