Today in History–July 18–the Library of Congress features baseball great Ty Cobb, who connected with his 4,000th career hit on this day in 1927. Find out more about this “Georgia peach” by visiting the Today in History section, then access more primary sources related to Ty Cobb and baseball. Ty Cobb image set Ty Cobb historical newspaper coverage Primary Source Spotlight: Baseball…
Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features Washington D.C. It’s designation as the United States capital city was assured on this date in 1790 with the signing of the Residence Act. Learn more about the planning of this singular city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Primary source…
Home on the Range (.mp3) Today in History–July 14–the Library of Congress features novelist Owen Wister, born on this day in 1860, whose 1902 novel The Virginian helped create the myth of the American cowboy. Click on the image above to zoom into key scenes from the novel highlighted on this literary map, then visit the Today in History section to learn…
Today in History–July 11–the Library of Congress features the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr that took place on this date in 1804 and resulted in the death of Hamilton. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to learn more about these two men and the once-legal…
Today in History–July 8–the Library of Congress features the Great Depression, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its lowest point on this day in 1932. During the Great Depression many families lost their homes because they could not pay their mortgages so they sought alternative forms of shelter. Groups of these makeshift houses were often…
Today in History–July 7–the Library of Congress features the Solomon Islands, which became an independent nation on this day in 1978. Learn more about this far-out place by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more related resources. Solomon Islands background information Places in the News Solomon Islands country profile BBC Solomon Islands timeline BBC…
Today in History–July 5–the Library of Congress features Phineas Taylor Barnum, born on this day in 1810. Did you know that Barnum and Bailey’s circus pigs were trained to play the xylophone? Uncover more curious curiosities by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to grab more circus primary source goodies. Phineas Taylor Barnum Was Born from…
Today in History–July 1–the Library of Congress features postage stamps. On July 1, 1847, the United States Post Office issued a five-cent stamp honoring Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster general under the Continental Congress, and a ten-cent stamp honoring George Washington. Philatelists and the just plain curious can find more tantalizing tidbits by visiting the Today in History section, and clicking the…
Today in History–June 28–the Library of Congress features World War I. Two events bracketing this global conflict happened on June 28. The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sofia in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, set off a chain of events leading to the first world war. Five years later, on June 28, 1919, Germany and…
Today in History–June 27–the Library of Congress features the multifaceted artist Paul Laurence Dunbar, born on this day in 1872. Dunbar produced a lot in his short life–he died at age 33–achieving international acclaim as a poet, short story writer, novelist, dramatist, and lyricist. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to…
Today in History–June 24–the Library of Congress features Siam, now Thailand. On this day in 1932 a coup brought 700 years of absolute rule under a series of Siamese kings to an end. Visit the Today in History section to get more historical tidbits about the history of the monarchy and the World’s Transportation Commission, which visited in 1898…
Today in History–June 23–the Library of Congress features renowned choreographer Bob Fosse, born on this day in 1927. It seems Fosse was born into the business since his father worked in vaudeville. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources about Fosse, dance, and vaudeville. Robert “Bob”…