The graphic above from the Chicago Metro History Fair (CMHF) is a great encapsulation of how to choose a topic for a history fair project. In addition, ask yourself the questions listed below. Does the topic relate to the 2021 National History Day (NHD) theme Communication in History: The Key to Understanding? Does the topic relate to local or state history? Does the topic really interest you? Do you have a personal connection to the topic? (It’s not necessary but it can be a good … [Read more...]
2019 Library of Congress National Book Festival
August 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The 19th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. The event is free and open to the public. If you can't make, don't worry, as recordings of author presentations will be available at a later date. More than 140 authors, illustrators, and poets will make presentations dedicated to kids, fiction, history, biography, poetry, science, and more. Fascinating thematic programs … [Read more...]
Finding Resources: LOC.gov Quick Links
February 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This teaching resource blog was created to help educators and students teach and learn with primary sources from the Library of Congress. There is a lot of material to browse and search on the Primary Source Nexus, but sometimes you just need to go directly to a particular section of the Library website. But how do you quickly locate and access that section? We've compiled a list of 30 links to get you to the resources you're looking for lightning quick: LOC.gov Quick Links page. … [Read more...]
Today in History: The Library Company of Philadelphia
November 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–November 14–the Library of Congress features the Library Company of Philadelphia, which signed a contract with its first librarian on this date in 1732. The subscription library was actually founded in November 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and friends but they had to wait until books arrived from England. The Library Company's holdings were later made available to the first Continental Congress when it convened in September 1774 and became, in effect, the de facto Library of … [Read more...]
TPS-Barat Opens Spring 2013 Train-the-Trainer Cohort for CPS
January 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Barat Education Foundation invites Chicago Public School (CPS) middle and high school teachers, grades 6-12, as well as network instructional leaders and teacher librarians (K-8, 6-8, or 9-12), to participate in the Spring 2013 cohort of the TPS-Barat Train-the-Trainer program (TPS-Barat TTT). This cohort will run from March through June, 2013. Program Overview The TPS-Barat TTT program focuses on two key areas. The program trains educators how to access and use freely available Library of … [Read more...]
Today in History: Archibald MacLeish
May 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–May 7–the Library of Congress features Archibald MacLeish, born on this day in 1892 in Glencoe, Illinois. MacLeish's interest ranged from literature to law. He won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry and drama and served as the Librarian of Congress and Assistant Secretary of State. Find out more about the "poet librarian" by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related resources. The Warrior Poet (a.k.a. Fellow Traveler No. 1) From the … [Read more...]
Featured Source: Building the Library of Congress
April 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History: Books for Congress
April 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–April 24–the Library of Congress celebrates its own birthday. On this day in 1800, President John Adams approved a $5,000 appropriation to purchase "such books as may be necessary for the use of congress." According to Thomas Jefferson, any book would be useful: " . . . there is in fact no subject to which a member of Congress may not have occasion to refer." Learn more about the Library and its fabulous digital book collections by visiting the Today in History section, then … [Read more...]
Today in History: Thomas Jefferson
April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–April 13–the Library of Congress features Thomas Jefferson, born on this day in 1743. (Actually, he was born on April 2 under the Julian calendar but when Great Britain and its colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 his birthday, along with everyone else’s, was shifted 11 days forward.) Find out more about this multitalented man by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access teaching resources, primary sources and secondary sources … [Read more...]
Today in History: Thomas Jefferson Elected
February 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–February 17–the Library of Congress features Thomas Jefferson, who was elected by the House of Representatives on this day in 1801. The House voted to break a tie in the Electoral College. Find out more about this acrimonious third presidential election by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary sources and resources about this election and the 3rd president of the United States. Individual primary sources Thoughts, on … [Read more...]
Congress abolished the slave trade in Washington D.C., as part of the Compromise of 1850. Check out our 
Elisah Graves Otis sold his first elevator. Check out our 