Portion of business section and harbor, San Diego, California

Today in History: San Diego, California

Today in History–September 28–the Library of Congress features San Diego, California. On this date in 1542 Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay under the Spanish flag. Learn about the evolution of this southern California city by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay…

Mr. N.C. Goodwin and Miss Maxine Elliott in Nathan Hale by Clyde Fitch

Today in History: Nathan Hale

Today in History–September 22–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, who was hanged for spying on British troops on this date in 1776. This teacher turned soldier is famous for the words he allegedly spoke before his execution, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Find out more about patriot Nathan…

The new picture of the eagle

Primary Source Spotlight: American Eagle

Our National Bird In Custodia Legis blog November 27, 2015 American eagle image set Bald eagle image set American eagle sheet music American eagle march streaming song recording The American eagle against the British lion! 1844 broadside Historical American newspaper mentions: American eagle Contemporary U.S. legislation related to the American eagle The Bald Eagle, Creature of Nature…

At the Morse and Whitmore granite quarries in East Barre, Vermont

Today in History: American Federation of Labor & Quarry Workers

Today in History–September 08–the Library of Congress features the Quarry Workers’ International Union of North America, which was granted a charter by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) on this date in 1903. While granite had been mined around the area of Barre, Vermont for years, new waves of immigrants with a strong tradition of unionism arrived in the late 19th…

Los Angeles as it appeared in 1871

Today in History: Los Angeles, California

Today in History–September 04–the Library of Congress features El Pueblo de la Reyna de Los Angeles (The Town of the Queen of the Angels) founded on this day in 1781. Located between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles remained independent until it was taken in a bloodless effort by U.S. forces during the Mexican…

Van Allen office building, designed by celebrated Chicago School architect Louis H. Sullivan, Chicago, Illinois

Today in History: Louis H. Sullivan

Today in History–September 3–the Library of Congress features architect Louis H. Sullivan, born on this day in 1856 in Boston, Massachusetts. Sullivan moved to Chicago early in his career in 1873. After the great Chicago fire of 1871 there was much work to do and Sullivan became a pioneer in the design of skyscrapers known for his core philosophy that…

How Sherman's veterans took Atlanta

Today in History: Fall of Atlanta

Today in History–September 1–the Library of Congress features the fall of Atlanta. On this date in 1864, Confederate General John B. Hood evacuated and left the city in Union hands. The capture of this crucial Confederate supply center by William T. Sherman helped ensure the re-election of President Abraham Lincoln two months later. Find out more about the events preceding and following the…

The San Francisco call. (San Francisco [Calif.]), 23 May 1905

State Spotlight: Nevada

Nevada stories from America’s Library Nevada primary source set with teacher’s guide Nevada resource guide Nevada maps Nevada images Nevada sheet music Nevada songs & oral histories Nevada films and webcasts Nevada books & other texts Correspondence related to Nevada Nevada historical newspapers Nevada: U.S. legislation Nevada Guide to Law Online Primary Election Laws: Nevada In Custodia Legis blog February 22, 2016 Nevada map QFT lesson plan…

Russia--administrative divisions

World Spotlight: Russia & the Former Soviet Union

These primary source collections relate to Russia as well as the former Soviet Union. Online exhibitions Revelations from the Russian Archives  Russian Photographs, 1992-2002: Reflections World Digital Library sources Russia primary source set Soviet Union primary source set Meeting of Frontiers, Russia & America in Alaska bilingual, multimedia English-Russian digital library Images Prokudin-Gorskii Collection color photos from the…

Galbraith's railway mail service maps, Iowa

State Spotlight: Iowa

Iowa stories from America’s Library Iowa primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Iowa-focused primary source sets address national and international history as well as Iowa-specific history Iowa’s People & Places primary & secondary sources Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Iowa maps Iowa images Iowa sheet music Iowa songs & oral histories Iowa books & other texts Iowa historical newspapers Iowa broadsides & printed ephemera Lao Natasinh…

Benjamin Harrison

Presidential Spotlight: Benjamin Harrison

Term: 23rd President of the United States (1889–1893) Born: August 20, 1833, North Bend, Ohio Nickname: “Kid Gloves Harrison,” “Little Ben” Education: Miami University (Ohio), graduated 1852 Religion: Presbyterian Marriage: October 20, 1853, to Caroline Lavinia Scott (1832–1892) April 6, 1896, to Mary Scott Lord Dimmick (1858–1948) Children: Russell Benjamin (1854–1936), Mary Scott (1858–1930), Elizabeth…