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 them she tells an American story of tradition and loss, reckoning and myth-making. Her work powerfully connects us to the earth and the spiritual world with … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Foundational Lessons in Democracy & Civil Discourse
February 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
"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 John Adam's tenure as president of the United States and is the lead paragraph of a book review from the Christian Science Monitor of Friends … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Jewish Passover
April 12, 2017 by 1 Comment
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 Joel ben Simeon & the … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Betty Friedan
March 6, 2017 by Leave a Comment
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 Organization of Women on its 40th anniversary First Measured Century: Interview: Betty Friedan PBS Betty … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: Strong-Weak Government
September 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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 with? What questions do you still have? Compare and contrast this cartoon with this sheet music from 1868. Explain how you think each … [Read more...]
Guided Primary Source Analysis: The Carpet-bagger
September 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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 this song takes and provide reasons for your conclusion. If possible, get someone to play the tune then closely read through … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Digital Stories of Our Heroes
May 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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, students will . . . visit the Library of Congress website and other websites to familiarize themselves with the time period or … [Read more...]
Today in History: Duke Ellington
April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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 not limited to jazz; he also wrote oratorios, suites, concertos, and even opera, as well as for the Broadway stage, movies, television, nightclubs, … [Read more...]
Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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 end racial discrimination, King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and joined the civil right movement. In less than a … [Read more...]
Today in History: Air Raid on Pearl Harbor
December 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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 war on Japan. Learn more about this fateful day in U.S. history by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access … [Read more...]
The island of Jamaica is first spotted by Christopher Columbus. Check out our 
William M. Inge born. Learn 