Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell’s knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help…
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Today in History–March 4–the Library of Congress features the first inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln, conducted on this date in 1861. Times were tense and Lincoln delivered his inaugural address under the guard of riflemen. In the speech he called for compromise and appealed for the preservation of the Union. Learn more about President Lincoln’s first day in office by…
Today in History–February 26–the Library of Congress features Acadia National Park in Maine. On this day in 1919, Congress approved an Act to Establish the Lafayette National Park at Mt. Desert Island. Ten years later this coastal Maine park expanded and was renamed Acadia National Park. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section then discovering the primary source linked to below. Acadia National Park…
Millard Fillmore’s messages to Congress Message to the Senate announcing the death of President Zachary Taylor July 9, 1850 First Annual Message to Congress Second Annual Message to Congress Third Annual Message to Congress Documents The agitation of slavery. Who commenced! And who can end it!! Buchanan and Fillmore compared from the record. 1856 pamphlet “Read! Read!!” Being a reply…
From America’s Library: Born: February 23, 1868 Died: August 27, 1963 William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a noted scholar, editor, and African American activist. Du Bois was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP — the largest and oldest civil rights organization in America). Throughout his life Du Bois…
Hockey image set (ice and field hockey) How to play hockey guides & other books (ice and field hockey) Topics in Chronicling America – Pacific Coast Hockey Association (1912-1919) Historical newspaper coverage of ice hockey Hockey match on the ice (1898 film) King of Winter Sports Inside Adams: Science, Technology & Business blog post A Whirlwind History of Diversity…
From America’s Library: Born: About 1864 (exact date is unknown) Died: January 5, 1943 George Washington Carver was born a slave in Diamond Grove, Missouri, around 1864. He is one of the nation’s most famous agricultural scientists. He is best known for his research on peanuts and his commitment to helping poor Southern African American farmers. Carver…
From America’s Library Born: c. 1820, Dorchester County, Maryland Died: March 10, 1913, Auburn, New York Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave from Maryland who became known as the “Moses of her people.” Over the course of 10 years, and at great personal risk, she led hundreds of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad, a secret…
Teddy bears got their name from Theodore Roosevelt. He had a soft heart for animals in general and in particular for a bear that his aides cornered and thought he would like as a hunting trophy. The incident inspired the cartoon illustration above which, in turn, inspired a New York toy store owner to create…
From America’s Library: Born: February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, KentuckyDied: April 15, 1865, assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Known for leading the country through the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. His eloquence is evident in many speeches including his most famous one, the Gettysburg Address. His second…
From America’s Library: Born: July 11, 1767 Died: Feb. 23, 1848 John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States and the first son of a former president who himself became president. (George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush are the only other father-son presidents.) John Quincy Adams was well known for his diplomatic success…