Today in History–July 30–the Library of Congress features automobile magnate Henry Ford, born on this date in 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan. When incorporating his company in 1903, Ford proclaimed, “I will build a car for the great multitude.” Ford made good on that proclamation, selling more than 15 million Model T cars in the United States alone. Learn more about the…
Today in History–July 29–the Library of Congress features the country of Japan. On this date in 1858, the United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (the Harris Treaty), which helped establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. Find out more about early U.S.-Japanese relations and Townsend Harris, the man who negotiated the treaty, by…
Country Study: Commonwealth of Caribbean Islands, including The Bahamas Bahamas primary source set, World Digital Library Bahamas maps Books about The Bahamas Bahamas songs (audio recordings) Bahamas historic newspaper coverage Bahamas images from American Memory More Bahamas images U.S. legislation related to Bahamas Guide to Law Online: Bahamas Comparing Independence Movements in the Americas Webcast More World History & Culture Resources
Today in History–July 23–the Library of Congress features Roman Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons, born on this date in 1834 in Pennsylvania. The second U.S. cardinal, Gibbons was a supporter of child labor reform and advocate of the separation of church and state. Learn more about this proactive priest and his journeys to and in the United States by visiting the Today in History section,…
Today in History–July 22–the Library of Congress features artist Alexander Calder, born on this date in 1898 in Pennsylvania. Calder’s mother was a painter and his father was a sculptor but Alexander began his career as a mechanical engineer. That early career choice served him well as an artist later when creating his first motor-driven sculptures, later…
Today in History–July 18–the Library of Congress features naval officer John Paul Jones, who died on this date in 1792 in obscurity in France. Born John Paul, this seaman added the name Jones after killing a man in what he said was self defense in the West Indies. Jones went on to serve successfully in the U.S….
Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features photojournalist Walker Evans. On this date in 1936 Evans took a leave of absence from from the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to accept a summer assignment with Fortune magazine. Evans and writer James McGee worked together to document the lives of sharecropper families in Alabama, which would eventually be published in the book, Let…
Mexico country profile Mexico country study The Mexican Revolution and the United States 1910-1920 online exhibition Mexican primary sources from the World Digital Library Mexico maps Mexico images Mexico video recordings Mexico songs Mexico sheet music Mexican literary recordings Mexico books & documents Select newspaper articles: Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) More U.S. historical newspaper coverage of Mexico…
Today in History–July 3–the Library of Congress features theater maestro George M. Cohan, born on this date in 1878. The multitalented Cohan was a playwright, songwriter, dancer, actor, theater owner, and producer. He also was awarded the Congressional medal of honor for his World War I song “Over There“. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…
Today in History–July 1–the Library of Congress features the rough riders. On this day in 1898 these voluntary cavalrymen, led by Theodore Roosevelt, helped to secure a U.S. victory in the Battle of Santiago, the decisive battle of the short-lived Spanish-American War. The rough riders stormed Kettle Hill, then joined in the capture of the San Juan Hill complex in…
Today in History–June 26–the Library of Congress features the Dominican Republic. On this day in 1924, U.S. troops pulled out after 8 years of occupying the Caribbean nation. Learn more about the island nation’s road to independence by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources related to the Dominican Republic. Country Study: Dominican Republic Dominican Republic country…
Today in History–June 24–the Library of Congress features the dawn of the space age. On this date in 1961, the public learned of President John F. Kennedy‘s letter assigning Vice President Lyndon Johnson to coordinate the U.S. satellite programs. Under Johnson, the National Space Council recommended that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provide policy coordination with all government…