Today in History–December 16–the Library of Congress features the Battle of Nashville, won by Union forces on this day in 1864. Learn more about the battle by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the history and culture of Tennessee’s “Music City” through this collection of primary sources. Battle of Nashville:…
Today in History–December 15–the Library of Congress features the Bill of Rights, ratified on this day in 1791. Did you know that, originally, 12 amendments were proposed? The original first amendment dealt with the number of people each congressional district should have and the second with congressional pay; neither was ratified but the latter did become…
Today in History–December 14–the Library of Congress features George Washington, who died on this date in 1799 at his Mount Vernon home. Learn more about our nation’s first president (1789-97) by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about the death of this founding father. George Washington Died at His…
Today in History–December 13–the Library of Congress features Dartmouth College, which obtained a royal charter on this day in 1769. One of the oldest colleges in the United States, this New Hampshire institution began humbly but is now considered one of the country’s top universities. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links to find more Dartmouth…
Today in History–December 12–the Library of Congress features Pennsylvania, which became the second state to ratify the U.S Constitution on this day in 1787, though it was not a unanimous decision. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture and history of Pennsylvania through…
Today in History–December 9–the Library of Congress features Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche, who died on this date in 1971. This trailblazing U.S. diplomat took over as mediator of the Palestine mission in 1948 and successfully negotiated an end to the first Arab-Israeli War the following year. In addition to his work with the United Nations, Bunche served as…
Today in History–December 8–the Library of Congress features Louisiana, which ratified a new state constitution on this day in 1879, reorganizing the state judiciary and moving the state capital from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Did you know that Louisianians revised and passed new constitutions ten times from 1812-1921. Find out more about the history and culture of the…
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…