Today in History–April 22–the Library of Congress features Earth Day, first celebrated on this day in 1970. Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to raise public consciousness about air and water pollution. It is estimated that 20 million people nationwide attended events on the first Earth Day. Learn…
Today in History–April 18–TPS-Barat Primary Source Nexus features legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow, born on this day in 1857. Darrow first gained notoriety as a labor lawyer defending union leaders in Chicago. He later went on to become one of the most well-known and well-respected criminal defense attorneys in the United States. Darrow is particularly remembered…
Today in History–April 15–the Library of Congress features tax day, the day on which income taxes are usually due each year. Although the United States raised revenue through taxes from the beginning—early taxes were levied on whiskey and tobacco—income tax was first levied from 1862-1872. It was again instituted in 1894 for a year before the Supreme…
Today in History–April 8–the Library of Congress features the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was funded by the the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved on this day in 1935. This national works program, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in…
Today in History–April 2–the Library of Congress features the attack of Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia on this day in 1865. Led by U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant, the battle lasted less than a day and helped hasten the capture of Richmond about a month later. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…
Today in History–April 1–the Library of Congress features April Fools’ Day. Although the origins of this fun-filled holiday are unclear, it’s a great chance to play harmless jokes on friend. In France the fooled person is called poisson d’avril (“April fish”) and in Scotland the person is called a gowk (cuckoo), the symbol of a simpleton. Find more…
Today in History–March 25–the Library of Congress features Maryland. On this date the state celebrates the 1634 arrival of the first colonists to the land chartered to Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. One of the original 13 colonies, today Maryland is known as the “free” state. Learn more about this state on the Eastern seaboard by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the…
![[Cut of broom] To sweep the Augean Stable](https://primarysourcenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/johncalhoun.jpg)
Today in History–March 18–the Library of Congress features politician John C. Calhoun, born on this date in 1782. Calhoun served as a congressman, senator, secretary of war, secretary of state, and vice president of the United States but may be best known for his defense of slavery, particularly in relation to the Nullification Proclamation and the Compromise of 1850. Learn…
Today in History–March 11–the Library of Congress features General William T. Sherman, who destroyed the Confederate arsenal upon capturing the town of Fayetteville, North Carolina, on this date in 1865. Just about one month later, the Confederacy surrendered, ending the Civil War. Learn more about Sherman as well as war-time work carried out by women by visiting the Today in History section. For…
PSN primary source collections Chicago collections Chicago newspaper resources Chicago primary source sets Library blog posts Teaching resources Illinois primary source collections
Today in History–March 7–the Library of Congress features Senator Daniel Webster, who delivered his famous “Seventh of March” speech on this date in 1850. The speech advocated for sectional compromise on the issue of slavery and the legislation package now referred to as the Compromise of 1850. Learn more about this politician and the debate about slavery by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…
![Penn[sylvania] on the picket line-- 1917](https://primarysourcenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/womenresources.jpg)
Teaching resources Primary source sets Activists Artists Trailblazers Library collections Image sets Chronicling America Topic Guides: timelines & select newspaper articles Special presentations Online exhibitions Veterans History Project resources Library blog posts 4 Corners of the World Headlines & Heroes In Custodia Legis In the Muse Inside Adams Minerva’s Kaleidoscope Now See Hear! Picture This Teaching…