Today in History–July 12–the Library of Congress features writer, philosopher, and naturalist Henry David Thoreau, born on this day in 1817. Thoreau put his belief in living simply to the test by spending two years in a cabin on the edge of Walden Pond, a small glacial lake near Concord, Massachusetts. Find out more about this fascinating man by visiting…
Today in History–July 9–the Library of Congress features Vermont, which revised its constitution on this day in 1793 and became the first state to prohibit slavery. Learn more about the “Green Mountain” state known for its independent-minded citizens by visiting the Today in History section, then following the links below to access more primary sources. Vermont stories from America’s Library Vermont primary source set with Teacher’s Guide…
Today in History–June 22–the Library of Congress features the birth of the Progressive Party on this day in 1912. Led by Theodore Roosevelt, the Bull Moose Party promised to increase federal regulation and protect the welfare of ordinary citizens. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Bull Moose…
In his article, “Thinking Like an Historian“, from the TPS Quarterly archive (now the TPS Journal), Sam Wineburg points out how many students’ view of history—memorization—diverges from that of historians—investigation—and offers advice for using primary sources to engage students in the “historical approach”. Doing so will help students make more authentic and lasting connections to important…
Today in History–May 18–the Library of Congress features the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which ruled on this day in 1896 that separate-but-equal facilities on intrastate railroads were constitutional. The decision gave legal sanction to Jim Crow segregation laws and the decision was not reversed until May 17, 1954 when the Supreme Court unanimously agreed that segregation was unconstitutional in the…
Today in History–May 11–the Library of Congress features Minnesota, which became the 32nd state in the Union on this day in 1858. Learn more about the “star of the north” also known as the “land of 10,000 lakes”, by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Minnesota stories from America’s Library Minnesota primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Minnesota…
Today in History–February 24–the Library of Congress features Arizona, which was organized as a separate territory on this day in 1863. Find out more about this southwestern state that gained U.S. statehood in 1912 by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture and history of the 48th state through a review…
Today in History–January 29–the Library of Congress features Kansas, which entered the Union as a free state on this day in 1861. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture and history of the “Sunflower state” through the review of primary sources. Kansas stories from America’s Library Kansas primary source set with…
Today in History–January 10–the Library of Congress features Florida, which seceded from the Union on this day in 1861. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture and history of the “Sunshine state” through the review of primary sources. Florida stories from America’s Library Florida primary source set with teacher’s guide…
Today in History–December 12–the Library of Congress features Pennsylvania, which became the second state to ratify the U.S Constitution on this day in 1787, though it was not a unanimous decision. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture and history of Pennsylvania through…
Today in History–December 8–the Library of Congress features Louisiana, which ratified a new state constitution on this day in 1879, reorganizing the state judiciary and moving the state capital from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Did you know that Louisianians revised and passed new constitutions ten times from 1812-1921. Find out more about the history and culture of the…
Today in History–November 21–the Library of Congress features North Carolina, which ratified the Constitution on this day in 1789, becoming the 12th state in the new United States. Find out more about the history and culture of the “Tar Heel” state by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more prime primary sources. North…