Today in History: The White House

Today in History: The White House

Today in History–October 13–the Library of Congress features the White House, celebrating the date in 1792 when the first cornerstone was laid.  Learn more about the Executive mansion by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about the United States presidential home. White House Expense List, Thomas Jefferson, April 19, 1809…

Today in History: Eleanor Roosevelt

Today in History: Eleanor Roosevelt

Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features Eleanor Roosevelt, born on this day in 1884.  Learn more about this first-class first lady in the Today in History section then click the links below to access related primary sources. Eleanor Roosevelt image set Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. attends Women in War Work Congress in Paris 1918 film Speech by Eleanor A. Roosevelt New…

Today in History: The U.S. Naval Academy & the Navy

Today in History: The U.S. Naval Academy & the Navy

Today in History–October 10–the Library of Congress features the United States Naval Academy, which began its first term on this day in 1845.  Learn more about the naval academy and the U.S. navy in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more navy-related primary sources. Naval Academy primary source set Naval Academy historical newspaper coverage Selected naval…

Today in History: Chief Joseph Surrenders

Today in History: Chief Joseph Surrenders

Today in History–October 5–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Nez Percé Chief Joseph to General Nelson A. Miles on this day in 1877. Learn more about the plight of this Native American tribe in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to Chief Joseph, the Nez Percé, and other…

Today in History: Rutherford B. Hayes

Today in History: Rutherford B. Hayes

Today in History–October 4–the Library of Congress features President Rutherford B. Hayes, born on this day in 1822. After a bitterly contested election, Hayes became the nineteenth president of the United States in 1877 thanks to the vote of a special electoral commission. Learn more about Rutherford’s fascinating four years as chief executive by reviewing the Today in History section then click the…

Finding Resources: Chronicling America Historic Newspaper Topic Guides

Finding Resources: Chronicling America Historic Newspaper Topic Guides

The Teaching with Library of Congress blog provides some great tips for finding articles in the Chronicling America Historic Newspaper Collections and provides some teaching ideas as well. Be sure to check out, too, the following learning activity: Comparing Reports: Battle of Little Bighorn. Below is a list of topic guides by subject, each of which…

Today in History: Establishing U.S. Troops

Today in History: Establishing U.S. Troops

Today in History–September 29–the Library of Congress features the official establishment of the U.S. military by Congress on this day in 1789. The act, spurred on by President George Washington, legalized the existing U.S. Army, a small force inherited from the Continental Congress that had been created under the Articles of Confederation. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then…

Today in History: W.C. Handy & the Blues

Today in History: W.C. Handy & the Blues

Today in History–September 28–the Library of Congress features William Christopher Handy, whose song the “Memphis Blues” was published on this date in 1912. Handy introduced the blues into mainstream music and became known as the father of the blues. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access a rich collection of blues music…

Today in History: Kathy Whitworth & Golf

Today in History: Kathy Whitworth & Golf

Today in History–September 27–the Library of Congress features champion golfer Kathy Whitworth, born on this day in 1939 Whitworth is the winningest golfer in history. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then check out more golf and sports primary source sets. Champion golfer Kathy Whitworth from America’s Library Kathy Whitworth historical newspaper coverage Topics in Chronicling America…

Today in History: Mary Church Terrell

Today in History: Mary Church Terrell

Today in History–September 23–the Library of Congress features Mary Church Terrell, born on this day in 1863. One of the first African American women to graduate from college, Terrell worked as an educator, political activist, and first president of the National Association of Colored Women. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Mary Church Terrell primary source set Mary…

Today in History: William Howard Taft

Today in History: William Howard Taft

Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features William Howard Taft, born on this day in 1857. Taft had a very active political career that included two of our country’s highest posts, President and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about William H. Taft….

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History: Harvard University

Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Harvard University, named in honor of its first benefactor, John Harvard, who died on this day in 1638. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this venerable institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard images Harvard sheet music Harvard…