Literature Links: The Great Gatsby & Primary Sources from the Roaring Twenties

Literature Links: The Great Gatsby & Primary Sources from the Roaring Twenties

This three-part lesson from the Library of Congress* provides students with insight into the historical context of the 1920s and helps them recognize how popular culture reflects the values, mores, and events of the time period as they synthesize fictional events and primary sources. In a culminating project, students create a newspaper containing multiple types…

Presidential Spotlight: Herbert Hoover

Presidential Spotlight: Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover brief bio Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover: American Famine relief Campaign song of Herbert Hoover 1829 presidential opponent Herbert Hoover 1930 judicial nomination of John Parker Herbert Hoover inauguration primary source set Herbert Hoover: Executive Order 5398 – Establishing the Veterans’ Administration The American Presidency Project Herbert Hoover mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral…

Primary Source Spotlight: League of Nations

Primary Source Spotlight: League of Nations

Topics in Chronicling America – League of Nations More League of Nations historical newspaper coverage League of Nations texts, including address transcripts 1916-1929 Speeches about the League of Nations audio recordings and transcripts The League of Nations: A Pictoral Survey 1925-28 League of Nations mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection League of Nations sheet music World War I:…

Today in History: Jelly Roll Morton

Today in History: Jelly Roll Morton

Today in History–July 10–the Library of Congress features jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton, who died on this day in 1941. Born Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe in New Orleans, Louisiana, Morton billed himself as “Jelly Roll” while playing minstrel and vaudeville shows. In addition to jazz, Morton also played ragtime, blues and spirituals. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to…

Presidential Spotlight: Warren G. Harding

Presidential Spotlight: Warren G. Harding

Ask students to deduce which man in the picture above is President Warren G. Harding, using specific details from the image to support their answer. Presidential Election of 1920 resource guide Warren G. Harding 1921 presidential inauguration primary source set Warren G. Harding images President Harding and Calvin Coolidge film Warren G. Harding-Carrie Fulton Phillips correspondence…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Biggest Business in the World

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Biggest Business in the World

This campaign ad lists 10 pledges Senator Warren G. Harding promised to uphold. Which 3 do you think are most important for a politician to keep? Explain the reasoning for your choices. What pledges would you make if you were running for political office? Explain the reasoning for your choices. This campaign ad says the United…

Today in History: Sherwood Anderson

Today in History: Sherwood Anderson

Today in History–September 13–the Library of Congress features writer Sherwood Anderson, born on this day in 1876. Sherwood worked as a copywriter before gaining success for his poetry, short stories, and novels. Learn  more about this midwest scribe by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources about Sherwood and other American writers. Sherwood…