Today in History–April 24–the Library of Congress celebrates its own birthday. On this day in 1800, President John Adams approved a $5,000 appropriation to purchase "such books as may be necessary for the use of congress." According to Thomas Jefferson, any book would be useful: " . . . there is in fact no subject to which a member of Congress may not have occasion to refer." Learn more about the Library and its fabulous digital book collections by visiting the Today in History section, then … [Read more...]
Today in History: Rare Children’s Books
March 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–March 13–the Library of Congress features rare children's books. Someone wrote "Enoch Brooks' Book, Princeton, March 13th, 1789" in permanent ink in a Library of Congress copy of a rare children's Bible: A Curious Hieroglyphick Bible published by Isaiah Thomas. Learn more about this early American printer and literature publisher by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access a selection of the children's books available from the digitized … [Read more...]
Today in History: James Baldwin
August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–August 2–the Library of Congress features novelist, essayist, and playwright James Baldwin, born on this day in 1924. Influenced by a teacher—poet and Harlem Renaissance leader Countee Cullen—Baldwin went on to earn his own place in literary history. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access some of the Library's top literary treasures. Novelist, Essayist, and Playwright James Baldwin Was Born from America's Library James … [Read more...]
James Monroe wrote letter to friend and former president Thomas Jefferson seeking advice on foreign policy. Check out our