Learning from the Source: Presidential Portraits

Learning from the Source: Presidential Portraits

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are two of the most famous U.S. presidents. This project helps students to learn about these presidents through the lens of both primary and secondary sources. Students will also investigate different types of primary sources, learn how portraits are created to convey information, and consider their own presidential potential. To…

Today in History: Stephen A. Douglas

Today in History: Stephen A. Douglas

Today in History–April 23–the Library of Congress features Stephen A. Douglas, born on this day in 1813. This politician, known as the “little giant”,  served as a U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate. Find out more about the man who went toe to toe with Abraham Lincoln by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about…

Primary Source Learning: America’s Library

Primary Source Learning: America’s Library

The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides an overview of the resources found in America’s Library and some great teaching ideas for using the website with younger students or older English language learners. For more involved projects, click the links below to access two primary source projects using America’s Library resources from TPS-Barat….

Featured Source: A Cleverer Crow

Pughe, J. S. “He won’t let go. A cleverer crow than the bird of Aesop’s fable.” 1908 May 13. Summary: In 1908, William Jennings Bryan was recommended by party members as the Democratic presidential nominee. Although very popular in the south and the west, many eastern Democrats opposed his nomination, citing both his two previous losses (1896…

Today in History: Uniform Presidential Election Day

Today in History: Uniform Presidential Election Day

Today in History–November 4–the Library of Congress features the passage of legislation on this day in 1845 requiring a uniform election day for President of the United States on the: “Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November of the year in which they are to be appointed.” The 1848 election was the first…

Today in History: Political Debates

Today in History: Political Debates

Today in History–October 21–the Library of Congress features political debates, highlighting the final round of the Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate which was televised on this day in 1960. Learn more about these “Great Debates“, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and the role of radio in presidential debates and addresses of the 1920s and 1930s by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below…

Today in History: The White House

Today in History: The White House

Today in History–October 13–the Library of Congress features the White House, celebrating the date in 1792 when the first cornerstone was laid.  Learn more about the Executive mansion by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about the United States presidential home. White House Expense List, Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1809…