Today in History–August 22–the Library of Congress features county and state fairs, many of which are held around this date. County and state fairs feature entertainment as well as showcase the agricultural industry and rural lifestyles. Learn more by reviewing the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources & more. County and State Fairs from America's Library County fair images A rube couple at a county fair 1904 film County fair audio … [Read more...]
Today in History: Clara Barton & the Red Cross
May 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–May 21–TPS-Barat features Clarissa "Clara" Barton, who founded the Red Cross on this date in 1881. A former teacher, Barton was working in the U.S. patent office at the start of the Civil War. Despite having little nursing training, Barton administered aid to soldiers at several battlefields. After the war she established the Missing Soldier Office in Washington, D.C., led the effort to establish a national cemetery at Andersonville Prison, and, in 1881, founded the American Red … [Read more...]
Featured Image: Thanksgiving page Nov. 24, 1916
November 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Leavenworth Echo. (Leavenworth, Wash.), 24 Nov. 1916. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Articles (Click the page image above to zoom in and read the articles or open this .pdf document.) The Nation's Thanksgiving New York "Kids" on Thanksgiving A Happy Thanksgiving Song of the Glad Folks … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning Is Contagious: Free PD for Chicago-area Educators
May 12, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Presented by TPS-Barat in conjunction with the Chicago Public Schools Department of Literacy, this workshop is geared towards librarians and social studies and language arts teachers of grades 6-12. The workshop is open to teachers from school districts in the Chicago area. Two CPDUs will be awarded. Workshop Details Date: Tuesday, May 19 Time: 4:30 - 6:30 pm Cost: FREE Location: Reilly Elementary, Main Building Computer Lab 3650 W School Street Chicago, IL 60618 Workshop … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Marie Curie
March 18, 2015 by 2 Comments
Marie Curie was a brilliant and dedicated scientist who coined the term radioactivity. Her husband Pierre, also a scientist, was so excited about her research that he put his work on hold to help her make quicker progress on hers. In 1898 they discovered two new elements which they named polonium and radium. The Curies went won the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics (shared with Henri Becquerel whose work they had built on) and Marie won the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Primary sources Marie … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Teddy Bears
February 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Teddy bears got their name from Theodore Roosevelt. He had a soft heart for animals in general and in particular for a bear that his aides cornered and thought he would like as a hunting trophy. The incident inspired the cartoon illustration above which, in turn, inspired a New York toy store owner to create a toy stuffed bear he called "Teddy's bear". Below you can find out more of the story and then explore teddy bear resources from the Library of Congress. The teddy bear story from … [Read more...]
Today in History: Television
August 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features children's television. On this date in 1950, ABC aired its first Saturday morning children's television shows: Animal Clinic and the variety show Acrobat Ranch, which featured two young acrobats, Tumbling Tim and Flying Flo, and children competing in games and stunts. Learn more about children's television as well as the history of television by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Television image … [Read more...]
Today in History: Coca-Cola
May 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–May 8–the Library of Congress features the soft drink Coca-cola, first sold on this day in 1886 at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. This carbonated beverage soon became a favorite in the United States; the company sales were around 100 million by the late 1890s. Learn more about the history of this iconic soda by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to the drink we call Coke today. The First Coca-cola … [Read more...]
Today in History: The Ice Cream Cone
July 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–July 23–the Library of Congress features the invention of the ice cream cone, purportedly conceived by Charles E. Menches on this day in 1904 . This confectioner was one of several who were given credit for this delectable invention and who participated in the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. Find out more about the invention of ice cream by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access recipes, books, primary sources images, and more. St. Louis, … [Read more...]
Today in History: Daniel Boone
June 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–June 7–the Library of Congress features Daniel Boone, who laid eyes on the woodlands of modern-day Kentucky on this day in 1769. He arrived there after ignoring a British ban on westward migration. Find out more about this famous frontiersman known for his coonskin cap by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon [sic] More books about Daniel Boone "Boone, the Pioneer" The Daily … [Read more...]
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