John Quincy Adams

Presidential Spotlight: John Quincy Adams

From America’s Library: Born: July 11, 1767 Died: Feb. 23, 1848 John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States and the first son of a former president who himself became president. (George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush are the only other father-son presidents.) John Quincy Adams was well known for his diplomatic success…

Nixon sends GIs into Cambodia

World Spotlight: Cambodia

Cambodia primary source set World Digital Library Cambodia maps Foreign Affairs oral histories mentioning Cambodia Historic U.S. newspaper coverage of Cambodia (through 1922) “A Cambodian Ceremony” Scribners Monthly, an illustrated magazine for the people Volume 9, Issue 1, November 1874 “The Cambodian House” Manufacturer and Builder Volume 19, Issue 5, May 1887 Journey to Freedom: The Boat People Retrospective 2009 webcast U.S. legislation related to Cambodia…

Jackson and the nullifiers

Today in History: Nullification Crisis

Today in History–January 13–the Library of Congress features the Nullification Crisis. On this date in 1833, President Andrew Jackson wrote his new president Vice President Martin Van Buren affirming his commitment to preventing South Carolina’s defiance of federal authority by nullifying national tariff laws. The Nullification Crisis began in November, 1832 when South Carolina nullified a federal tariff. On December 10, 1832…

The landing-place near cathedral, Belgrade, Servia

World Spotlight: Serbia

Serbia primary source set World Digital Library Serbia maps Serbian image set Што се боре мисли моје (Serbian song recording) Foreign Affairs oral histories mentioning Serbia Historic U.S. newspaper coverage of Serbia (through 1922) U.S. legislation related to Serbia Guide to Law Online: Serbia Country Study: Former Yugoslavia

Washington's prominent figures listen to Marian Anderson's singing

Today in History: Marian Anderson

Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features singer Marian Anderson, who made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on his day in 1955. Barred from attending a Philadelphia music school because of her race, Anderson’s family, friends and church helped fund private voice lessons. Although she toured Europe and the United States extensively, Anderson continued to suffer…

Altgeld, John P., portrait photograph

Today in History: John Peter Altgeld

Today in History–December 30–the Library of Congress features politician John Peter Altgeld, born on this day in 1847. A lawyer, Altgeld served as a city attorney and a county prosecutor before serving on the bench of Cook County’s Superior Court from 1886 to 1891. In 1892 he was elected governor of Illinois. A progressive, Altgeld passed penal and legal…

Practical illustration of the Fugitive Slave Law

Primary Source Spotlight: Fugitive Slave Law

Practical illustration of the Fugitive Slave Law Effects of the Fugitive-Slave-Law Triumph Fugitive slave law political cartoons Fugitive slave bill … Approved, September 18, 1850. Millard Fillmore Things to be remembered. Remember that the Whig administration of Millard Fillmore enacted the Fugitive Slave bill, in violation of the constitution and all the legal safeguards of…

King of Persia/Shah of Iran

World Spotlight: Iran

Iran country study Iran country profile Iran country profile BBC Iran timeline BBC Places in the News: Iran April 2007 April 2009 December 2010 June 2011 April 2013 Iran primary source set World Digital Library Iran maps Iran image set Persia image set Featured Image: The Book of Kings Books & articles about Iran Films & webcasts related to Iran Persia; Concert polka (sheet…

Walter Johnson, Washington Nationals, baseball card portrait

Today in History: Walter Johnson

Today in History–December 10–the Library of Congress features baseball player Walter Johnson, who died on this day in 1946. Johnson played 21 seasons with the Washington Senators and later became the team’s manager. Nicknamed “The Big Train”, Johnson is considered to have one of the best fastball pitchers ever. His accomplishments include the following: scored more…

Sod house, Custer County, Nebraska

State Spotlight: Nebraska

Nebraska stories from America’s Library Nebraska primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Prairie Settlement: Nebraska Photographs and Family Letters Nebraska images Nebraska maps Nebraska sheet music Nebraska oral history, speech & song recordings Nebraska books & other texts Nebraska historical newspapers U.S. legislation related to Nebraska Nebraska Guide to Law Online Literature Links: My Daniel – Hunting dinosaurs in Nebraska More Nebraska-related posts on PSN More U.S….

Army Life of an Illinois Soldier

Primary Source Spotlight: Illinois Civil War Resources

Illinois Civil War books (1800-1929) Illinois Civil War sheet music Illinois Civil War maps Illinois Civil War image set More Illinois Civil War images Illinois soldier historic newspaper coverage (1860-65) “The Union. V. Illinois and Missouri Compared” Continental monthly: devoted to literature and national policy Volume 3, Issue 3, March 1863 YouTube videos Illinois During the Civil War,…

Rumania's day

World Spotlight: Romania

Romania primary source set, World Digital Library Romania maps Romania image set Books about Romania (1800-1929, in English and other languages) Romanian sheet music Romanian songs (audio recordings) Drago Ensemble Concert (streaming webcast) U.S. veteran oral histories (service in Romania) Roumania primary source set Historical newspaper coverage of Roumania (through 1922) Romania country profile Romania country study U.S. legislation related to Romania Guide to…