Today in History–November 26–the Library of Congress features Casablanca, Morocco’s main port city and the title of a future classic film, which premiered on this day in 1942. Just a few weeks before, the city was bombarded during General Dwight Eisenhower‘s “Operation Torch”. Less than two months later, the city was the site of an Allied…
Today in History–November 26–the Library of Congress features Thanksgiving, designated by President George Washington on this date in 1789. Seventy-four years later, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation that declared the last Thursday in November national Thanksgiving Day. Learn more about U.S. Thanksgiving traditions by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more…
Today in History–November 18–the Library of Congress features time. On this day in 1883, precisely at noon, North American railroads switched to Standard Railway Time (SRT). SRT was quickly adopted throughout the United States, resulting in the creation of four national time zones: eastern, central, mountain and Pacific. A year later, at an international conference in…
Today in History–November 12–the Library of Congress features women’s rights leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, born on this date in 1815. The daughter of a judge, Stanton was devoted to her studies but her higher education aspirations were thwarted because of her gender. This experience helped inform her philosophy on individual rights. She later became a…
Today in History–October 29–the Library of Congress features journalist and politician Carl Schurz. On this date in 1855, the recent German immigrant wrote his wife, Margarethe Meyer Schurz, about his hope for their future in America. Exactly five years later Schurz sent his wife another letter, this time from Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign trail. Schurz served as a U.S. senator and worked with…
Belgium primary sources from the World Digital Library Belgium maps Books & other texts about Belgium Belgium historic newspaper coverage Belgique historic newspaper coverage (en français) Belgium royalty historic newspaper coverage Belgium images set Belgian image set TR receiving Belgian envoys at Sagamore Hill 1917 film King Albert of Belgium visits TR’s grave 1919 film Belgium/Belgian sheet music La Brabançonne / National air of…
Today in History–October 7–the Library of Congress features Cornell University, which welcomed its first students on this day in 1868. Funded as a result of the Morrill Act of 1862, Cornell wasted little time in racking up a number of firsts: first university degree in veterinary medicine, first doctorates in electrical and industrial engineering, first four-year schools of hotel administration and labor…
Today in History–October 1–the Library of Congress features American baseball’s first World Series, the first game of which was played on this day in 1903. The best-of-nine series matched the American League’s Boston Americans (soon to be Boston Red Sox) against the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates, with Boston winning the series 5 games to 3. The National League…
Today in History–September 17–the Library of Congress features Battle of Antietam, fought on this day in 1862. The bloodiest battle in the Civil War—more than 23,000 killed, wounded or missing in action–was fought in the hills of Sharpsburg, Maryland. Although the Confederates occupied the town of Sharpsburg at nightfall, the battle was a Union victory. Find out more about Union…
Today in History–September 16–the Library of Congress features college football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, who announced his retirement at the age of 98 on this day in 1960. Stagg played football and baseball for Yale University before beginning his college coaching career, which included those two sports as well as basketball and track. Visit the Today in History section to learn…
Today in History–September 13–the Library of Congress features writer Sherwood Anderson, born on this day in 1876. Sherwood worked as a copywriter before gaining success for his poetry, short stories, and novels. Learn more about this midwest scribe by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources about Sherwood and other American writers. Sherwood…
Today in History–September 11–the Library of Congress features soprano Jenny Lind, who made her American debut in New York City on this date in 1850. The concert was the first of a 93-stop American tour for the 19th-century singing sensation who sang opera as well as popular songs. Learn more about the “Swedish nightingale” by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…