The Minerva’s Kaleidoscope blog highlights several influential women who appear in the picture book, Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers, by Guatemalan-American author, illustrator, and teacher Juliet Menéndez. Hear from Menéndez and learn more about Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Teresa Carreño, Frida Kahlo, Celia Cruz, Sonia Sotomayor, Sandra Cisneros, and a couple more inspiring…
Today in History–July 10–the Library of Congress features jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton, who died on this day in 1941. Born Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe in New Orleans, Louisiana, Morton billed himself as “Jelly Roll” while playing minstrel and vaudeville shows. In addition to jazz, Morton also played ragtime, blues and spirituals. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to…
Today in History–April 29–the Library of Congress features jazz great Duke Ellington, born on this date in 1899. Ellington started to play piano at age 7 and wrote his first song–Soda Fountain Rag–at age 15. By his late teens, he was earning enough money to help his parents move into a better house. Ellington’s musical versatility was astounding and…
