The U.S. History Primary Source Timeline spans nearly 400 years, covering 9 time periods. Each time period includes an overview and several subsections and each of these, in turn, provide background information and a selection of curated primary sources. Colonial Settlement, 1600s - 1763 The American Revolution, 1763 - 1783 The New Nation, 1783 - 1815 National Expansion and Reform, 1815 - 1880 Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900 … [Read more...]
TPS Spotlight: Journalism in Action
April 29, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Explore the ways the free press has covered major events in history dating back to the American Revolution with PBS NewsHour EXTRA's interactive Journalism in Action: Civic Engagement and Primary Sources Through Key Moments in History, a website supported by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program. Fun, engaging civic activities for middle and high school students illuminate historical documents and help students make their own judgments using news … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Pulling Down the Statue
July 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Take a close look at this image to notice small details as well as the bigger picture. Then fill out an Event Happenings worksheet. Next, review the complete work and the source record. What more did you learn? Now look closely at two more images of the same event; the first is a modified image of the first and the second is an entirely different image. Be sure to look closely. What do you learn from the images and source records? Compare and contrast the images as well as the information you … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: American Revolution
August 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Primary source sets with teaching resources American Revolution and U.S. Constitution Emerging America American Revolutionary War and Its Impact on the West State Historical Society of Iowa Coming of the American Revolution TPS-MTSU Revolutionary America (1755-1787) Inquiry in the Upper Midwest Collection Connections American Memory Timeline: American Revolution select primary sources & primary source analysis prompts The American Revolution and Its Era: Maps and … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: American Revolution
May 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Primary sources U.S. History Primary Source Timeline: American Revolution American Revolution primary source set The American Revolution and Its Era: Maps and Charts collection Mapping the American Revolution and Its Era Battle maps and charts of the American Revolution (1881) Printed Ephemera 1763-1783 A broadside titled "No Stamped Paper to be had" reports a variety of colonial efforts intended to force the repeal of the hated Stamp Act of 1765 An account of … [Read more...]
Today in History: Nathan Hale
September 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 22–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, who was hanged for spying on British troops on this date in 1776. This teacher turned soldier is famous for the words he allegedly spoke before his execution, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Find out more about patriot Nathan Hale by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Patriot Nathan Hale Was Hanged from … [Read more...]
Today in History: Preliminary Articles of Peace Ratified
April 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–April 15–the Library of Congress features the Continental Congress ratification of the preliminary articles of peace with Great Britain on this date in 1783. Negotiations to conclude the Revolutionary War had begun a year earlier. "International intrigue and intense negotiation preceded the formulation of these preliminary articles." The final, formal treaty was signed on September 3, 1783 and guaranteed U.S. independence as well as awarding the territory between the 13 … [Read more...]
Today in History: Robert R. Livingston
November 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–November 27–the Library of Congress features statesman Robert R. Livingston, born on this day in 1746. Born into a prominent New York family, Livingston was a politically active lawyer. He was on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, helped draft New York's first constitution, and served as minister to France at the time of the Louisiana Purchase. Find out more about this revolutionary politico by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: The Places You’ll Go with Maps
November 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Library of Congress has custody of the largest and most comprehensive cartographic collection in the world and there are so many places you can visit with the Library of Congress' fabulous digitized map collections. Take a look at the wide variety of maps you can explore in incredible detail and discover engaging primary source lessons and activities. Zoom in now! Map Collections American Revolution Maps & Charts of North America & the West Indies 1750-1789 an important … [Read more...]
Today in History: John André & Benedict Arnold
October 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 2–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War officers Major John André and Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. On this day in 1780 André, a British intelligence officer, was hanged as a spy after being caught with papers concerning Arnold's treasonous dealings. Only a short time before, the Continental army general had agreed to surrender West Point to the British in exchange for 20,000 pounds. Although he avoided Major André's ignoble fate and served in the … [Read more...]
Paris Peace Conference began. Check out our 