Today in History–April 22–the Library of Congress features Earth Day, first celebrated on this day in 1970. Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who wanted to raise public consciousness about air and water pollution. It is estimated that 20 million people nationwide attended events on the first Earth Day. Learn…
Today in History–April 15–the Library of Congress features tax day, the day on which income taxes are usually due each year. Although the United States raised revenue through taxes from the beginning—early taxes were levied on whiskey and tobacco—income tax was first levied from 1862-1872. It was again instituted in 1894 for a year before the Supreme…
Today in History–April 8–the Library of Congress features the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was funded by the the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved on this day in 1935. This national works program, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in…
Today in History–March 25–the Library of Congress features Maryland. On this date the state celebrates the 1634 arrival of the first colonists to the land chartered to Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore. One of the original 13 colonies, today Maryland is known as the “free” state. Learn more about this state on the Eastern seaboard by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the…
Today in History–March 4–the Library of Congress features Idaho. On this date in 1863 President Lincoln signed an act creating Idaho Territory. The area burgeoned and was admitted to the Union as a state in 1890. Learn more about this gem of a state by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to thousands of primary sources related to…
Today in History–February 26–the Library of Congress features the Grand Canyon. On this date in 1919 Congress established Grand Canyon National Park in the state of Arizona. Learn more about this magnificent place, considered by many to be one of the earth’s most spectacular natural wonders, by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below. Primary sources The physical geology…
Today in History–February 25–the Library of Congress features the British surrender of Fort Sackville at Vincennes, Indiana on this date in 1779. Despite a 1763 prohibition against western settlement, colonists had continued to travel to Indiana and other areas west of the Appalachians. Learn more about the defense of Fort Sackville by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links…
China primary sources from the World Digital Library collection China maps China books & other texts China: historical U.S. newspaper coverage China / Chinese: song recordings & oral histories China / Chinese: sheet music China: U.S. veteran’s stories China / Chinese films & webcasts Images of China Images of Chinese Chinese flutes artifact images U.S. legislation related to…
Today in History–February 19–the Library of Congress features Columbus, Georgia. On this date in 1917, future literary star Carson McCullers was born. Learn more about the city that influenced author Carson McCullers writing by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to thousands of primary sources related to the city of Columbus and the state of Georgia. Carson McCullers…
Today in History–February 18–the Library of Congress features Charleston, South Carolina, which surrendered control to Union forces on this date in 1865. Learn more about this southern city that played a leading role in the events leading up to the Civil War by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to numerous related primary sources. Charleston maps Charleston images Charleston…
Today in History–February 12–the Library of Congress features painter Thomas Moran, born on this date in 1837. In 1871 Moran joined a scientific exploration of lands along the Yellowstone River headed by Ferdinand V. Hayden. Moran’s paintings, together with photographer William Henry Jackson’s photographs, helped spur public interest in the area and convince Congress to set aside the Yellowstone area as a…
Today in History–January 23–the Library of Congress features career pioneer Elizabeth Blackwell, who graduated from medical school on this date in 1849. She was the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. Learn more about this trailblazing woman by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links listed below. Group portrait of members of the…