Teaching Now: Using Primary Sources with 21st-Century Learners

Teaching Now: Using Primary Sources with 21st-Century Learners

This is a guest post from veteran teacher Heather Klos, an 8th grade U.S. history teacher and the Social Studies department chair at Crownover Middle School in Corinth, Texas. As an early American history teacher, I know it is important to use primary sources effectively with my 8th grade students.  Analyzing primary sources can be very difficult…

Primary Source Spotlight: Shirley Chisholm

Primary Source Spotlight: Shirley Chisholm

U.S. legislation Sponsored or Cosponsored by Representative Shirley Chisholm 1969-1983 U.S. legislation related to Representative Shirley Chisholm 1984 to present Shirley Chisholm image set Audio & video recordings related to Shirley Chisholm American Archive of Public Broadcasting Shirley Chisholm speech at Howard University April 21, 1969 American RadioWorks Aaron Dixon civil rights oral history transcript discussing Shirley…

Collections Spotlight: National Press Club Luncheon Speeches 1954-1989

Collections Spotlight: National Press Club Luncheon Speeches 1954-1989

The National Press Club, with more than a century of history behind it, is known for its luncheon gatherings that have featured U.S. presidents, visiting world leaders, and other prominent persons to address the media members and answer questions about current affairs. Now, with the collection Food for Thought: Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Other National Press Club Luncheon Speakers,…

Primary Source Spotlight: Frances Willard & the WCTU

Primary Source Spotlight: Frances Willard & the WCTU

The Do-Everything Policy by Frances Willard primary source analysis activity Correspondence, speeches, & other texts by Frances Willard Texts about Frances Willard How Racism Tainted Women’s Fight to Vote (1894 showdown between anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and temperance leader Frances E. Willard) The Root March 25 2011 Frances Willard temperance: historic newspaper coverage Frances Willard image set Causes: The Woman’s…

Presidential Spotlight: Barack Obama

Presidential Spotlight: Barack Obama

Barack Obama first inauguration primary source set January 20, 2009 Barack Obama second inauguration primary source set January 21, 2013 President-Elect Obama To Take Oath of Office on Lincoln-Inaugural Bible News from the Library of Congress December 23, 2008 The Lincoln Bible used by Barack Obama at his first inauguration The Book Lincoln and Obama Have In Common video…

Primary Source Spotlight: Albert Einstein

Primary Source Spotlight: Albert Einstein

Library of Congress blog posts Einstein at 100: Mapping the Universe Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps December 2, 2015 Einstein’s Folklore December 18, 2013 Folklife Today Celebrate Einstein’s Birthday with Pi March 14, 2011 Inside Adams Albert Einstein background & primary sources Nobel Media “Albert Einstein lived here” April 19, 1955 political cartoon by Herb Block (scroll down page to read curator’s…

Presidential Spotlight: Benjamin Harrison

Presidential Spotlight: Benjamin Harrison

Term: 23rd President of the United States (1889–1893) Born: August 20, 1833, North Bend, Ohio Nickname: “Kid Gloves Harrison,” “Little Ben” Education: Miami University (Ohio), graduated 1852 Religion: Presbyterian Marriage: October 20, 1853, to Caroline Lavinia Scott (1832–1892) April 6, 1896, to Mary Scott Lord Dimmick (1858–1948) Children: Russell Benjamin (1854–1936), Mary Scott (1858–1930), Elizabeth…

Primary Source Spotlight: League of Nations

Primary Source Spotlight: League of Nations

Topics in Chronicling America – League of Nations More League of Nations historical newspaper coverage League of Nations texts, including address transcripts 1916-1929 Speeches about the League of Nations audio recordings and transcripts The League of Nations: A Pictoral Survey 1925-28 League of Nations mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection League of Nations sheet music World War I:…

Today in History: Fourteenth Amendment

Today in History: Fourteenth Amendment

Today in History–July 28–the Library of Congress features the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. On this date in 1868, Secretary of State William Seward issued a proclamation certifying the ratification of the amendment. The 14th amendment granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States”, including former slaves freed…

Today in History: Texas Annexation

Today in History: Texas Annexation

Today in History–June 23–the Library of Congress features the vote for annexation of Texas by the United States on this date in 1845. Texas had tried for statehood back in 1836 after gaining independence from Mexico but the U.S. Congress was unwilling to admit another state that permitted slavery. But by December 29, 1845, Texas became the twenty-eighth state in the…