Presidential Spotlight: Warren G. Harding

Presidential Spotlight: Warren G. Harding

Ask students to deduce which man in the picture above is President Warren G. Harding, using specific details from the image to support their answer. Presidential Election of 1920 resource guide Warren G. Harding 1921 presidential inauguration primary source set Warren G. Harding images President Harding and Calvin Coolidge film Warren G. Harding-Carrie Fulton Phillips correspondence…

Today in History: Marian Anderson

Today in History: Marian Anderson

Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features singer Marian Anderson, who made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on his day in 1955. Barred from attending a Philadelphia music school because of her race, Anderson’s family, friends and church helped fund private voice lessons. Although she toured Europe and the United States extensively, Anderson continued to suffer…

World Spotlight: Mexico

World Spotlight: Mexico

Mexico country profile Mexico country study The Mexican Revolution and the United States 1910-1920 online exhibition Mexican primary sources from the World Digital Library Mexico maps Mexico images Mexico video recordings Mexico songs Mexico sheet music Mexican literary recordings Mexico books & documents Select newspaper articles: Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) More U.S. historical newspaper coverage of Mexico…

Today in History: Duke Ellington

Today in History: Duke Ellington

Today in History–April 29–the Library of Congress features jazz great Duke Ellington, born on this date in 1899. Ellington started to play piano at age 7 and wrote his first song–Soda Fountain Rag–at age 15. By his late teens, he was earning enough money to help his parents move into a better house. Ellington’s musical versatility was astounding and…

Today in History: William Shakespeare

Today in History: William Shakespeare

Today in History–April 26–the Library of Congress features William Shakespeare, baptized on this day in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on April 23, because babies generally were baptized about three days after birth. Learn about the Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: Works Progress Administration

Today in History: Works Progress Administration

Today in History–April 8–the Library of Congress features the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was funded by the the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved on this day in 1935. This national works program, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in…

Today in History: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today in History: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today in History–February 27–the Library of Congress features poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born on this date in 1807 in Portland, Maine. Longfellow was considered a “new poet” in his day and was very popular both in the United States and abroad. Learn more about this artist and scholar by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Was Born from…

Today in History: Zora Neale Hurston

Today in History: Zora Neale Hurston

Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features writer Zora Neale Hurston, born on this date in 1891. She grew up in Eatonville, Florida, the first incorporated black town in the United States. Trained as an anthropologist, Hurston documented life histories and folklore, later using what she learned to inform her novels and plays. Learn more about this Harlem renaissance woman…

Primary Source Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage

Primary Source Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage

World Spotlight source sets Primary source sets Library Collections Online Exhibitions Spotlights, Features & Special Presentations Image Sets Veterans History Project Teaching Resources Stories from America’s Library Library blog posts Hispanic Heritage More themes Resource Guides Recorded Literature Webcasts Writers Themes More Recorded Webcasts Congressional Activity Recommended Links to Resources Outside the Library of Congress

Today in History: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today in History: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today in History–September 24–the Library of Congress features writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, born on this day in 1896. Named for his distant cousin Francis Scott Key, author of the The Star-Spangled Banner. Fitzgerald also enjoyed instant success with his first writing effort, the novel This Side of Paradise. Five years later Fitzgerald’s most celebrated novel, The Great Gatsby, was published. Learn more…

Today in History: New York City’s Finest

Today in History: New York City’s Finest

Today in History–June 1–the Library of Congress features the New York City police department, whose annual parade was filmed on this day in 1899. Learn more about “New York City’s Finest” by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover primary sources about police officers in New York City and other places. Films Police…

Today in History: Edgar Allan Poe

Today in History: Edgar Allan Poe

Today in History–January 19–the Library of Congress features author Edgar Allan Poe, born on this date in 1809. Learn more about the life of this master of American writing–a poet; a master of macabre tales; the originator of the modern detective story; and an acute literary critic, editor, and journalist–by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources…