Today in History–December 6–the Library of Congress features Salmon P. Chase, nominated as Supreme Court Chief Justice by President Abraham Lincoln on this day in 1864. Learn more about the architect of the first two clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment who also served as Governor of Ohio, a U.S. Senator, and Lincoln’s secretary of the treasury, by…
Today in History–December 5–the Library of Congress features Martin Van Buren, born on this date in 1782. Learn more about our nation’s 8th president (1837-41), also known as “The Little Magician” and the “Red Fox of Kinderhook” for his skill in political manipulation, by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary…
Today in History–December 2–the Library of Congress features nuclear fission. On this day in 1942 Enrico Fermi oversaw the first controlled nuclear fission chain reaction under the stands of the University of Chicago’s Stagg Field. Find out more about Fermi and other scientists working on the project by visiting the Today in History section as well as the links below. Nuclear fission historical newspaper…
Today in History–December 1–the Library of Congress features Rosa Parks, arrested for civil disobedience on this day in 1955. Find out more about this brave woman who helped spark the U.S. civil rights movement by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources and resources. Rosa Parks arrest photo Rosa Park’s recollections…
Today in History–November 29–the Library of Congress features the Alcott family. The family patriarch, educator Amos Bronson Alcott was born on this date in 1799. His second of four daughters, author Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832, also on November 29. Learn more about both father and daughter as well as other Alcott family members by visiting the Today in History section then click the…
Today in History–November 28–the Library of Congress features the first American automobile race, run on this day in 1895. Inventor J. Frank Duryea, battled snow and breakdowns to win the 54-mile race from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois in just over 10 hours. Learn more about early automobiles and the sport of auto racing by visiting…
Today in History–November 23–the Library of Congress features Franklin Pierce, born on this date in 1804. Learn more about our nation’s 14th president (1853-57) by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about Franklin Pierce. Franklin Pierce to Andrew Jackson, February 2, 1844 Democratic ticket. For President, Gen. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire. 1852…
Today in History–November 22–the Library of Congress features John F. Kennedy, assassinated on this day in 1963. Find out more about this tragic day in our nation’s history by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources and individual primary sources related to the 35th president of the United States. Primary sources Letter,…