Today in History–March 4–the Library of Congress features Idaho. On this date in 1863 President Lincoln signed an act creating Idaho Territory. The area burgeoned and was admitted to the Union as a state in 1890. Learn more about this gem of a state by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to thousands of primary sources related to…
Today in History–February 27–the Library of Congress features poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born on this date in 1807 in Portland, Maine. Longfellow was considered a “new poet” in his day and was very popular both in the United States and abroad. Learn more about this artist and scholar by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Was Born from…
Today in History–February 26–the Library of Congress features the Grand Canyon. On this date in 1919 Congress established Grand Canyon National Park in the state of Arizona. Learn more about this magnificent place, considered by many to be one of the earth’s most spectacular natural wonders, by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below. Primary sources The physical geology…
Today in History–February 25–the Library of Congress features the British surrender of Fort Sackville at Vincennes, Indiana on this date in 1779. Despite a 1763 prohibition against western settlement, colonists had continued to travel to Indiana and other areas west of the Appalachians. Learn more about the defense of Fort Sackville by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links…
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Today in History–February 19–the Library of Congress features Columbus, Georgia. On this date in 1917, future literary star Carson McCullers was born. Learn more about the city that influenced author Carson McCullers writing by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to thousands of primary sources related to the city of Columbus and the state of Georgia. Carson McCullers…
Today in History–February 18–the Library of Congress features Charleston, South Carolina, which surrendered control to Union forces on this date in 1865. Learn more about this southern city that played a leading role in the events leading up to the Civil War by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to numerous related primary sources. Charleston maps Charleston images Charleston…
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Today in History–February 12–the Library of Congress features painter Thomas Moran, born on this date in 1837. In 1871 Moran joined a scientific exploration of lands along the Yellowstone River headed by Ferdinand V. Hayden. Moran’s paintings, together with photographer William Henry Jackson’s photographs, helped spur public interest in the area and convince Congress to set aside the Yellowstone area as a…
Today in History–February 11–the Library of Congress features anarchist and feminist Emma Goldman, who was arrested on this date in 1916 right before she was to give a lecture on family planning. A Russian immigrant, Goldman joined the labor movement after working in a New York garment factory. Later she would embrace anarchism–the political belief that all…
Today in History–February 8–the Library of Congress features the controversial silent film, The Birth of a Nation, which premiered on this day in 1915. Although the film advanced the art of cinema, it did so by telling a story with a skewed, racist vision of U.S. history. Protested by many, the film was ultimately a great commercial success….
Today in History–February 6–the Library of Congress features the Franco-American alliance, solidified on this date in 1778 when France and the United States signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. The former recognized the United States as an independent nation and promoted trade between the two countries and the latter created a military alliance against Great Britain…