Today in History–March 16–the Library of Congress features United States Military Academy at West Point, founded on this date in 1802. Located on the Hudson River north of New York City, West Point is one of the world's oldest military service academies and was attended by many of the nation's leading military commanders. The academy is well known for its high standards of discipline and scholarship, instituted early on by Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, superintendent at West Point from 1817 to … [Read more...]
Today in History: Fisk University
Today in History–January 9–the Library of Congress features the Fisk School (later known as Fisk University), which held its first classes on this day in 1866. Fisk is one of several historically black colleges–others include Atlanta University, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and Howard University. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to this historic institution. Fisk School Opens from America's … [Read more...]
Today in History: Yale University
Today in History–October 9–the Library of Congress features Yale University, which received a charter from the Connecticut colonial legislature (as the Collegiate School in Saybrook) on this day in 1701. The school moved to New Haven in 1716, and was renamed Yale College in 1718 in honor of Elihu Yale, a merchant and early benefactor. Find out more about this prestigious university by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to … [Read more...]
Today in History: Patrick Francis Healy & Georgetown University
Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Georgetown University, which inaugurated Patrick Francis Healy as President on this day in 1874. Healy was the son of an Irish-immigrant planter and a mulatto slave and is credited with transforming Georgetown from a small school into a modern university. Find out more about Healy and the university founded by John Carroll in 1789 by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related … [Read more...]