Today in History: Ice Jam on the Niagara

Today in History: Ice Jam on the Niagara

Today in History–March 29–the Library of Congress features Niagara Falls. On this day in 1848 an ice dam stopped the Niagara Falls from flowing for more than 24 hours. Learn more about this event and the beauty of this natural wonder by reviewing the Today in History section, then clicking the primary source links below. Ice Dam at Niagara’s…

Today in History: George Washington

Today in History: George Washington

Today in History–February 22–the Library of Congress features George Washington, born on this day in 1732. Find out more about the Library of Congress resources related to our first president by reviewing the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about this founding father, then check out the many links below. About George…

Today in History: The Bill of Rights

Today in History: The Bill of Rights

Today in History–December 15–the Library of Congress features the Bill of Rights, ratified on this day in 1791. Did you know that, originally, 12 amendments were proposed? The original first amendment dealt with the number of people each congressional district should have and the second with congressional pay; neither was ratified but the latter did become…

Today in History: George Washington Dies

Today in History: George Washington Dies

Today in History–December 14–the Library of Congress features George Washington, who died on this date in 1799 at his Mount Vernon home. Learn more about our nation’s first president (1789-97) by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about the death of this founding father. George Washington Died at His…

Today in History: Salmon P. Chase

Today in History: Salmon P. Chase

Today in History–December 6–the Library of Congress features Salmon P. Chase, nominated as Supreme Court Chief Justice by President Abraham Lincoln on this day in 1864. Learn more about the architect of the first two clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment who also served as Governor of Ohio, a U.S. Senator, and Lincoln’s secretary of the treasury, by…

Today in History: The Articles of Confederation

Today in History: The Articles of Confederation

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…

Primary Source Learning: Gilded Age Teaching Resources & Strategies

Primary Source Learning: Gilded Age Teaching Resources & Strategies

This morning I saw a tweet mentioning primary sources related to immigration in the Gilded Age and I began to wonder . . . What learning activities related to the Gilded Age could we imagine using Library of Congress primary sources? What other teaching resources and strategies are available on LOC.gov and elsewhere? See the results…

Primary Source Learning: Uncovering Primary Source Treasures

Primary Source Learning: Uncovering Primary Source Treasures

The Teaching with Library of Congress blog highlights a collection of videos featuring Library curators briefly describing treasured items and their historical importance and provides some ideas for using the treasure videos with students. You can access the collection of Hidden Treasure videos at the Library of Congress or from the Hidden Treasures playlist on…

Today in History: The U.S. Naval Academy & the Navy

Today in History: The U.S. Naval Academy & the Navy

Today in History–October 10–the Library of Congress features the United States Naval Academy, which began its first term on this day in 1845.  Learn more about the naval academy and the U.S. navy in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more navy-related primary sources. Naval Academy primary source set Naval Academy historical newspaper coverage Selected naval…

Today in History: Cowboys & Fall Roundup Time

Today in History: Cowboys & Fall Roundup Time

Today in History–October 7–the Library of Congress features cowboys, or buckaroos, and fall roundup time. On this day in 1979 the Ninety-Six Ranch in Nevada completed its fall roundup and trail drive. Learn more about this roundup in the Today in History section then click the links below to access all sorts of cowboy stories and primary sources. Cowboy primary sources Buckaroos in Paradise Collection…

Today in History: Rails & Robbers

Today in History: Rails & Robbers

Today in History–October 6–the Library of Congress features the robbery of an eastbound Ohio & Mississippi Railroad passenger train near Seymour, Indiana on this day in 1866. Fortunately,  detectives from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency quickly identified the criminals. Learn more about train robberies in the Today in History section then click the links below to access loads of train and railroad resources. The First Known…

Today in History: Chief Joseph Surrenders

Today in History: Chief Joseph Surrenders

Today in History–October 5–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Nez Percé Chief Joseph to General Nelson A. Miles on this day in 1877. Learn more about the plight of this Native American tribe in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to Chief Joseph, the Nez Percé, and other…