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: Helen Keller
March 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Helen Keller from America's Library "Autumn" poem by Helen Keller, 27 October 1893, includes background and teaching resources Hellen Keller correspondence The World I Live in by Helen Keller 1908 The Song of the Stone Wall by Helen Keller 1910 The Girl Who Found the Blue Bird: A Visit to Helen Keller by Georgette Leblanc 1914 Blue? Hellen Keller Isn't The Seattle Star. (Seattle, Wash.), 04 Oct. 1921 More Helen Keller historical newspaper coverage Legislation related to … [Read more...]
Today in History: Bell’s Photophone
June 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–June 3–the Library of Congress features the invention of the photophone on this date in 1880 by Alexander Graham Bell. Although more famously known for the telephone, the photophone transmitted sound on a beam of light. This technology with the precursor to fiber optics which today transmits voice and data communications at the speed of light. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources related to the … [Read more...]
Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell
March 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell's knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help save President James A, Garfield. Unfortunately, the attempt to locate the assassin's bullet was unsuccessful. … [Read more...]
Today in History: Gilbert Grosvenor & National Geographic
October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 28–the Library of Congress features editor and president of the National Geographic Society, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, born on this date in 1875. Just 9 years after immigrating from Turkey to the United States, Grosvenor began working as an assistant editor at National Geographic upon the recommendation of family friend Alexander Graham Bell. Just four years later he became the magazine's editor-in-chief. Grosvenor developed the photographic and cartographic departments, … [Read more...]
Today in History: James A. Garfield
July 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–July 2–the Library of Congress features James A. Garfield, who was shot on this day in 1881 not long after he became the 20th president of the United States. The gunshot didn't kill Garfield, however, infection caused by doctors probing the president's wound with unwashed hands did. Find out more the attempts to save President Garfield in the Today in History section, then click the links below to learn more . Primary source sets "They Saved Our Flag" James A. Garfield … [Read more...]
Today in History: William Howard Taft
September 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features William Howard Taft, born on this day in 1857. Taft had a very active political career that included two of our country's highest posts, President and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about William H. Taft. William H. Taft inauguration primary source set William H. Taft Papers William H. Taft books and … [Read more...]
Today in History: Harvard University
September 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Harvard University, named in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, who died on this day in 1638. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this venerable institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard images Harvard sheet music Harvard songs (audio recordings) Harvard books, reports & other texts U.S. legislation … [Read more...]
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