Today in History–March 1–the Library of Congress features the Salem witch trials, which were sparked when Massachusetts authorities charged three women with witchcraft on this day in 1692. Read more about this brief but dark chapter in U.S. history by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Images Texts Books Historical…
Today in History–February 29–the Library of Congress features captivity narratives. On this day in 1704, French soldiers and their Native American allies raided a frontier settlement in Massachusetts, killing many and forcing more to march through heavy snows to Canada (New France). Read more about this incident and other captivity narratives by visiting the Today in History section, then click the…
Today in History–January 17–the Library of Congress features innovative leader Benjamin Franklin, born on this date in 1706. Learn more about this fascinating self-educated man who was a printer, writer, scientist, and statesman by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources about Ben Franklin. Benjamin Franklin Papers The select works of Benjamin Franklin; including his autobiography 1857 Benjamin…
Today in History–November 15–the Library of Congress features the Articles of Confederation, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on this day in 1777. Although Congress urged prompt action, it took more than three years for all thirteen states to ratify the articles that supported a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. Find out more…
Today in History–September 9–the Library of Congress features the Stono Rebellion—the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies prior to the American Revolution—which occurred on this day in 1739. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more slave insurrection primary sources and other resources related to slavery in the United States. A…
Today in History–September 1–the Library of Congress features poet Phillis Wheatley, whose book of poetry (the first of any African American) was published in London, England on this day in 1773. Read what praise Wheatley received from George Washington and others by visiting the Today in History section. For more poetry resources, check out the Primary Source Nexus posts…
Today in History–August 4–the Library of Congress features freemasonry. George Washington became a Master Mason, the highest rank in the Fraternity of Freemasonry, on this date in 1753. To learn more about freemasons and freemasonry, visit the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources. Free mason primary source set Freemason primary source set Free masonry primary source set…