Today in History–January 1–the Library of Congress features Ellis Island. On this date in 1892 a fifteen-year old Irish girl named Annie Moore became the first person to pass through the doors of the Ellis Island Immigration Station. Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants, as many at 5,000 a day, passed through Ellis Island to start…
Today in History–December 17–the Library of Congress features the first flights of the Wright brothers, flown on this day in 1903. Orville piloted the first flight that lasted 12 seconds and 120 feet and Wilbur piloted the fourth and final flight, remaining airborne for 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click…
Today in History–December 11–the Library of Congress features the boll weevil, a cotton crop destroying insect which was honored by the town of Enterprise, Alabama on this day in 1919. Why? Because although the pest devastated the area’s cotton fields, residents were forced to end their dependence on cotton and to pursue mixed farming and…
Today in History–December 10–the Library of Congress features Wyoming, which granted women the right to vote on this day in 1869 while still a U.S. territory. Three months later the first women jurors reported for duty in Laramie, attracting international attention. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture…
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–December 6–the Library of Congress features the Washington Monument, completed on this day in 1884. Construction began on July 4, 1848 but stopped for 20 years owing to a lack of funds. Construction was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under order from President Ulysses S. Grant. The 555-foot, 5-1/8″ marble obelisk honors…
Today in History—December 3—the Library of Congress features Illinois, which entered the Union as the 21st state on this day in 1818. Illinois is an Algonquin word meaning “tribe of superior men”; today the state is referred to as the Land of Lincoln and is one of the most populous of all the United States. Learn…
Today in History–November 20–the Library of Congress features Howard University, founded on this day in 1866. Originally established as a seminary for African-American clergymen, the founders soon broadened their mission to include liberal arts and medicine. The university was named for one of its founders, Major General Oliver O. Howard, a Civil War hero and commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau. Find out…
Today in History–November 2–the Library of Congress features North Dakota, which entered the Union as the 39th state on this day in 1889. Visit the Today in History section to learn about the history and culture of the “Peace Garden” state, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. North Dakota primary source set with teacher’s guide North Dakota resource guide…
Today in History–October 24–the Library of Congress features the United Nations. On this day in 1945 the U.N. charter was ratified. Derived from the 1942 Declaration by United Nations—26 nations pledged to continue fighting against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) in World War II—the final U.N. charter was signed by 51 member countries. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then…
Today in History–October 23–the Library of Congress features the Lend-Lease Act. On this day in 1941 the U.S. stepped closer to direct involvement in World War II when the Senate passed a $5.98 billion supplemental Lend-Lease bill. The Lend-Lease Act, passed in March, 1941, gave President Roosevelt nearly unlimited power to provide the Allies with material aid without officially…
Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features baseball great Jackie Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the second game of the 1972 World Series game on this day. The game also featured a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of breaking the color line, which Jackson did in 1947 when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He finished…