Primary Source Spotlight: Carrie Chapman Catt

Primary Source Spotlight: Carrie Chapman Catt

Carrie Chapman Catt Papers Woman’s Suffrage by Constitutional Amendment compiled by Carrie Chapman Catt Carrie Chapman Catt mentions in the Leslie Woman Suffrage Commission report Carrie Chapman Catt’s Winning Plan National American Woman Suffrage Association. Headquarters News Letter, vol. 2, no. 8, August 15, 1916 More printed ephemera related to Carrie Chapman Catt Carrie Chapman Catt:…

Today in History: Clara Barton & the Red Cross

Today in History: Clara Barton & the Red Cross

Today in History–May 21–TPS-Barat features Clarissa “Clara” Barton, who founded the Red Cross on this date in 1881. A former teacher, Barton was working in the U.S. patent office at the start of the Civil War. Despite having little nursing training, Barton administered aid to soldiers at several battlefields. After the war she established the…

Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell

Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell

Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell’s knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help…

Today in History: Electricity

Today in History: Electricity

Today in History–September 30–the Library of Congress features electricity. On this day in 1882, the first hydroelectric central station in the world began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.  This and other hydroelectric plants provided inexpensive electricity, spurring industrial growth in many regions of the country around the turn of the 20th century. Find out…

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today in History–January 15–the Library of Congress features civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. King entered Morehouse College at 15, received a bachelor of divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D from Boston University in 1955. Armed with his doctorate and belief in the use of non-violent action to…

Today in History: Wright Brothers’ First Flight

Today in History: Wright Brothers’ First Flight

Today in History–December 17–the Library of Congress features the first flights of the Wright brothers, flown on this day in 1903. Orville piloted the first flight that lasted 12 seconds and 120 feet and Wilbur piloted the fourth and final flight, remaining airborne for 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Today in History: Jackie Robinson

Today in History: Jackie Robinson

Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features baseball great Jackie Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the second game of the 1972 World Series game on this day. The game also featured a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of breaking the color line, which Jackson did in 1947 when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He finished…

Today in History: Frederick Douglass

Today in History: Frederick Douglass

Today in History–September 03–the Library of Congress features the escape from slavery of Frederick Douglass on this day in 1838. Born into slavery, Douglass became a renowned abolitionist, journalist, author, and human rights advocate. Learn more about this remarkable man who never ceased advocating for freedom by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources and primary source learning…

Today in History: First Telegraphic Message Sent

Today in History: First Telegraphic Message Sent

Today in History–May 24–the Library of Congress features the first telegraphic message, sent on this day in 1844 by Samuel F. B. Morse. This invention opened up a whole new era in communications. Learn more about Morse the inventor, Morse the painter, and the telegraph by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access numerous related primary…

Today in History: Thomas Jefferson

Today in History: Thomas Jefferson

Today in History–April 13–the Library of Congress features Thomas Jefferson, born on this day in 1743.  (Actually, he was born on April 2 under the Julian calendar but when Great Britain and its colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 his birthday, along with everyone else’s, was shifted 11 days forward.) Find out more about this multitalented man…

Today in History: Susan B. Anthony

Today in History: Susan B. Anthony

Today in History–March 8–the Library of Congress features Susan B. Anthony, who addressed Congress on the right of women to vote on this day in 1884. It was the sixteenth time woman suffrage supporters appeared before Congress but it would take decades more until women finally earned the constitutional right to vote. Learn more by visiting the Today in…