Primary Source Spotlight: U.S. History by Time Period

Primary Source Spotlight: U.S. History by Time Period

Transatlantic Encounters & Colonial Beginnings Colonial North America American Revolution The Early Republic Territorial Expansion & Manifest Destiny Transformation in Antebellum America Civil War & Reconstruction Origins of the New South Western Expansion The U.S. & the World Around the Turn of the 20th Century Populism & Progressivism World War I The 1920s The Great…

World Spotlight: Antarctica

World Spotlight: Antarctica

Antarctica primary source set from the World Digital Library Antarctica maps Antarctica images Books and reports about Antarctica U.S. historical newspaper coverage about Antarctica Event recordings related to Antarctica Oral histories of U.S. veterans with service in Antarctica U.S. legislation related to Antarctica Guide to Law Online: Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XLIV 2022 Story Map: History of…

A coldness between them

Guided Primary Source Analysis: A coldness between them

Look at a more detailed image of this cartoon. Without conducting any further research, what can you infer about these two men just by looking closing at the cartoon’s details? Collaborate with others to find out more about the controversy surrounding the two men depicted in this cartoon. What details, if any, from the cartoon are referenced in the…

Primary Source Learning: The Places You’ll Go with Maps

Primary Source Learning: The Places You’ll Go with Maps

The Library of Congress has custody of the largest and most comprehensive cartographic collection in the world and there are so many places you can visit with the Library of Congress’ fabulous digitized map collections. Take a look at the wide variety of maps you can explore in incredible detail and discover engaging primary source…

Our restless earth

Today in History: Gilbert Grosvenor & National Geographic

Today in History–October 28–the Library of Congress features editor and president of the National Geographic Society, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, born on this date in 1875. Just 9 years after immigrating from Turkey to the United States, Grosvenor began working as an assistant editor at National Geographic upon the recommendation of family friend Alexander Graham Bell. Just four years…

map of New Mexican missions

Today in History: New Mexico

Today in History–September 21–the Library of Congress features New Mexico. On this day in 1595, Don Juan de Oñate’s petition and contract for the conquest of New Mexico was presented to Luís de Velasco, the viceroy of Nueva Vizcaya. The petition was ultimately granted and Oñate’s expedition set out in 1598. A brutal leader, Oñate was later stripped…

The first sight of the new world - Columbus discovering America

Today in History: Christopher Columbus

Today in History–August 3–the Library of Congress features Christopher Columbus, who set sail for what would later be known as the new world on this day in 1492. Columbus had the most modern maritime tools on his ship, including a mariner’s compass, an astrolabe, a cross-staff, and a quadrant and, quite possibly, the popular mariner map Ptolemy’s Geography or Cosmography. A little…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Lewis & Clark Compass & Magnet

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Lewis & Clark Compass & Magnet

Describe the type of person would need these objects. For what purposes would the person use the objects? These objects are from 1802. Describe what a compass and magnet are like today. Explain how someone would use a compass and magnet today. Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to find information about William Clark. What did he do and who was…

Today in History: Discovery of Kiska Island, Alaska

Today in History: Discovery of Kiska Island, Alaska

Today in History–October 25–the Library of Congress features the discovery of Kiska Island, Alaska on this day in 1752. Learn more about the final voyage of the navigator and explorer Captain-Commander Vitus Jonassen Bering by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more singular primary sources related to Kiska Island and Alaska. Bering, Chirikov, and Gvozdev The Russian Discovery of…