Today in History–September 16–the Library of Congress features El Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), first heard on this day in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla urged the largely Indian and mestizo congregation of his small Dolores parish church to fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain. Today, September 16, is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. Find out more by…
Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features William Howard Taft, born on this day in 1857. Taft had a very active political career that included two of our country’s highest posts, President and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about William H. Taft….
Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Harvard University, named in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, who died on this day in 1638. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this venerable institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard images Harvard sheet music Harvard…
Today in History–September 9–the Library of Congress features the Stono Rebellion—the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies prior to the American Revolution—which occurred on this day in 1739. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more slave insurrection primary sources and other resources related to slavery in the United States. A…
Today in History–September 7–the Library of Congress features the Panama Canal. On this date in 1977 U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian Chief of Government Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty, which officially authorized the transfer of the canal’s authority from the United States to the Panama Canal Authority on December 31, 1999. Find…
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features the Rock Springs massacre, which happened on this day in 1885 when a mob of white coal miners attacked their Chinese co-workers after they refused to participate in a strike for higher wages planned by the American miners. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below…
Today in History–August 31–the Library of Congress features the awarding of a federal patent for a kinetographic camera—the forerunner to the motion picture film projector—to Thomas A. Edison on this date in 1897. Find out more by reading the Today in History section and accessing the resources below. Edison’s kinetographic films and parlors Kinetograph historical newspaper coverage Inventing Entertainment: the Motion Pictures and Sound…
Today in History–August 30–the Library of Congress features the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), which ended this date in 1862 with a retreat of Union forces after three days of fighting. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access numerous primary sources and teaching resources related to Bull Run and the…
Today in History–August 22–the Library of Congress features the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC), later renamed the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), which was formed on this day in 1966. Under the leadership of founders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the UFW won many concessions for disenfranchised Mexican-American farmworkers. Find out more by reading the Today in History section, then clicking the…
Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features the burning of the capital city by British troops during the War of 1812. On August 19, 1814 the British landed at Benedict, Maryland. Five days later, on August 24, British forces attacked Washington D.C., setting fire to many government buildings including the White House and the Capitol building (which housed the 3,000-volume Library of…
Today in History–August 12–the Library of Congress features scientist and inventor Thomas A. Edison, who is credited with completing the model of the first phonograph on this day in 1877. Find out more about the “wizard of Menlo Park” by visiting the Today in History section, where you’ll also find links to other Library sound collections. Then click the links below…
Today in History–August 10–the Library of Congress features Missouri, which entered the Union this day in 1821, becoming the twenty-fourth state. Commonly known as the Show Me State, you can learn more about the state’s history and culture by visiting the Today in History section, then following the links below to access more primary source treasures. Missouri stories from America’s Library Missouri primary source set…