Collections Spotlight: Volcanoes

Collections Spotlight: Volcanoes

Volcano maps Volcano images U.S. historical newspaper coverage: volcano eruptions Krakatoa Volcano Eruption (1883): Topics in Chronicling America select articles & timeline Books, reports & other texts about volcanoes U.S. legislation related to volcanoes U.S. Geological Survey: Volcano Hazards Program Places in the News articles related to volcanoes Japan: Active Volcanoes Special Measures Act Amended…

Today in History: Alaska

Today in History: Alaska

Today in History–November 20–the Library of Congress features the Alaska Highway, opened on this date in 1942. Originally known as the Alcan Highway, this 1,500-miles-long roadway connected Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Fairbanks, Alaska. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more information and primary sources related to the great state of…

Primary Source Spotlight: Denali National Park

Primary Source Spotlight: Denali National Park

Originally established as Mt. McKinley National Park in 1917, today Denali National Park encompasses 600 million acres of land from low lying taiga forests to the summit of America’s tallest peak Denali (20, 310 feet). Learn more about this magical place by clicking the links below. Alaska’s High Point from America’s Library Mt. McKinley National Park…

Primary Source Spotlight: North American Fur Trade

Primary Source Spotlight: North American Fur Trade

Articles Before Lewis & Clark, Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America online exhibition (scroll down to access Exploration of the Missouri River & British Passage to the Pacific sections) After Lewis & Clark, Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America online exhibition (scroll down to access the Fur Trade section) A Fortune Made from Fur: John Jacob…

Today in History: John Muir

Today in History: John Muir

Today in History–July 19–the Library of Congress features naturalist John Muir, who captured his experience of awakening in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California on this day in 1869. Read his thoughts and find out more about the subsequent founder of the Sierra Club by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more related resources. Books…

Today in History: John Burroughs

Today in History: John Burroughs

Today in History–April 3–the Library of Congress features writer and naturalist John Burroughs, born on this day in 1837. Learn more about this contemporary of John Muir and Henry David Thoreau by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access images and some of his writings and photographs as well as more environment and conservation teaching resources and primary…

Today in History: Alaska Purchase

Today in History: Alaska Purchase

Today in History–March 30–the Library of Congress features the United States purchase of Alaska from Russia, which Secretary of State William Seward agreed to on this day in 1867. Opponents of the $7.2 million purchase called it “Seward’s Folly” but opinions changed following the discovery of gold and, later, oil. Learn more by reviewing the Today in History section,…

Today in History: Iditarod

Today in History: Iditarod

Today in History–March 20–the Library of Congress features the Iditarod, won by Libby Riddles on this day in 1985, the first win for a woman. The next three Iditarod races were also won by a woman, Susan Butcher (she won for the fourth time in 1990). Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below…

Today in History: Gold Discovered in California

Today in History: Gold Discovered in California

Today in History–January 24–the Library of Congress features gold, discovered in California on this day in 1848. The discovery was first met with skepticism and the California gold rush did not begin in full until after an endorsement from President James Polk in December, 1848. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover…

Today in History: Andrew Johnson

Today in History: Andrew Johnson

Today in History–December 29–the Library of Congress features Andrew Johnson, born on this date in 1808. Learn more about our nation’s 17th president (1865-69), a self-educated career politician and infamous for being the first of three presidents impeached by the House of Representatives by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more stories and primary…

Primary Source Learning: Native American Perspectives

Primary Source Learning: Native American Perspectives

In celebration of Native American Heritage month, the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great suggestions for teaching students to view the experiences and contributions of Native Americans from various perspectives. Comparing sources from multiple perspectives provides students with practice in critical thinking and evaluating evidence and arguments. Links to more Native American…