Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day

Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day

Today in History–March 17–the Library of Congress features St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorates the death of the patron saint of Ireland who, as legend has it, died on this date circa 492. The holiday has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century. Across the country today, many people celebrate with parades and…

Primary Source Spotlight: Harriet Tubman

Primary Source Spotlight: Harriet Tubman

From America’s Library Born: c. 1820, Dorchester County, Maryland Died: March 10, 1913, Auburn, New York Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the “Moses of her people.” Over the course of 10 years, and at great personal risk, she led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, a secret…

World Spotlight: Iran

World Spotlight: Iran

Iran country study Iran country profile Iran country profile BBC Iran timeline BBC Places in the News: Iran April 2007 April 2009 December 2010 June 2011 April 2013 Iran primary source set World Digital Library Iran maps Iran image set Persia image set Featured Image: The Book of Kings Books & articles about Iran Films & webcasts related to Iran Persia; Concert polka (sheet…

Today in History: Thanksgiving

Today in History: Thanksgiving

Today in History–November 26–the Library of Congress features Thanksgiving, designated by President George Washington on this date in 1789. Seventy-four years later, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation that declared the last Thursday in November national Thanksgiving Day. Learn more about U.S. Thanksgiving traditions by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more…

World Spotlight: Ethiopia

World Spotlight: Ethiopia

Ethiopia primary source set from the World Digital Library Ethiopia maps Ethiopia images Books about Ethiopia Ethiopia historical newspaper coverage Articles & other texts Epiphany and Timkat in Ethiopia: The City of Gondar Hosts Annual Epiphany Celebrations 4 Corners of the World January 19, 2022 Ethiopian Emperors and Slavery In Custodia Legis January 31, 2012…

Today in History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Today in History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Today in History–November 12–the Library of Congress features women’s rights leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, born on this date in 1815. The daughter of a judge, Stanton was devoted to her studies but her higher education aspirations were thwarted because of her gender. This experience helped inform her philosophy on individual rights. She later became a…

Today in History: Carl Schurz

Today in History: Carl Schurz

Today in History–October 29–the Library of Congress features journalist and politician Carl Schurz. On this date in 1855, the recent German immigrant wrote his wife, Margarethe Meyer Schurz, about his hope for their future in America. Exactly five years later Schurz sent his wife another letter, this time from Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign trail. Schurz served as a U.S. senator and worked with…

State Spotlight: Kentucky

State Spotlight: Kentucky

Kentucky stories from America’s Library Fighting (Civil War ) for Kentucky Today in History: October 8 Kentucky primary source set with teacher’s guide Kentucky resource guide Kentucky images Kentucky maps Kentucky books and other texts Correspondence & printed ephemera related to Kentucky Kentucky oral histories Kentucky historical newspapers Kentucky sheet music Kentucky songs (streaming audio) Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers video Celebrating Kentucky Poets…

Today in History: Impeachment

Today in History: Impeachment

Today in History–May 16–the Library of Congress features presidential impeachments. On this day in 1868, the U.S. Senate failed by one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson of “high crimes and misdemeanors,” under the eleventh article of impeachment.  The second trial of a U.S. president—President Bill Clinton—on articles of impeachment occurred in January and February of 1999….

World Spotlight: China

World Spotlight: China

China primary sources from the World Digital Library collection China maps China books & other texts China: historical U.S. newspaper coverage China / Chinese: song recordings & oral histories China / Chinese: sheet music China: U.S. veteran’s stories China / Chinese films & webcasts Images of China Images of Chinese Chinese flutes artifact images U.S. legislation related to…

Today in History: Columbus, Georgia

Today in History: Columbus, Georgia

Today in History–February 19–the Library of Congress features Columbus, Georgia. On this date in 1917, future literary star Carson McCullers was born. Learn more about the city that influenced author Carson McCullers writing by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to thousands of primary sources related to the city of Columbus and the state of Georgia. Carson McCullers…

Today in History: Charleston, South Carolina

Today in History: Charleston, South Carolina

Today in History–February 18–the Library of Congress features Charleston, South Carolina, which surrendered control to Union forces on this date in 1865. Learn more about this southern city that played a leading role in the events leading up to the Civil War by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to numerous related primary sources. Charleston maps Charleston images Charleston…