Today in History–July 11–the Library of Congress features the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that took place on this date in 1804 and resulted in the death of Hamilton. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to learn more about these two men and the once-legal…
The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog highlighted the Radium Dance song sheet cover and gave some great science-related teaching ideas for using the Chronicling America historical newspaper collection to make historical connections to the Curie discovery of radium and early popular uses for this chemical element. Another idea would be to have students…
Today in History–July 8–the Library of Congress features the Great Depression, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its lowest point on this day in 1932. During the Great Depression many families lost their homes because they could not pay their mortgages so they sought alternative forms of shelter. Groups of these makeshift houses were often…
Today in History–July 7–the Library of Congress features the Solomon Islands, which became an independent nation on this day in 1978. Learn more about this far-out place by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more related resources. Solomon Islands background information Places in the News Solomon Islands country profile BBC Solomon Islands timeline BBC…
Today in History–July 5–the Library of Congress features Phineas Taylor Barnum, born on this day in 1810. Did you know that Barnum and Bailey’s circus pigs were trained to play the xylophone? Uncover more curious curiosities by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to grab more circus primary source goodies. Phineas Taylor Barnum Was Born from…
Today in History–July 1–the Library of Congress features postage stamps. On July 1, 1847, the United States Post Office issued a five-cent stamp honoring Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster general under the Continental Congress, and a ten-cent stamp honoring George Washington. Philatelists and the just plain curious can find more tantalizing tidbits by visiting the Today in History section, and clicking the…
Today in History–June 28–the Library of Congress features World War I. Two events bracketing this global conflict happened on June 28. The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sofia in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, set off a chain of events leading to the first world war. Five years later, on June 28, 1919, Germany and…
Today in History–June 27–the Library of Congress features the multifaceted artist Paul Laurence Dunbar, born on this day in 1872. Dunbar produced a lot in his short life–he died at age 33–achieving international acclaim as a poet, short story writer, novelist, dramatist, and lyricist. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to…
Have students collaborate to compare U.S. newspaper coverage of the Battle of Little Bighorn with eyewitness accounts from Native Americans who were there. Ask them to compare descriptions of the battle as well as characterizations of opposing forces. Remind students to look for and note differences in tone, particularly as defined by word choice. You…
Today in History–June 24–the Library of Congress features Siam, now Thailand. On this day in 1932 a coup brought 700 years of absolute rule under a series of Siamese kings to an end. Visit the Today in History section to get more historical tidbits about the history of the monarchy and the World’s Transportation Commission, which visited in 1898…
Today in History–June 23–the Library of Congress features renowned choreographer Bob Fosse, born on this day in 1927. It seems Fosse was born into the business since his father worked in vaudeville. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources about Fosse, dance, and vaudeville. Robert “Bob”…
Today in History–June 22–the Library of Congress features Harry Houdini, king of handcuffs. Houdini married on this date in 1894 and never once attempted to escape from his wife Beatrice. Did you also know that before Google was a verb, Houdini was? Get more amazing information by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below…