Today in History–October 5–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Nez Percé Chief Joseph to General Nelson A. Miles on this day in 1877. Learn more about the plight of this Native American tribe in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to Chief Joseph, the Nez Percé, and other…
Today in History–September 21–the Library of Congress features the beginning of publication of the nation’s first daily newspaper, the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on this day in 1784. Prior to 1784 the newspaper’s publisher, John Dunlap, had published a weekly newspaper. Dunlap’s shop had also printed the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Continuing to serve…
Today in History–September 19–the Library of Congress features poets and the seasons. On this day in 1819, English poet John Keats, wrote “To Autumn,” a three-stanza ode to the splendor, bounty, and melancholy of fall. Find out more poems and poets by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access 19th-century periodical articles written about Keats….
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….
Today in History–September 9–the Library of Congress features the Stono Rebellion—the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies prior to the American Revolution—which occurred on this day in 1739. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more slave insurrection primary sources and other resources related to slavery in the United States. A…
The Fall Issue of the TPS Quarterly is out and the featured article–“Beyond Typescript and Photographs: Using Primary Sources in Different Formats”–provides teaching ideas for using different primary source types in learning activities. Read the article to get tips on using handwritten manuscripts; posters, prints, and drawings; motion pictures; oral histories; historic sheet music and sound recordings; and…
Today in History–August 10–the Library of Congress features Missouri, which entered the Union this day in 1821, becoming the twenty-fourth state. Commonly known as the Show Me State, you can learn more about the state’s history and culture by visiting the Today in History section, then following the links below to access more primary source treasures. Missouri stories from America’s Library Missouri primary source set…
Today in History–August 5–the Library of Congress features San Francisco, California. On August 5, 1775, the Spanish ship San Carlos, commanded by Juan Manuel de Ayala, entered what would later be called San Francisco Bay. Learn more about this golden city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. San Francisco maps San Francisco images Before and…
Today in History–July 27–the Library of Congress features New York and architect Cyrus Eidlitz, born on this day in 1853. Eidlitz was the architect of the Times building, for which Times Square was named. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures about New York architects and architecture. Architect Cyrus…
Today in History–July 22–the Library of Congress features Cleveland, Ohio. When General Moses Cleaveland and a party of surveyors arrived at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on July 22, 1796, they thought it would make an ideal location for a new town. The city became officially known as Cleveland when the Cleveland Advertiser dropped the first “a” in the city’s name to reduce…
Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features Washington D.C. It’s designation as the United States capital city was assured on this date in 1790 with the signing of the Residence Act. Learn more about the planning of this singular city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Primary source…
Today in History–July 8–the Library of Congress features the Great Depression, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its lowest point on this day in 1932. During the Great Depression many families lost their homes because they could not pay their mortgages so they sought alternative forms of shelter. Groups of these makeshift houses were often…