On June 19, 2019, Joy Harjo was appointed the 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. On making the appointment, Dr. Hayden said: Joy Harjo has championed the art of poetry—‘soul talk’ as she calls it—for over four decades. To her, poems are ‘carriers of dreams, knowledge and wisdom,’ and through…
“Conspiracy theories run amok. Fear of spies and meddling in American politics at the highest levels by foreign powers. A bipartisan divide so bitter that the federal government moves to muzzle what many politicians believe to be a biased, out-of-control news media.” Current events? Actually, the excerpt paints a picture of the political climate during…
The Jewish passover of 1858 Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1858 April 10 American Colony (Jerusalem) Passover photos early 20th century More Passover photos Jewish Passover historical newspaper coverage Siddur: Jewish holy day prayer book Hagadat Pesaḥ ha-ḥadashah = The new Passover Haggadah 2006 book Hagadat Moriyah The Moriah Haggadah English translation and explanation of images Haggadah shel Pesah (Passover Haggadah) curator note…
Betty Friedan photos Betty Friedan The Feminine Mystique 1963 A Conversation with Betty Friedan streaming webcast ‘The Revolution Is Not Over’ Betty Friedan on Women Changing America Library of Congress Information Bulletin April 2005 – Vol. 64, No. 4 109 HRES 695 IH: Honoring the life and accomplishments of Betty Friedan 109 HCON 475 IH: To congratulate the National…
Zoom into a more detailed image of this cartoon. Using only the details from the cartoon, what main point do you think the cartoonist was trying to make. For help reading cartoons, review It’s No Laughing Matter. Then review the cartoon’s source record and this definition of carpetbagger. What insights into this cartoon does this new information provide you…
Read this brief description of carpetbaggers and scalawags from History.com. Next review this Encyclopedia of Virginia entry on Benjamin F. Butler, being sure to read at least the introductory paragraph as well as the first paragraph under the New Orleans header. Now look closely at the cover of this sheet music. Describe the perspective of carpetbaggers that you think…
Engage students with a real-world activity that has them learning about U.S. history while adding to the collective American memory. This project allows students to learn and use interview and digital presentation skills to discover, elicit, and relate the stories of local veterans and others who contributed during times of conflict. To complete this project,…
Today in History–April 29–the Library of Congress features jazz great Duke Ellington, born on this date in 1899. Ellington started to play piano at age 7 and wrote his first song–Soda Fountain Rag–at age 15. By his late teens, he was earning enough money to help his parents move into a better house. Ellington’s musical versatility was astounding and…
Today in History–January 15–the Library of Congress features civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. King entered Morehouse College at 15, received a bachelor of divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D from Boston University in 1955. Armed with his doctorate and belief in the use of non-violent action to…
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–September 12–the Library of Congress features writer H.L. Mencken, born on this day in 1880. Mencken was best known for his biting social commentary; scholarly understanding of American usage of the English language; and support of emerging writers, including Theodore Dreiser, Sinclair Lewis, Sherwood Anderson, and James Joyce. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more…
Today in History–July 3–the Library of Congress features the Battle of Gettysburg, which ended on this date in 1863. This three-day battle was won by the Union, but at tremendous cost to both sides–over 51,000 soldiers were killed or wounded. Find out more about this battle in the Today in History section (see July 1 and July 2 as…