Today in History–February 6–the Library of Congress features the Franco-American alliance, solidified on this date in 1778 when France and the United States signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. The former recognized the United States as an independent nation and promoted trade between the two countries and the latter created a military alliance against Great Britain so long as America remained independent. Learn more by visting … [Read more...]
Today in History–January 14–the Library of Congress features the Treaty of Paris, ratified by the Continental Congress on this day in 1784, nine months after the preliminary articles of peace were approved and over four months after the actual treaty was signed in Paris. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related primary sources. You might also want to take a look at this Revolutionary War primary source set. Preliminary … [Read more...]
Today in History–September 19–the Library of Congress features the first battle of Saratoga. On this day in 1777, Continental soldiers under American General Horatio Gates defeated the British in Saratoga, New York. A month later, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his British troops at the same place. The American victories at Saratoga turned the tide of the war in favor of the colonists favor and helped persuade the French to recognize and support American independence. Learn … [Read more...]
Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the American Revolution. The story may be in digital or print form and could be nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even a song. Click on each thumbnail image below to access the full size primary source. You may also use this primary set for a found poetry activity (click the previous link). Be sure to take a look at other American revolution lesson plans (see below). For more primary source sets and other teaching and … [Read more...]
Today in History–August 7–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, born on this day in 1742. A West Point commander, Green replaced the disgraced Benedict Arnold and played a significant part in the defeat of British British General Lord Cornwallis at Cowpens, South Carolina. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Nathanael Greene image set Nathanael Greene … [Read more...]
Today in History–July 13–the Library of Congress features minuteman John Parker, born in Lexington, Massachusetts on this day in 1729. Find out more about the first shots in the U.S. war for independence and those who fought by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources and learning resources. Minutemen primary source set Minute men sheet music Learning from the Source: Minutemen & the Start of the … [Read more...]
Today in History–April 30–the Library of Congress features George Washington, who delivered his first inaugural address on this date in 1789 to a joint session of Congress, assembled in Federal Hall in the nation's new capital, New York City. Learn more about our nation’s first president (1789-97) by visiting Today in History (also see Feb. 22, Mar. 24, Apr. 30, Jun. 4, Aug. 4, Dec. 4, Dec. 14, Dec. 23) then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources … [Read more...]
Today in History–April 19–the Library of Congress features the song Yankee Doodle, which the colonials are said to have sung as they forced the British back to Boston on this day in 1775. Learn more about this song and the Lexington & Concord skirmishes by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access related primary sources. Yankee Doodle sheet music Yankee Doodle song recordings Yankee Doodle books & articles Yankee Doodle image … [Read more...]
Today in History–March 5–the Library of Congress features the Boston Massacre, which occurred on this day in 1770 when British soldiers shot into a crowd of colonists. This skirmish became a rallying point for American patriots, led by Samuel Adams. Learn more about the incident and one of the fatal victims, Crispus Attucks, by visiting the Today in History section, then clicking the links below. On the death of five young men who was murthered, March 5th, 1770. An account of a … [Read more...]
Today in History–February 22–the Library of Congress features George Washington, born on this day in 1732. Find out more about the Library of Congress resources related to our first president by reviewing the Today in History section, then check out the many links below. George Washington stories from America’s Library Timeline of George Washington’s life George Washington: Surveyor & Mapmaker George Washington as poet An Imperfect God: George Washington, His … [Read more...]
Library of Congress Magazine March/April 2013 Features Queen of the Movies Actress, producer, entrepreneur and superstar: Mary Pickford influenced the direction of American cinema from its early days. A Photo Dialogue A unique online partnership has brought historical photos to a broad audience, helped the Library solve curatorial mysteries and sparked thoughtful discussion. Supporting Congress [...]
Curator description: Bernard Brussel-Smith studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and the New School for Social Research in New York. During the 1940s and 1950s, Brussel-Smith established himself as America’s foremost wood engraver. In this scene from Hamlet, Polonius, chief minister of the evil King Claudius, gives advice to his [...]
Teaching with the Library of Congress
