Learning from the Source: The Declaration, Her Declaration, Your Declaration

Learning from the Source: The Declaration, Her Declaration, Your Declaration

Discuss the Declaration of Independence. Why was it written? What meaning did it have in 1776? What meaning does it have today? Read the Declaration of Independence and highlight words and phrases that stand out to you. Read over the words and phrases you highlighted. In what ways does the language you selected help to…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Signing the Declaration of Their Independence

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Signing the Declaration of Their Independence

Compare and contrast the illustration above with this well-known print. What similarities do you notice? What differences do you see? This illustration is actually a political cartoon. What do you think the purpose of the creator might have been? Now read the source record as well as the source record for the comparison print. Do you think…

Today in History: 24th Amendment Ends Poll Tax

Today in History: 24th Amendment Ends Poll Tax

Today in History–January 23–the Library of Congress features the 24th amendment, ratified on this day in 1964. This constitutional amendment barred the poll tax which, up until this time, required voters in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia to pay in order to vote in a national election. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links to related…

Today in History: Surrender at Yorktown

Today in History: Surrender at Yorktown

Today in History–October 19–the Library of Congress features the surrender at Yorktown of British General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington on this day in 1781. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about Cornwallis and the American Revolution. General Cornwallis primary source set Surrender of Yorktown primary source set Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown historical…