Today In History: India Independence

Today In History: India Independence

Today in History–August 15–the British formally recognized India’s independence and India and Pakistan were divided into separate territories. The partition left many on the wrong side of the border and terrible violence with mass casualties ensued. Click the links below to learn more. India independence 1947 U.S. historical newspaper coverage Modern-day U.S. legislation commemorating Indian…

Primary Source Spotlight: Emmeline Pankhurst

Primary Source Spotlight: Emmeline Pankhurst

From the Library of Congress: Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) was the unchallenged leader of the direct action wing of the British suffrage movement. She had, followers claimed, “invented most of the ingenious and daring devices of the “Militant Suffragette’ which have stirred up so much discussion throughout the civilized world.” Primary sources Emmeline Pankhurst image set…

Primary Source Spotlight: Second Amendment & Gun Control

Primary Source Spotlight: Second Amendment & Gun Control

Bill of Rights Political cartoons Solution to Nothing Herb Block March 2, 1954 Sportsmen! Kids! Maniacs! Herb Block November 27, 1963 (source record) You Don’t Even Need to Limit Yourself to a Few People Herb Block December 29, 1964 (source record) Don’t Point That Thing at Me! Herb Block March 10, 1965 (source record) It’s like the gun lobby guys…

World Spotlight: Great Britain & the United Kingdom

World Spotlight: Great Britain & the United Kingdom

Great Britain—England, Scotland, and Wales—was established in 1707. Around a century later, together Great Britain and Ireland formed the United Kingdom though, today, only Northern Ireland remains part of the UK. The Library of Congress uses Great Britain in both descriptive and subject cataloging as the conventional form for the United Kingdom. Learning about Great Britain can…

Today in History: War of 1812

Today in History: War of 1812

Today in History–June 18–the Library of Congress features the War of 1812. On this date in 1812 President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. Reasons for the war included frustration with Britain’s maritime practices and their support of Native American resistance to western expansion as well as a desire to conquer Canada. The war lingered on…

Today in History: Fort Necessity & the French and Indian War

Today in History: Fort Necessity & the French and Indian War

Today in History–June 4–the Library of Congress features Fort Necessity near Uniontown, Pennsylvania. On this date in 1754, the young Colonel George Washington and his troops were hard at work constructing the makeshift stronghold to protect themselves from French aggression. Less than a month later, however, Washington and his troops were surrounded and forced to surrender to French troops on…

Today in History: Preliminary Articles of Peace Ratified

Today in History: Preliminary Articles of Peace Ratified

Today in History–April 15–the Library of Congress features the Continental Congress ratification of the preliminary articles of peace  with Great Britain on this date in 1783. Negotiations to conclude the Revolutionary War had begun a year earlier. “International intrigue and intense negotiation preceded the formulation of these preliminary articles.” The final, formal treaty was signed on September 3, 1783…

Today in History: Lusitania Lost

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…

Today in History: Paris Peace Conference

Today in History: Paris Peace Conference

Today in History–January 18–the Library of Congress features the Paris Peace Conference, begun on this day in 1919. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Premier Georges Clemenceau, and Italian Premier Vittorio Orlando—became known as the big four for their role in settling issues stemming from World War I. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and the clicking 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….