Today in History: U.S. Virgin Islands

Today in History: U.S. Virgin Islands

Today in History–March 31–the Library of Congress features the U.S. Virgin Islands. On this date in 1917, the United States took formal possession of the Danish West Indies, renaming them the Virgin Islands. The U.S. purchased the islands from Denmark for $25 million because of their strategic location near the Panama Canal. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section,…

State Spotlight: Massachusetts

State Spotlight: Massachusetts

Massachusetts primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Massachusetts maps Pictorial Americana: Selected images of Massachusetts More Massachusetts images The Mohawk Trail Region primary source set Photographs of the sea floor of western Massachusetts Bay July 1999 Films and event recordings related to Massachusetts Massachusetts oral histories Massachusetts song recordings Massachusetts sheet music Song sheets related to Massachusetts Massachusetts books &…

City Spotlight: Boston, Massachusetts

City Spotlight: Boston, Massachusetts

Boston maps Boston images Boston Marathon bombing trial courtroom sketch Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass 1904 film TR attends his son Archie’s wedding at Boston 1917 film Boston related books & articles Boston related correspondence, reports, printed ephemera & other texts Boston sheet music The Boston Burglar song lyrics Boston song recordings The Boston Courant newspaper,…

Today in History: Washington’s Continental Congress Correspondence

Today in History: Washington’s Continental Congress Correspondence

Today in History–March 24–the Library of Congress features a letter George Washington wrote to the Continental Congress on this date in 1776, one week after British troops evacuated Boston but remained nearby. In the letter General Washington expressed his surprise and disappointment at the situation and went on to describe the exploits of the British in the area….

State Spotlight: New York

State Spotlight: New York

New York state primary source set with teacher’s guide New York state resource guide New York state maps Greater New York Illustrated (1899) Pictorial Americana: Selected images of New York state New York state images New York state books & articles New York historical newspapers New York state reports, printed ephemera, correspondence & other texts New York…

City Spotlight: New York City

City Spotlight: New York City

New York City maps Featured Image: Outside watch shop Greater New York Illustrated: Over one hundred and fifty photographic views of the foremost city of the western hemisphere (1898) More New York City images New York City historical newspapers More New York City historical newspapers Chronicling America New York City Race Riot: timeline, background, select newspaper articles Triangle…

Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day

Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day

Today in History–March 17–the Library of Congress features St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorates the death of the patron saint of Ireland who, as legend has it, died on this date circa 492. The holiday has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century. Across the country today, many people celebrate with parades and…

Today in History: Sutro Baths & Cliff House

Today in History: Sutro Baths & Cliff House

Today in History–March 14–the Library of Congress features the official opening of the Sutro Baths on this date in 1896. The Sutro Baths was an extravagant public bathhouse just north of Cliff House, another popular San Francisco attraction also owned by a former city mayor, Adolph Sutro. Learn more about these baths by the sea by visiting the Today in History section, then following the…

Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell

Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell

Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell’s knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help…

Today in History: Lincoln’s Inauguration

Today in History: Lincoln’s Inauguration

Today in History–March 4–the Library of Congress features the first inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln, conducted  on this date in 1861. Times were tense  and Lincoln delivered his inaugural address under the guard of riflemen. In the speech he called for compromise and appealed for the preservation of the Union. Learn more about President Lincoln’s first day in office by…