Assassination of James King, of William, corner of Montgomery and Washington Streets, San Francisco, California

Today in History: Committee of Vigilance & Vigilantes

Today in History–May 15–the Library of Congress features San Francisco‘s second Committee of Vigilance organized on this day in 1856 to combat crime in the boomtown. Committee members were overwhelming Republicans and Democrat “crooks” were often the target of the vigilance. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to…

L. Frank Baum and His Popular Books for Children. Chicago and New York: George M. Hill,1901. Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society

Today in History: L. Frank Baum

Today in History–May 15–the Library of Congress features The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum, born on this day in 1856. Lyman Frank Baum was in his 40s by the time he became a bestselling author. Learn more about this writer and the extraordinary success of the Oz mass media franchise by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below…