Today in History: Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles as it appeared in 1871

Today in History–September 04–the Library of Congress features El Pueblo de la Reyna de Los Angeles (The Town of the Queen of the Angels) founded on this day in 1781. Located between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles remained independent until it was taken in a bloodless effort by U.S. forces during the Mexican American War. Originally focused on agriculture, Los Angeles is now known as a center for tourism and the entertainment industry as well as trade, transportation, manufacturing, , finance and banking. Learn more about this southern California city by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more Los Angeles primary sources.

Los Angeles Mapped online exhibition

More Los Angeles maps

The Los Angeles Oil Boom Through Maps Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps July 25, 2019

Los Angeles images

L.A. History: A Mexican Perspective National History Museum Los Angeles County

South Spring Street, Los Angeles 1898 film

Building a harbor at San Pedro 1901 film

Los Angeles – California As I Saw It: First-Person Narratives of California’s Early Years 1849-1900

Performing arts collection items related to Los Angeles

Los Angeles reports, correspondence & other texts

Los Angeles books

Los Angeles historic newspapers

Los Angeles Times Bombing (1910): Timeline, background information, select newspaper articles

U.S. legislation related to Los Angeles

State Spotlight: California primary source collections

More City Spotlight primary source collections