Today in History: Executive Orders 9980 & 9981

Today in History: Executive Orders 9980 & 9981

Today in History–July 26–the Primary Source Nexus features two presidential edicts signed by President Harry S. Truman on this date in 1948. Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 mandated, respectively, that “All personnel actions taken by Federal appointing officers shall be based solely on merit and fitness. . .” and “equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Black Women Achievements Against the Odds

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Black Women Achievements Against the Odds

Look closely at this source and respond to the questions below. Where is your eye drawn to first? Next? After? What do you notice about the source’s design? What, in particular, stands out to you? Why do you think this source was created? How do you know? (Be sure to point to evidence from the…

Learning from the Source: Perceptions & Roles of American Women

Learning from the Source: Perceptions & Roles of American Women

Enduring understanding Time, place, and culture influence our perspectives on people and issues. Essential question How have perceptions of women in America and their roles in society evolved over time? Lesson prep Review and read all primary sources. Prepare primary sources for online or paper analysis. Have packs of sticky notes (three different colors) available….

Today in History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Today in History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Today in History–November 12–the Library of Congress features women’s rights leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, born on this date in 1815. The daughter of a judge, Stanton was devoted to her studies but her higher education aspirations were thwarted because of her gender. This experience helped inform her philosophy on individual rights. She later became a…

Primary Source Learning: Postwar United States (1945-1968) Primary Source Set

Primary Source Learning: Postwar United States (1945-1968) Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1945-1968. The wartime economy led to new economic prosperity for the United States and expanded opportunities for many, but certainly not all its citizens. As a result, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American women took up the fight for civil…

Today in History: The Seneca Falls Convention

Today in History: The Seneca Falls Convention

  Today in History–July 20–the Library of Congress features day two of the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention, which was held July 19-20 in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. Find out more about the fascinating women who convened there and their long struggle for equality visiting the Today (July 19) in History and Today (July 20) in…