Primary Source Spotlight: The Ute People

Primary Source Spotlight: The Ute People

Background from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe website: “The Ute people are the oldest residents of Colorado, inhabiting the mountains and vast areas of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Eastern Nevada, Northern New Mexico and Arizona. . . .Today, the Mouache and Caputa bands comprise the Southern Ute Tribe and are headquartered at Ignacio, Colorado. The Weenuchiu, now…

Today in History: Citizenship Day

Today in History: Citizenship Day

Today in History–September 17–we celebrate Citizenship Day, which was designated in 1952 and combined with Constitution Day into a single day of recognition in 2004. The joint September 17 celebration commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution by the delegates to the 1787 federal convention and recognizes all who “by coming of age or by…

Primary Source Spotlight: First Amendment

Primary Source Spotlight: First Amendment

The Bill of Rights Ever read the Bill of Rights, Zonker? political cartoon The First Amendment in Action primary source album Supreme Court cases dealing with the first amendment Federal legislation related to the First Amendment First amendment historical newspaper coverage Recorded event videos related to the First Amendment Freedom of Speech Freedom of the…

Primary Source  Spotlight: National Party Conventions

Primary Source Spotlight: National Party Conventions

Democratic National Conventions Democratic National Convention proceedings 1832-1952 available online Democratic National Convention texts James K. Polk to the Committee of the Democratic National Convention accepting the Democratic presidential nomination 12 June 1844 Gideon Welles Papers 1822-1878 Cincinnati Democratic Convention broadside September 1864  Letter of Geo. B. McClellan in acceptance of the nomination Chicago Convention…

Primary Source Spotlight: Elections in the U.S.

Primary Source Spotlight: Elections in the U.S.

U.S. election images U.S. election maps U.S. election sheet music U.S. election reports & printed ephemera U.S. election clippings & correspondence U.S. election historical newspaper articles (tip: use the advanced search to refine the results) U.S. federal legislation related to elections Teaching resources U.S. presidential elections U.S. presidents primary source collections & teaching resources

Today in History: Spanish Civil War

Today in History: Spanish Civil War

Today in History–July 17–the Library of Congress features the Spanish Civil War, which began on this day in 1936. The Spanish Civil War has sometimes been called the first chapter of World War II as it was the first major military contest between left-wing forces and fascists and attracted international involvement on both sides. Learn more…

Today in History: Rosie the Riveter Born

Today in History: Rosie the Riveter Born

Today in History–June 25–the Library of Congress features Rosalind P. Walter (nĂ©e Palmer), later known as Rosie the Riveter, who was born on this day in 1924. Rosalind began working as a riveter on Corsair fighter planes at the Vought Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut at age 19 .  After a newspaper article featuring her work was published, songwriters Redd…

Today in History: Brown v. Board of Education

Today in History: Brown v. Board of Education

On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregated public educational facilities unconstitutional. Click the links below to access resources to help you dig deeper into this seminal event in U.S. history. U.S. Reports Notes concerning Chief Justice Warren’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education 1954…

Today in History: Frank Kameny

Today in History: Frank Kameny

Today in History–April 17–the Library of Congress features pioneering gay rights activist Frank (Franklin E.) Kameny, who led the first organized White House picket for gay rights on this date in 1965 with the Mattachine Society of Washington. Prior to that, in 1961, he was the first person  to petition the Supreme Court with a discrimination claim based on sexual…

Today in History: Robert Smalls

Today in History: Robert Smalls

Today in History–April 5–the Library of Congress features Robert Smalls, a Civil War hero, civil rights activist, and five-term U.S. Congressman who was born into slavery on this date in 1839.  Conscripted to the Confederate Army, Smalls captained a small Black crew to hijack an ammunition transport and deliver it to the Union Army in 1862. Learn…

Collections Spotlight: Wyandot Poet Hen-Toh

Collections Spotlight: Wyandot Poet Hen-Toh

Wyandot poet, folklorist, and civil servant Bertrand Nicholas Oliver Walker (1870-1927), often used his Wyandot (or Wyandotte) name, Hen-Toh, in his published poetry and prose that relayed indigenous legends and stories. Literary Papers of Wyandot Poet Hen-Toh Bookmarked Tales of the Bark Lodges by Hen-Toh Yon-doo-shah-we-ah (Nubbins) by Hen-Toh Hen-Toh in The Oglala Light newspaper Portrait of…