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 LibraryCounty fair imagesA rube couple at a county fair 1904 filmCounty 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, 2018, there are 200 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 month!Collection … [Read more...]
World Spotlight: Italy
January 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Library blog posts related to ItalyEuropean 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, 1893Frederick … [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 CollinsVideoPoetry 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...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Gwendolyn Brooks
April 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Pulitzer Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) wrote more than 20 books of poetry and served as the Illinois Poet Laureate from 1968-2000 and Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1985-1986. Learn more about this amazing artist by investigating the resources below.Gwendolyn Brooks reads from her poetry audio recording September 30, 1985We Real Cool broadsideA Street in Bronzeville Books that Shaped America online exhibition"Gwendolyn Brooks Is Named as Next … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Jazz Music
February 24, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Jazz audio recordingsJazz webcasts and performance videosJazz image setGottlieb jazz photos on Flickr"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free" images & scoreJazz sheet musicJazz life historiesJazz Chicago 1 Jazz Chicago 2 Jazz Chicago styleJazz Singers online exhibitionJazz magazine clippings from the William P. Gottlieb collectionHistorical newspaper coverage: jazzMore jazz textsInfluence of Jazz on Modern Music … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Football
January 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This primary source spotlight shines a light on the sport of American football.Spinner Play, lithograph by American artist Benton Spruance - guided primary source analysis activitiesFootball imagesFootball filmsPresident Roosevelt at the Army-Navy game 1902 Princeton and Yale football game 1903 Chicago-Michigan football game 1903Sports Byline USA radio program football audio recordingsJim Brown 08-15-2002 John Elway 01-24-2003 Archie Griffin 06-25-1993 … [Read more...]
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