Today in History–November 13–the Library of Congress features Montreal, Canada, captured on this day in 1775 by American troops led by General Richard Montgomery. The occupation was short-lived and Montgomery was killed a few weeks later in a failed attempt to capture Quebec. Fighting between the United States and Canada ended with the War of 1812….
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 8–the Library of Congress features the great Chicago fire, which began on this day in 1871. The fire took at least 300 lives, left nearly a third of the city’s residents homeless, and leveled more than 18,000 structures (Encyclopedia of Chicago). Learn more about this fire and others that burnt on the same day in Michigan and…
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The September 25, 2012 Today in History post featured William Faulkner, creator of the fictional Yoknapatawpha County which was based upon and inspired by Lafayette County, Mississippi. Find out all about the real state of Mississippi through a review of thousands of primary sources available online from the Library of Congress. Mississippi primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Mississippi…
Today in History–September 21–the Library of Congress features New Mexico. On this day in 1595, Don Juan de Oñate’s petition and contract for the conquest of New Mexico was presented to Luís de Velasco, the viceroy of Nueva Vizcaya. The petition was ultimately granted and Oñate’s expedition set out in 1598. A brutal leader, Oñate was later stripped…
Today in History–September 19–the Library of Congress features the first battle of Saratoga. On this day in 1777, Continental soldiers under American General Horatio Gates defeated the British in Saratoga, New York. A month later, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his British troops at the same place. The American victories at Saratoga turned the tide of the war in favor of…
Today in History–August 24–the Library of Congress features Delaware, the territory of which was deeded to William Penn by order of the Duke of York on this day in 1682. Penn wanted the territory to insure ocean access to the state he founded, Pennsylvania. It would take more than a century for this carved out section of…
Today in History–August 14–the Library of Congress features Oregon, which Congress named a territory on this day in 1848. The territory was massive, encompassing present-day Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and parts of western Montana and Wyoming. The smaller state of Oregon joined the union in 1859. Learn more about Oregon by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary sources. Oregon stories from…
Today in History–August 13–the Library of Congress features a memo from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, written on this day in 1942. Stalin drafted the memorandum to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt opposing their decision not to invade Western Europe. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access resources…
Today in History–July 26–the Library of Congress features Liberia, declared an independent republic on this day in 1847. Formerly a colony of the American Colonization Society—organized in 1817 to resettle free black Americans in West Africa—Joseph Jenkins Roberts was elected the first president of the republic in 1848. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…
Today in History–July 24–the Library of Congress features Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers, who arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah on this day in 1847. The weary group was happy to find their “promised land” after traveling some 1,000 miles from the Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…