Primary Source Spotlight: Nikola Tesla

Primary Source Spotlight: Nikola Tesla

Topics in Chronicling America – Nikola Tesla timeline & select newspaper articles More Nikola Tesla historical newspaper coverage Featured Source: Tesla’s 1922 Future Tech Predictions guided primary source analysis activity Messages to and from Outer Space Finding Our Place in the Cosmos: From Galileo to Sagan and Beyond Poems of Personality “Tesla” Another Tesla portrait Tesla Memorial Society…

Today in History: Touro Synagogue

Today in History: Touro Synagogue

Today in History–December 2–the Library of Congress features the Touro Synagogue, dedicated on this date in 1763. Named for the first officiating rabbi, Isaac Touro, the first synagogue in the U.S. was built in Newport, Rhode Island. Learn more about the Touro Synagogue and Newport’s Jewish community by visiting the Today in History section as well as the links below. First…

Today in History: Suez Canal

Today in History: Suez Canal

Today in History–November 17–the Library of Congress features the Suez Canal, opened on this day in 1869. The waterway connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. The longest canal in the world without locks, this heavily-traveled channel stretches 101 miles across Egypt’s Isthmus of Suez. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: Veterans Day

Today in History: Veterans Day

Today in History–November 11–the Library of Congress features Veterans Day, first celebrated as Armistice Day on this date in 1919. Designated by President Woodrow Wilson on the date the Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany, Armistice Day was designated Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section…

World Spotlight: Finland

World Spotlight: Finland

Finland country study Finland country profile BBC Finland timeline BBC Finland primary source set from the World Digital Library Finland maps Finland image set The Finns in America Article: Finnish American Song Finnish song recordings Finland sheet music Conversation: [Finnish composer] Olli Kotekangas & Norman Scribner streaming webcast U.S. veteran oral histories (service in Finland) Foreign…

Primary Source Spotlight: Astronomy

Primary Source Spotlight: Astronomy

Finding Our Place in the Cosmos: From Galileo to Sagan and Beyond Library collection Understanding the Cosmos primary source iBook Astronomy maps Astronomy images Astronomy books and articles Historical newspaper coverage: astronomy Astronomy and other “Onomies” sheet music The old country fiddler on astronomy audio recording Astronomy webcasts Everyday Mysteries: Astronomy U.S. legislation related to astronomy Astronomy: Selected…

Today in History: José Manuel Gallegos

Today in History: José Manuel Gallegos

Today in History–October 30–the Library of Congress features New Mexican José Manuel Gallegos, born this date in 1815 in the town of Abiquiú. When Nuevo México became the U.S. Territory of New Mexico in 1848, Gallegos was elected to its first Territorial Council. He was then elected as a delegate to the U.S. Congress from the Territory…

Literature Links: My Daniel – Hunting Dinosaurs in Nebraska

Literature Links: My Daniel – Hunting Dinosaurs in Nebraska

Below you will find numerous primary source activity ideas to use in conjunction with the novel My Daniel by Pam Conrad. Let us know which ones work for you. Publisher overview “All I want to find is one dinosaur,” Daniel was saying. “And I’ll find it right here. Like I do all my fossils.” Wandering…

Today in History: Robert Penn Warren

Today in History: Robert Penn Warren

Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features writer Robert Penn Warren, who died on this date in 1989. A novelist and poet who won a Pulitzer Prize for his novel All the Kings Men and two Pulitzers for his poetry, Warren was also a teacher, critic. He also served as poetry consultant for the Library from 1944-45 and as…

Today in History: American Federation of Labor & Quarry Workers

Today in History: American Federation of Labor & Quarry Workers

Today in History–September 08–the Library of Congress features the Quarry Workers’ International Union of North America, which was granted a charter by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) on this date in 1903. While granite had been mined around the area of Barre, Vermont for years, new waves of immigrants with a strong tradition of unionism arrived in the late 19th…

Today in History: Louis H. Sullivan

Today in History: Louis H. Sullivan

Today in History–September 3–the Library of Congress features architect Louis H. Sullivan, born on this day in 1856 in Boston, Massachusetts. Sullivan moved to Chicago early in his career in 1873. After the great Chicago fire of 1871 there was much work to do and Sullivan became a pioneer in the design of skyscrapers known for his core philosophy that…

Today in History: Fall of Atlanta

Today in History: Fall of Atlanta

Today in History–September 1–the Library of Congress features the fall of Atlanta. On this date in 1864, Confederate General John B. Hood evacuated and left the city in Union hands. The capture of this crucial Confederate supply center by William T. Sherman helped ensure the re-election of President Abraham Lincoln two months later. Find out more about the events preceding and following the…