Today in History—June 8—the Library of Congress features architect Frank Lloyd Wright, born on this day in 1867. Famous for his Prairie School houses, Wright also produced innovative yet practical plans for public buildings. His personal life, however was quite the opposite of his architecture. Learn more by the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…
Today in History–June 7–the Library of Congress features Daniel Boone, who laid eyes on the woodlands of modern-day Kentucky on this day in 1769. He arrived there after ignoring a British ban on westward migration. Find out more about this famous frontiersman known for his coonskin cap by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. The…
Today in History–June 4–the Library of Congress features U.S. Congressional approval of the the woman’s suffrage amendment on this day in 1919. But victory was still a ways off, It took over a year for the necessary three quarters of the 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii were not admitted into the Union until 1959) to ratify the 19th…
Today in History–May 30–the Library of Congress features Memorial Day, first celebrated on this day in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Learn more about this national day of observance celebrating those who died in defense of the United States by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources….
Today in History–May 22–the Library of Congress features America’s first, first lady Martha Washington, who died on this day in 1802. Unfortunately, few of the letters written by Martha and George remain since she burned most before her death to protect their privacy. Learn more about this upstanding woman and consummate hostess by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the…
Today in History–May 17–the Library of Congress features the Kentucky Derby, first run on this day in 1875. The oldest thoroughbred horse race in the United States, this famous event held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky was begun by Meriwether Lewis Clark, child of William Clark who named his son after his exploration partner Meriwether Lewis. Learn more about the race and…
Today in History–May 16–the Library of Congress features educator Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, born on this day in 1804. Peabody opened the first English-language kindergarten in the United States in 1860. Learn more about this teacher, writer, and prominent figure in the Transcendental movement by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources related…
Today in History–May 10–the Library of Congress features the U.S. transcontinental railroad, celebrated on this day in 1869 when a symbolic golden spike was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, in Utah Territory—approximately thirty-five miles away from Promontory Point, the site where the rails of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific were joined. This railroad connected the…
Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress celebrates mothers. On this day in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, serving “as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources showcasing…
Today in History–May 7–the Library of Congress features Archibald MacLeish, born on this day in 1892 in Glencoe, Illinois. MacLeish’s interest ranged from literature to law. He won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry and drama and served as the Librarian of Congress and Assistant Secretary of State. Find out more about the “poet librarian” by visiting the Today in…
Today in History–May 3–the Library of Congress features the island of Jamaica, first spotted by Christopher Columbus on this day in 1494. This Caribbean nation won its independence from Great Britain in 1962 but is still a member of the British commonwealth. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources related to Jamaica….
Today in History–April 23–the Library of Congress features Stephen A. Douglas, born on this day in 1813. This politician, known as the “little giant”, served as a U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate. Find out more about the man who went toe to toe with Abraham Lincoln by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about…