The first picket line - College day in the picket line line

Today in History: Picketing for Suffrage

Today in History–August 28–the Library of Congress features the arrest of 10 suffragists for picketing the White House on this day in 1917. The protestors hoped to pressure President Woodrow Wilson to support the proposed “Anthony amendment” to the Constitution that would guarantee women the right to vote. He finally did that in January of 1918 and the long…

Yellow Fever National Relief Commission

Today in History: Yellow Fever

Today in History–August 27–the Library of Congress features the discovery that mosquitos transmit yellow fever by U.S. Army physician James Carroll and pathologist Walter Reed on this day in 1900. The discovery was made because Carroll allowed allowed an infected mosquito to feed on him, resulting in severe yellow fever sickness. Learn more about yellow fever by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Farragut's grand march
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Today in History: Union Captures Fort Morgan

Today in History–August 23–the Library of Congress features the capture of Fort Morgan, Alabama by the Union navy on this day in 1864. Earlier in the month (August 5), when Admiral David Farragut was warned of mines (referred to as torpedoes) in Mobile Bay, he reportedly replied, “Damn the torpedoes!” and ordered the ship to continue its course. Although the…

Eight hour strike

Today in History: Eight-Hour Work Day

Today in History–August 20–the Library of Congress features the eight-hour work day, which the National Labor Union advocated Congress for on this day in 1866. Although the National Labor Union congressional efforts failed, they were able to heighten public awareness of labor issues and increase support for labor reform in the subsequent decades.  Learn more by visiting…

Mt. Hood from the Columbia River

Today in History: Oregon

Today in History–August 14–the Library of Congress features Oregon, which Congress named a territory on this day in 1848. The territory was massive, encompassing present-day Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and parts of western Montana and Wyoming. The smaller state of Oregon joined the union in 1859. Learn more about Oregon by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary sources. Oregon stories from…

Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill on portico of Russian Embassy in Teheran

Today in History: Memo from Stalin

Today in History–August 13–the Library of Congress features a memo from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, written on this day in 1942. Stalin drafted the memorandum to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt opposing their decision not to invade Western Europe.  Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access resources…

Statue of American Revolutionary War Major General Nathanael Greene

Today in History: Nathanael Greene

Today in History–August 7–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, born on this day in 1742. A West Point commander, Green replaced the disgraced Benedict Arnold and played a significant part in the defeat of British General Lord Cornwallis at Cowpens, South Carolina.  Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…

The first sight of the new world - Columbus discovering America

Today in History: Christopher Columbus

Today in History–August 3–the Library of Congress features Christopher Columbus, who set sail for what would later be known as the new world on this day in 1492. Columbus had the most modern maritime tools on his ship, including a mariner’s compass, an astrolabe, a cross-staff, and a quadrant and, quite possibly, the popular mariner map Ptolemy’s Geography or Cosmography. A little…

Georgetown University. Healy Hall

Today in History: Patrick Francis Healy & Georgetown University

Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Georgetown University, which inaugurated Patrick Francis Healy as President on this day in 1874. Healy was the son of an Irish-immigrant planter and a mulatto slave and is credited with transforming Georgetown from a small school into a modern university. Find out more about Healy and the university founded by John Carroll in…