Today in History–June 21–the Library of Congress features Samuel H. Gottscho and William H. Schleisner. On this date in 1934, Samuel Herman Gottscho snapped a photograph of the north facade of the Nebraska state capitol in Lincoln. A photography enthusiast, Gottscho was a traveling salesman for 23 year before becoming a professional photographer in 1925 at the age of fifty. His son-in-law William H. Schleisner joined him in the business in 1935. Find out more by visiting the Today in … [Read more...]
Today in History: The New Deal
June 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–June 16–the Library of Congress features the New Deal. On this date in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, which created the Public Works Administration. FDR's New Deal domestic agenda provided jobs through a series of public works programs. In fact, millions of Americans found work through programs such as the Works Progress Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Find out more … [Read more...]
Today in History: Walker Evans
July 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features photojournalist Walker Evans. On this date in 1936 Evans took a leave of absence from from the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to accept a summer assignment with Fortune magazine. Evans and writer James McGee worked together to document the lives of sharecropper families in Alabama, which would eventually be published in the book, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Great Depression & World War II Primary Source Set
April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1929-1945. At the depths of the great depression, which followed the stock market crash in October 1929, over one-quarter of the American workforce was out of work. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted a variety of "New Deal" programs and told U.S. citizens that there was nothing to fear but fear itself. Although the United States tried to stay out of World War II, eventually, the wartime economy would … [Read more...]
Today in History: Works Progress Administration
April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–April 8–the Library of Congress features the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was funded by the the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved on this day in 1935. This national works program, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in 1943. Learn more about the Library's treasure trove of WPA materials by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the … [Read more...]
Today in History: Dorothea Lange
October 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features photographer Dorothea Lange, who died on this day in 1965. Best known for her "Migrant Mother" photo, Lange began her career as a studio photographer. During the Depression she took her camera to the street, photographing the homeless. These images led to her employment with the federal Resettlement Administration (RA), and its successor agency, the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Learn more about this Lange by visiting … [Read more...]
Today in History: Langston Hughes
February 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–February 1–the Library of Congress features writer and poet Langston Hughes, born on this date in 1902. Famous for his illuminating and moving depictions of African American life, Hughes was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance movement. Learn more about this treasured American author by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories, primary sources, and teaching and learning resources. Background Langston Hughes stories … [Read more...]
Today in History: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
January 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–January 20–the Library of Congress features Franklin Delano Roosevelt, inaugurated as U.S. President in January on this day in 1937. This was the first inauguration held in January but FDR's second of four inaugurations, his first was held on March 4, 1933. Find out more about the longest serving president in our nation’s history by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources and individual primary sources related to the 32nd … [Read more...]
Today in History: Eleanor Roosevelt
October 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features Eleanor Roosevelt, born on this day in 1884. Learn more about this first-class first lady in the Today in History section then click the links below to access related primary sources. Eleanor Roosevelt image set Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. attends Women in War Work Congress in Paris 1918 film Speech by Eleanor A. Roosevelt New York 1941 Eleanor Roosevelt historical newspaper coverage Modern-day legislation related to … [Read more...]
Today in History: The “Bonus Army”
July 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–July 28–the Library of Congress features the "Bonus Army" or "Bonus Expeditionary Forces (B.E.F.)", some 15-20,000 World War I veterans who camped out in the nation's capital to request early payment of cash bonuses not payable to them until 1945. On July 28, 1932 the protestors were met by Major George S. Patton and federal troops—cavalry, machine-gunners, and infantry—under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur on President Herbert Hoover's orders. Riots broke out but … [Read more...]
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