Indexed map of Boston

City Spotlight: Boston, Massachusetts

Boston maps Boston images Boston Marathon bombing trial courtroom sketch Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass 1904 film TR attends his son Archie’s wedding at Boston 1917 film Boston related books & articles Boston related correspondence, reports, printed ephemera & other texts Boston sheet music The Boston Burglar song lyrics Boston song recordings The Boston Courant newspaper,…

Erin is calling

Today in History: St. Patrick’s Day

Today in History–March 17–the Library of Congress features St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorates the death of the patron saint of Ireland who, as legend has it, died on this date circa 492. The holiday has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century. Across the country today, many people celebrate with parades and…

Featured Source: The Gerry-mander

Featured Source: The Gerry-mander

Curator’s note In 1812, Jeffersonian Republicans forced through the Massachusetts legislature a bill rearranging district lines to assure them an advantage in the upcoming senatorial elections. Although Governor Elbridge Gerry had only reluctantly signed the law, a Federalist editor is said to have exclaimed upon seeing the new district lines, “Salamander! Call it a Gerrymander.”…

Site of Thoreau's hut, Lake Walden, Concord, Mass.

Today in History: Henry David Thoreau

Today in History–July 12–the Library of Congress features writer, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, born on this day in 1817. Thoreau put his belief in living simply to the test by spending two years in a cabin on the edge of Walden Pond, a small glacial lake near Concord, Massachusetts. Find out more about this fascinating man by visiting…

Today in History: Salem Witch Trials

Today in History: Salem Witch Trials

Today in History–March 1–the Library of Congress features the Salem witch trials, which were sparked when Massachusetts authorities charged three women with witchcraft on this day in 1692. Read more about this brief but dark chapter in U.S. history by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Images Texts Books Historical…

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Harvard University, named in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, who died on this day in 1638. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this venerable institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard images Harvard sheet music Harvard…