Today in History–December 30–the Library of Congress features politician John Peter Altgeld, born on this day in 1847. A lawyer, Altgeld served as a city attorney and a county prosecutor before serving on the bench of Cook County's Superior Court from 1886 to 1891. In 1892 he was elected governor of Illinois. A progressive, Altgeld passed penal and legal system reforms, as well as early child and women’s labor legislation. He is most famous, though, for his June, 1893 pardon of three men … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Chicago Anarchists & the Haymarket Affair
December 17, 2013 by 2 Comments
Overview Haymarket Affair Digital Collection—presents original manuscripts, broadsides, photographs, prints and artifacts regarding the Haymarket Affair, an 1886 conflict between labor protestors and members of the Chicago police force. Materials document the events leading up to the May 1886 riot, the arrest and trial of those accused of throwing a bomb that killed several police officers, and the appeal process for those convicted of the bombing, including the eventual pardon of those … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Fugitive Slave Law
December 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Practical illustration of the Fugitive Slave Law Effects of the Fugitive-Slave-Law Triumph Fugitive slave law political cartoons Fugitive slave bill ... Approved, September 18, 1850. Millard Fillmore Things to be remembered. Remember that the Whig administration of Millard Fillmore enacted the Fugitive Slave bill, in violation of the constitution and all the legal safeguards of personal liberty Fugitive Slave Law, Senate Congressional Globe documents Fugitive Slave Law, … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Illinois Civil War Resources
December 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Illinois Civil War books (1800-1929) Illinois Civil War sheet music Illinois Civil War maps Illinois Civil War image set More Illinois Civil War images Illinois soldier historic newspaper coverage (1860-65) “The Union. V. Illinois and Missouri Compared” Continental monthly: devoted to literature and national policy Volume 3, Issue 3, March 1863 YouTube videos Illinois During the Civil War, 1861-1865: Illinois, Native Americans and the Civil War Northern Illinois … [Read more...]
Featured Source: Poor Illinois!
April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about the Haymarket anarchists. Describe and explain something that you discovered. Use the Primary Source Nexus search box to look for more information about Peter Altgeld. Describe and explain his relationship to the Haymarket anarchists. Read the story, "Bloody Battle at a Coal Mine" published in The Salt Lake Herald (Salt Lake City [Utah), 13 Oct. 1898. What insights into the political cartoon does the article give … [Read more...]
Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president sworn into office in January. Check out our 
