Today in History: Erie Canal

Today in History: Erie Canal

Today in History–October 26–the Library of Congress features the Erie Canal, which opened on this day in 1825. Harnessing gravity, the 363-mile waterway flowed from Buffalo, New York on the east coast of Lake Erie to the upper Hudson River at Albany. Decried by many as “Clinton’s Folly”, New York Governor  DeWitt Clinton, the canal proved to be tremendously successful and encouraged settlement of the…

Today in History: C&O Canal

Today in History: C&O Canal

Today in History–October 10–the Library of Congress features Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which opened on this day in 1850. The 184.5-mile C&O canal connected Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland and took 22 years to complete (ground was broken on the same day as the B&O Railroad). Find out more about the history of early river transportation by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Primary Source Learning: Expansion & Reform Primary Source Set

Primary Source Learning: Expansion & Reform Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1815-1860, when the United States expanded dramatically geographically, displacing native peoples. But this time was also one of striving for social reforms (promoting temperance, creating public school systems, improving the treatment of prisoners, the insane, and the poor, abolishing…

Today in History: Brigham Young & the Mormon Pioneers

Today in History: Brigham Young & the Mormon Pioneers

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…

Learning from the Source: Indian Territory Resettlement

Learning from the Source: Indian Territory Resettlement

In his article, “Thinking Like an Historian“, from the TPS Quarterly archive (now the TPS Journal), Sam Wineburg points out how many students’ view of history—memorization—diverges from that of historians—investigation—and offers advice for using primary sources to engage students in the “historical approach”. Doing so will help students make more authentic and lasting connections to important…

Today in History: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today in History: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today in History–May 25–the Library of Congress features the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, born on this day in 1803. A leader in the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced forward-looking social reforms including abolition, temperance, and woman suffrage. Learn more about this writer and poet by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access related resources. Books & articles by Ralph Waldo Emerson…

Today in History: First Telegraphic Message Sent

Today in History: First Telegraphic Message Sent

Today in History–May 24–the Library of Congress features the first telegraphic message, sent on this day in 1844 by Samuel F. B. Morse. This invention opened up a whole new era in communications. Learn more about Morse the inventor, Morse the painter, and the telegraph by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access numerous related primary…

Today in History: Stephen A. Douglas

Today in History: Stephen A. Douglas

Today in History–April 23–the Library of Congress features Stephen A. Douglas, born on this day in 1813. This politician, known as the “little giant”,  served as a U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate. Find out more about the man who went toe to toe with Abraham Lincoln by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about…

Today in History: Remembering the Alamo

Today in History: Remembering the Alamo

Today in History–March 6–the Library of Congress remembers the Alamo, which was recaptured by Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on this day in 1836. An estimated 1,000 to 1,600 Mexican soldiers died in the the 13-day siege and all 189 Texan defenders officially listed were killed. Learn more about the circumstances that helped Texas forces to gain independence from…