Today in History: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

Today in History: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

Today in History–July 28–the Library of Congress features Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, born on this date in 1929. One of the United States’ most prominent first ladies, Kennedy focused on restoring the White House and was a great supporter of the arts. She was in the motorcade with President John F. Kennedy the day he was…

Primary Source Spotlight: Albert Einstein

Primary Source Spotlight: Albert Einstein

Library of Congress blog posts Einstein at 100: Mapping the Universe Worlds Revealed: Geography & Maps December 2, 2015 Einstein’s Folklore December 18, 2013 Folklife Today Celebrate Einstein’s Birthday with Pi March 14, 2011 Inside Adams Albert Einstein background & primary sources Nobel Media “Albert Einstein lived here” April 19, 1955 political cartoon by Herb Block (scroll down page to read curator’s…

Primary Source Spotlight: Robert Frost

Primary Source Spotlight: Robert Frost

Robert Frost poems & poetry books “A Hillside Thaw” c 1930 “A Mood Apart” 1945 “The Runaway” c 1930 “My November Guest“ North of Boston 1914 A Boy’s Will 1915 Mountain Interval 1921 Robert Frost Reads Poem at JFK’s Inauguration January 20, 1961 from America’s Library Frost Inaugural poetry “Dedication” Robert Frost’s Presidential Inaugural Poem typescript with Frost’s…

Today in History: Charles Julius Guiteau

Today in History: Charles Julius Guiteau

Today in History–December 31–the Library of Congress features presidential assassin Charles Julius Guiteau. On this date in 1881, Guiteau penned a New Year’s letter to his jailer while awaiting trial for the assassination of President James Garfield.  On July 2, 1881 Guiteau had shot the newly elected president who died seventy-nine days later of infections from the bullet wound. Guiteau’s trial…

Today in History: Washington’s Continental Congress Correspondence

Today in History: Washington’s Continental Congress Correspondence

Today in History–March 24–the Library of Congress features a letter George Washington wrote to the Continental Congress on this date in 1776, one week after British troops evacuated Boston but remained nearby. In the letter General Washington expressed his surprise and disappointment at the situation and went on to describe the exploits of the British in the area….

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Leonard Bernstein illustrated letter

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Leonard Bernstein illustrated letter

Leonard Bernstein was a famous American composer and conductor. Don’t read the words, just study the illustrations. Zoom into the images online. What is the setting? What is the story? Now read the letter. Challenge yourself to decipher the writing on the pages, then read the transcript. How does the actual letter compare with the…

Today in History: Mary Todd Lincoln

Today in History: Mary Todd Lincoln

Today in History–November 2–the Library of Congress features Mary Todd Lincoln. On this day in 1862, Ms. Lincoln wrote a letter to her husband the president, advising him to remove the hesitant Gen. George B. McClellan from command. Learn more about this first lady by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more correspondence and other…

Today in History: Siege of Fort Meigs

Today in History: Siege of Fort Meigs

Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress features the siege of Fort Meigs by Shawnee military leader Tecumseh and British general Henry A. Proctor on this day in 1813.  But the invaders were unsuccessful as General William Henry Harrison held onto the fort that he had ordered built on the Maumee River above Toledo, Ohio. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Today in History: The Birth of a Nation

Today in History: The Birth of a Nation

Today in History–February 8–the Library of Congress features the controversial silent film, The Birth of a Nation, which premiered on this day in 1915. Although the film advanced the art of cinema, it did so by telling a story with a skewed, racist vision of U.S. history. Protested by many, the film was ultimately a great commercial success….

Today in History: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

Today in History: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

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…

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

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…