Primary sources, as described by the Library of Congress, "are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects that were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts that retell, analyze, or interpret events, usually at a distance of time or place. Bringing young people into close contact with these unique, often profoundly personal documents and objects can give them a sense of what it was like to be alive during a long-past era. Helping … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Louise Glück
October 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Louise Glück is an award-winning American poet—2020 Nobel Prize for Literature, the 2014 National Book Award, 1993 Pulitzer Prize, and 1992 Bobbitt Prize, among others—who also served as a Special Bicentennial Consultant from 1999-2000 and the U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry from 2003-2004 at the Library of Congress. Event video recordings Louise Glück Reads Her Poetry Jan. 29, 1988 (1:05:08) Bicentennial Symposium: Poetry & the American People Apr. 4, 2000 … [Read more...]
World Spotlight: Pakistan
April 29, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Pakistan: Places in the News articles Pakistan country profile Pakistan country study Pakistan profile BBC Pakistan timeline BBC Pakistan primary sources from the World Digital Library Pakistan maps Pakistan images Audio recordings related to Pakistan Pakistan: U.S. veteran’s oral histories Alan Lomax Collection Manuscripts, Pakistani indigenous singing groups Manuscripts, Performance style, Choreometrics, sources, Correspondence and notes by culture, … [Read more...]
Today in History: County and State Fairs
August 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–August 22–the Library of Congress features county and state fairs, many of which are held around this date. County and state fairs feature entertainment as well as showcase the agricultural industry and rural lifestyles. Learn more by reviewing the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources & more. County and State Fairs from America's Library County fair images A rube couple at a county fair 1904 film County fair audio … [Read more...]
Collection Spotlight: Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature
April 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature at the Library of Congress contains recordings of poets and prose writers participating in literary events at the Library’s Capitol Hill campus as well as sessions at the Library’s Recording Laboratory. As of April, 2019, there are nearly 300 artists represented the digital collection. There is a biography for each artist and each of those links to one or more recordings featuring readings and commentary on their work. Happy poetry … [Read more...]
World Spotlight: Italy
January 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Library blog posts related to Italy European Month of Culture: Spotlight on Italy In the Muse May 13, 2016 Alan Lomax in Italy: a letter to Goffredo Plastino Folklife Today May 21, 2015 Deciphering the Land: An Unknown Estate Survey Book from Late Sixteenth and Early Seventeenth Century Italy Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps February 19, 2016 The Italian Legislative Procedure In Custodia Legis June 17, 2013 Law, a Curse and Life in an Italian Ghetto In Custodia Legis … [Read more...]
Today in History: Haiti
January 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–January 2–the Library of Congress features Haiti. On this date in 1893 Frederick Douglass, who once served as U.S. minister to this caribbean country, delivered an address at the dedication of the Haitian Pavilion at the World’s Columbian Exposition. Learn more Douglass' speech and the country by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related primary and secondary sources. Lecture on Haiti, Frederick Douglass, January 2, 1893 Frederick … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Billy Collins
April 24, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Billy Collins served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001-2003 and then as New York State Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. Collins is the author of 11 books of poetry and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2016. Integrating Tech: Poetry 180 a project of U.S. U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins Video Poetry 180: Bookfest 02 Poet Laureate Billy Collins Reads his Poems Everyday Moments Caught in Time Ted2012 2014 Book Festival Video (Poetry) 2014 Book … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Stanley Kunitz
April 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Award-winning poet Stanley Kunitz was born in 1905 in Worcester, Massachusetts and died in 2006. Kunitz authored 12 poetry collections, one of which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1959 and another, which won the National Book Award in 1995; other honors include a National Medal of Arts, the Bollingen Prize, and the Robert Frost Medal. Kunitz also twice served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (1974-1976 and 2000-2001). Audio Recordings of Stanley Kunitz … [Read more...]
Collection Spotlight: National Press Club Luncheon Speeches 1954-1989
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The National Press Club, with more than a century of history behind it, is known for its luncheon gatherings that have featured U.S. presidents, visiting world leaders, and other prominent persons to address the media members and answer questions about current affairs. Now, with the collection Food for Thought: Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Other National Press Club Luncheon Speakers, the Library of Congress provides online access to digital recordings of the National Press Club lunchtime … [Read more...]
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