Students deepen their understanding of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution with this primary source image sequencing activity. Lesson implementation Direct students to work individually, in pairs or in small groups to write a definition of the word “democracy”. When students have finished, tell them that the word “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “authority.” Ask them if they now want to revise the definitions they … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Preamble to the Constitution Image Sequencing
September 14, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Today in History: World Transportation Commission
April 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–April 27–the Library of Congress features the World Transportation Commission (WTC). On this date in 1895, Harper's Weekly carried a story on theWTC's visit to Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka. The WTC was organized by a railroad publicist to find out more about international railroads and other foreign transportation systems. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources. "Around the World with the … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: League of Nations
August 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Topics in Chronicling America - League of Nations More League of Nations historical newspaper coverage League of Nations texts, including address transcripts 1916-1929 Speeches about the League of Nations audio recordings and transcripts The League of Nations: A Pictoral Survey 1925-28 League of Nations mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection League of Nations sheet music World War I: A New World Order — Woodrow Wilson's First Draft of the League of Nations … [Read more...]
Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell
March 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell's knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help save President James A, Garfield. Unfortunately, the attempt to locate the assassin's bullet was unsuccessful. … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Print Advertising Across the Centuries
September 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Overview Advertisements showcase products and the latest technology while reflecting life and society as we know it, or wish it to be. This project encourages students to use their natural curiosity about the similarities between the past, present, and future to analyze and compare and contrast historical, contemporary, and hypothetical print advertisements of the future.* To complete this project, students will . . . learn about advertising persuasion techniques. analyze a … [Read more...]
Today in History: Jackie Robinson
October 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
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 that first season as baseball's Rookie of the Year, batting .297 and leading the National League with 29 stolen bases. Learn more … [Read more...]
Today in History: F. Scott Fitzgerald
September 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 24–the Library of Congress features writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, born on this day in 1896. Named for his distant cousin Francis Scott Key, author of the The Star-Spangled Banner. Fitzgerald also enjoyed instant success with his first writing effort, the novel This Side of Paradise. Five years later Fitzgerald's most celebrated novel, The Great Gatsby, was published. Learn more about this iconic American author by visiting the Today in History section, then click the … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Indian Territory Resettlement
June 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
![Indian territory [1887]: compiled from the official records of the records of the General Land Office and other sources under supervision of Geo. U. Mayo.](https://primarysourcenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/INTerritory-110x110.jpg)
In his article, "Thinking Like an Historian", from the TPS Quarterly archive (now the TPS Journal), Sam Wineburg points out how many students' view of history—memorization—diverges from that of historians—investigation—and offers advice for using primary sources to engage students in the "historical approach". Doing so will help students make more authentic and lasting connections to important historical themes and events as well as give them practice in key Common Core State Standards in … [Read more...]
Today in History: Alaska Purchase
March 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–March 30–the Library of Congress features the United States purchase of Alaska from Russia, which Secretary of State William Seward agreed to on this day in 1867. Opponents of the $7.2 million purchase called it "Seward's Folly" but opinions changed following the discovery of gold and, later, oil. Learn more by reviewing the Today in History section, then clicking the links below. Alaska Purchase from America's Library Meeting of Frontiers: Alaska - The Alaska … [Read more...]
Today in History: Laura Ingalls Wilder
February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–February 7–the Library of Congress features writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, born on this date in 1867. Ingalls Wilder became well known for her semi-autobiographical stories collectively known as the Little House on the Prairie series. Learn more this iconic writer of American pioneer life and discover primary sources that will help illuminate her stories by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below. Laura Ingalls Wilder Born from America's … [Read more...]
James Monroe wrote letter to friend and former president Thomas Jefferson seeking advice on foreign policy. Check out our