Today in History: San Diego, California

Today in History: San Diego, California

Today in History–September 28–the Library of Congress features San Diego, California. On this date in 1542 Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag. Learn about the evolution of this southern California city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay…

Featured Source: Aztec Tonalpohualli Calendar

Featured Source: Aztec Tonalpohualli Calendar

Description The Tovar Codex, attributed to the 16th-century Mexican Jesuit Juan de Tovar, contains detailed information about the rites and ceremonies of the Aztecs (also known as Mexica). The codex is illustrated with 51 full-page paintings in watercolor. Strongly influenced by pre-contact pictographic manuscripts, the paintings are of exceptional artistic quality. The manuscript is divided…

Primary Source Spotlight: Immigration

Primary Source Spotlight: Immigration

Primary source sets Immigration: Challenges for New Americans (includes teacher guide) Mexican American Migrations and Communities (includes teacher guide) Immigration primary source iBook Immigration images Immigrants images The Emigrant’s Guide by William Cobbett 1830 Advice and Guide to Emigrants by Patrick O’Kelly 1834 More immigration books & texts Historical newspaper coverage: immigration problem Historical newspaper coverage: immigration benefits Immigration…

Primary Source Spotlight: New Year’s

Primary Source Spotlight: New Year’s

New Year images The day after short film New Year song recordings New Year sheet music New Year books & other texts New Year’s books & articles New Year’s Eve historical newspaper coverage New Year’s Day historical newspaper coverage Select historical newspaper articles: Mummer’s New Year Parade (modern-day Mummer’s Parade info) Library New Year’s blog…

Today in History: Straits of Magellan

Today in History: Straits of Magellan

Today in History–November 28–the Library of Congress features the Straits of Magellan. On this day in 1520, three ships under the command of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sailed into the “Sea of the South”. The fleet reached the island of Guam just four months later thanks to a remarkably smooth voyage that led the explorers to…