The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) leads the Inquiry in the Upper Midwest (IUM) project, which delivers professional development for teachers in Minnesota and Wisconsin and primary-source based curriculum resources for teachers throughout the country, with a particular focus on inquiry, primary sources and culturally relevant pedagogy. View their archived professional development webinars and stay connected…
This set of primary sources and teaching resources focuses, primarily, on the time period 1800-1860. Western expansion stories from America’s Library Western expansion timeline (includes primary source activities) Primary source sets Western expansion (includes teacher guide) Primary Source Learning: Expansion & Reform (includes learning activity) Donner party primary sources Primary source collections Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Books from…
Today in History–May 17–the Library of Congress features Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on this date in commemoration of the 1814 adoption of Norway’s constitution. Learn more about this Northern European country and Norwegian Americans by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below to access related primary sources. Glad Syttonde Mai! Celebration of…
Today in History–May 11–the Library of Congress features Minnesota, which became the 32nd state in the Union on this day in 1858. Learn more about the “star of the north” also known as the “land of 10,000 lakes”, by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Minnesota stories from America’s Library Minnesota primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Minnesota…
Today in History–February 29–the Library of Congress features captivity narratives. On this day in 1704, French soldiers and their Native American allies raided a frontier settlement in Massachusetts, killing many and forcing more to march through heavy snows to Canada (New France). Read more about this incident and other captivity narratives by visiting the Today in History section, then click the…
Today in History–February 7–the Library of Congress features writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, born on this date in 1867. Ingalls Wilder became well known for her semi-autobiographical stories collectively known as the Little House on the Prairie series. Learn more this iconic writer of American pioneer life and discover primary sources that will help illuminate her stories by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking…
Today in History–October 31–the Library of Congress features Halloween. On this day many Americans celebrate spookiness and becoming someone else by dressing in costumes. To learn more about the origins of this fun-filled holiday and ideas for finding unique Halloween primary sources, visit the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary sources related to Halloween, ghosts,…