Today in History–September 27–the Library of Congress features Juan Ponce de León, who was granted permission to settle Bimini Island and Florida on this day in 1514. Seven years later, in 1521, Ponce de León sailed from Puerto Rico to Florida with two ships, two hundred men, fifty horses, as well as other domestic animals and agricultural tools….
Today in History–September 26–the Library of Congress features Valley Forge. On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress was forced to flee when British troops marched into the city of Philadelphia. The Continental Army under General George Washington spent the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania while British troops held Philadelphia. Find out more about this difficult season…
Today in History–September 17–the Library of Congress features Battle of Antietam, fought on this day in 1862. The bloodiest battle in the Civil War—more than 23,000 killed, wounded or missing in action–was fought in the hills of Sharpsburg, Maryland. Although the Confederates occupied the town of Sharpsburg at nightfall, the battle was a Union victory. Find out more about Union…
Today in History–September 16–the Library of Congress features college football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, who announced his retirement at the age of 98 on this day in 1960. Stagg played football and baseball for Yale University before beginning his college coaching career, which included those two sports as well as basketball and track. Visit the Today in History section to learn…
Today in History–September 13–the Library of Congress features writer Sherwood Anderson, born on this day in 1876. Sherwood worked as a copywriter before gaining success for his poetry, short stories, and novels. Learn more about this midwest scribe by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources about Sherwood and other American writers. Sherwood…
Today in History–September 12–the Library of Congress features the Saint-Mihiel offensive, launched in France on this day in 1918. The offensive liberated a strategic area that Germany had held for four years. Just two months later, World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…
Today in History–September 11–the Library of Congress features soprano Jenny Lind, who made her American debut in New York City on this date in 1850. The concert was the first of a 93-stop American tour for the 19th-century singing sensation who sang opera as well as popular songs. Learn more about the “Swedish nightingale” by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features George Gershwin, who completed the orchestral score of the opera—Porgy and Bess—based on the DuBose Heyward novel on this date in 1935. The opera, like the novel, depicted the African-American Gullah culture of South Carolina. Learn more about this remarkable man and his collaborators on the internationally known opera by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…
Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features children’s television. On this date in 1950, ABC aired its first Saturday morning children’s television shows: Animal Clinic and the variety show Acrobat Ranch, which featured two young acrobats, Tumbling Tim and Flying Flo, and children competing in games and stunts. Learn more about children’s television as well as…
Today in History–August 15–the Library of Congress features Florence Kling Harding, born on this date in 1860. An ardent support of woman suffrage, Kling Harding was the first first lady to have the right to cast a ballot for her husband (Warren G.). Kling Harding was also an adept business woman and brought a professional identity to the…
Today in History–August 5–the Library of Congress features Julia Archibald Holmes, who summited Pikes Peak on this date in 1858. She did so wearing her “American costume” of a hat, moccasins, short dress, and bloomers, the latter leading to the moniker bloomer girl. Learn more about this adventurous lady and the famous Colorado mountain peak by visiting the Today in History section and…
Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Civil War General George H. Thomas, born on this date in 1816. Although he was born in Virginia, Thomas allied with the Union in the Civil War. Thomas’ 1863 defense of Chickamauga Creek in northwestern Georgia led to the moniker the “Rock of Chickamauga”. The following year he played a key role in the…