Colonial Settlement1600s – 1763 The American Revolution 1763 – 83 The New Nation1783-1815 National Expansion & Reform1815-80 Civil War & Reconstruction1861-77 Rise of Industrial America1876-1900 Progressive Era to New Era1900-29 Great Depression & WW II1929-45 The Post War United States1945-68 Congressional Documents1774-1873 U.S. History by Time Period primary source sets
Constance Baker Motley image set James Meredith and NAACP lawyers Constance Baker Motley and Jack Greenberg photo Founding of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund memorandum from Thurgood Marshall Constance Baker Motley historical newspaper coverage NAACP lawyer Constance Baker Motley discusses her surprise at crowds at the March on Washington video Our Guest Speaker:…
Poetry has a long history of addressing and illuminating public issues and events but a disjointed and relatively short history of inclusion in presidential inauguration ceremonies. These moments, however, provide additional nuance to the state of the country during these important transitional moments in our nation. Use the links below to read and listen to…
Today in History–August 28–the Library of Congress features the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on this day in 1963. Around a quarter million people participated in this non-violent demonstration for civil rights seeking, among other things, equal access to public accommodations, decent housing, adequate and integrated education, the right to vote, and…
Online exhibition items & curator notes Voting Rights Act of 1965 African American Odyssey Voting Rights Act of 1965 Civil Rights Act of 1964 Voting Rights Act of 1965 NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom Voting rights political cartoons by Herb Block Don’t Be Getting Any Ideas That You Have a Right to Vote March 11,1965…
Above is the first page of Robert Frost’s poem “Dedication” with his handwritten edits. First read the final version of this poem. How does this poem make you feel? Why do you think Frost might have written this poem? Who do you think was the audience for the poem? Include specific examples from the poem in…
Lyndon B. Johnson oath of office Nov. 22, 1963 image and audio file Lyndon B. Johnson inauguration primary source set Jan. 20, 1965 Vice President Johnson Was Assigned the Task of Unifying the U.S. Satellite Programs Jun. 24, 1961 from America’s Library Retreat from Armageddon? Khrushchev, Kennedy, Johnson and the Elusive Quest for Peace webcast Judgment Days: Lyndon Baines…
Civil rights primary source collections Collection Spotlight: Civil Rights History Project Presidential Spotlight: Lyndon B. Johnson Primary Source Spotlight: NAACP Primary Source Spotlight: Voting Rights Act of 1965 Selma Marches March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom Freedom story map Civil rights books, reports & other texts Select civil rights primary sources Civil Rights: Before,…
Look closely at the drawing and use a magnifying glass to decipher the notes. What did you learn? What safety features are recommended? Use the two articles linked to below to create a Brief History of Motor Vehicle Safety in the United States; you may choose to write an article or develop a timeline, infographic,…
Today in History–July 13–the Library of Congress features Frank Sinatra, who made his recording debut on this day in 1939 with the Harry James band. After, Sinatra sang with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra before beginning his solo career. On his own, Sinatra became a teenage sensation but would later appeal to music and movie fans of multiple generations. Learn more about this…
The Civil Rights History Project collection is a direct result of the 2009 Civil Rights History Project Act. This law mandated the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to conduct a survey of existing civil rights oral-history collections and enhance these collections by recording new interviews with…
Today in History–April 28–the Library of Congress features musician Henry Reed, born on this date in 1884 in West Virginia. Reed was a master fiddler as well as banjo and harmonica player who learned most of the tunes he played by ear and had hundreds of songs committed to memory. He never played professionally but became well…