Today in History: Jefferson Davis | Citizen U Primary Source Nexus

Today in History–November 6–the Library of Congress features Jefferson Davis, elected president of the Confederate States of America on this day in 1861. Davis was a celebrated veteran of the Mexican War and served as secretary of war under Franklin Pierce. As a U.S. senator, Davis worked to keep the Union in tact but when his home state of Mississippi seceded, Davis threw in his lot with the Confederacy. Learn more about this southern leader by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access all types of primary sources related to Jefferson Davis and the Civil War.