Mount Vesuvias

Collections Spotlight: Volcanoes

Volcano maps Volcano images U.S. historical newspaper coverage: volcano eruptions Krakatoa Volcano Eruption (1883): Topics in Chronicling America select articles & timeline Books, reports & other texts about volcanoes U.S. legislation related to volcanoes U.S. Geological Survey: Volcano Hazards Program Places in the News articles related to volcanoes Japan: Active Volcanoes Special Measures Act Amended…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Chinese Citizenship in Hawaii

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Chinese Citizenship in Hawaii

This 1906 newspaper article quotes a 1904 magazine editorial, which sums up the “widely prevailing sentiment against the Chinese immigrant laborer in the United States.” Make a list of the arguments for the “defense of our political antagonism to the Chinaman”. The first page of the newspaper article responds to three arguments. Choose one and summarize the comparisons…

USS Arizona, at height of fire, following Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Today in History: Air Raid on Pearl Harbor

Today in History–December 7–the Library of Congress features the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on this day in 1941. A hurried Navy dispatch sent out the news: AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL. More than 2,300 Americans were killed, 160 aircraft were destroyed, and 12 ships sank. The next day the United States declared…

Today in History: Hawaii

Today in History: Hawaii

Today in History–November 7–the Library of Congress features Hawaii, which ratified a state constitution on this day in 1950 (it officially became the 50th state on August 21, 1959). Find out more about the history and culture of the Crossroads of the Pacific by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more fabulous primary sources. Oahu Railway…

Today in History: Duke Kahanamoku – Surfing & Swimming

Today in History: Duke Kahanamoku – Surfing & Swimming

Today in History–August 11–the Library of Congress features swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, also known as the “father of international surfing“, who broke the world record in the 100-yard freestyle swim by 4.6 seconds in Honolulu Harbor on this day in 1911. Kahanamoku went on to win numerous gold and silver medals in several Olympic Games and helped to repopularize surfing as a sport. Find out…