“The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.” The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great starting points for using the Veterans History…
Today in History–October 31–the Library of Congress features Halloween. On this day many Americans celebrate spookiness and becoming someone else by dressing in costumes. To learn more about the origins of this fun-filled holiday and ideas for finding unique Halloween primary sources, visit the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary sources related to Halloween, ghosts,…
Today in History–October 28–the Library of Congress features temperance and prohibition. On this day in 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act which allowed for enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Lauded by temperance societies and referred to as the Prohibition Amendment, the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” in the…
Today in History–October 24–the Library of Congress features the transcontinental telegraph system was completed on this day in 1861, which signaled the rapid demise of the short-lived Pony Express. Learn more about these methods of long-distance communication by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more related primary sources. First Transcontinental Telegraph System Was Completed from America’s Library Telegraph…
Today in History–October 21–the Library of Congress features political debates, highlighting the final round of the Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate which was televised on this day in 1960. Learn more about these “Great Debates“, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and the role of radio in presidential debates and addresses of the 1920s and 1930s by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below…
Today in History–October 20–the Library of Congress features the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, ratified by the Senate on this day in 1803. For many fascinating facts about this key purchase, visit the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition primary source set with teacher’s…
Today in History–October 19–the Library of Congress features the surrender at Yorktown of British General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington on this day in 1781. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about Cornwallis and the American Revolution. General Cornwallis primary source set Surrender of Yorktown primary source set Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown historical…
Today in History–October 18–the Library of Congress features Puerto Rico. On this date in 1898, American troops fighting in the Spanish-American War raised the United States flag in Puerto Rico formalizing U.S. control of this former Spanish colony. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary sources about this current U.S. commonwealth. Puerto Rico during the…
The Teaching with Library of Congress blog points out ways to explore the Library virtually and suggests engaging learning activities using this set of putti images, from the Carol M. Highsmith photograph archive. You might also try similar activities using this set of images depicting iconic figures found on the doors of the Library annex from…
Today in History–October 3–the Library of Congress features Cherokee Chief John Ross, born on this day in 1790. Ross fought hard in Washington to preserve the Cherokee land but was ultimately unsuccessful. Learn more about his efforts by reviewing the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to the Cherokee. Chief Little John…
Today in History–September 27–the Library of Congress features champion golfer Kathy Whitworth, born on this day in 1939 Whitworth is the winningest golfer in history. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then check out more golf and sports primary source sets. Champion golfer Kathy Whitworth from America’s Library Kathy Whitworth historical newspaper coverage Topics in Chronicling America…
Today in History–September 22–the Library of Congress features the Emancipation Proclamation. On this day in 1862, just over five months after signing an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary version of this historic act, which was officially proclaimed on January 1, 1863. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then…