Today in History–November 12–the Library of Congress features mapmaker Albert Ruger, who died on this day in 1899. Ruger was one of the first panoramic map artists to achieve success for his birds-eye views of places. Learn more about his craft by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Albert Ruger maps Panoramic map artists &…
Today in History–November 8–the Library of Congress features architect skyscrapers. On this day in 1906, cameraman Fred A. Dobson began filming The Skyscrapers of New York atop an uncompleted skyscraper at Broadway and 12th Street. To learn more about how engineering and architectural innovations in the mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries transformed the skylines of American cities,…
Today in History–November 7–the Library of Congress features Elijah Lovejoy, who was killed by a pro-slavery mob on this day in 1837. As editor of The St. Louis Observer–a newspaper started to promote religious and moral education–wrote editorials supporting emancipation. Learn more about the life and death of this champion of freedom by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…
Today in History–November 6–the Library of Congress features Jefferson Davis, elected president of the Confederate States of America on this day in 1861. Davis was a celebrated veteran of the Mexican War and served as secretary of war under Franklin Pierce. As a U.S. senator, Davis worked to keep the Union in tact but when his home state of Mississippi seceded,…
Today in History–November 5–the Library of Congress features James K. Polk, elected president of the United States on this day in 1844. Not so well known, Polk’s victory by a narrow margin over Whig candidate Henry Clay was a surprise. A proponent of western expansion, Polk oversaw the addition of Texas and the acquisition of territory…
Today in History–November 2–the Library of Congress features North Dakota, which entered the Union as the 39th state on this day in 1889. Visit the Today in History section to learn about the history and culture of the “Peace Garden” state, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. North Dakota primary source set with teacher’s guide North Dakota resource guide…
Today in History–November 29–the Library of Congress features the Alcott family. The family patriarch, educator Amos Bronson Alcott was born on this date in 1799. His second of four daughters, author Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832, also on November 29. Learn more about both father and daughter as well as other Alcott family members by visiting the Today in History section then click the…
Today in History–November 28–the Library of Congress features the first American automobile race, run on this day in 1895. Inventor J. Frank Duryea, battled snow and breakdowns to win the 54-mile race from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois in just over 10 hours. Learn more about early automobiles and the sport of auto racing by visiting…
Today in History–November 23–the Library of Congress features Franklin Pierce, born on this date in 1804. Learn more about our nation’s 14th president (1853-57) by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources about Franklin Pierce. Franklin Pierce to Andrew Jackson, February 2, 1844 Democratic ticket. For President, Gen. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire. 1852…
Today in History–November 22–the Library of Congress features John F. Kennedy, assassinated on this day in 1963. Find out more about this tragic day in our nation’s history by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources and individual primary sources related to the 35th president of the United States. Primary sources Letter,…
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…
Today in History–November 18–the Library of Congress features French photography pioneer Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, born on this day in 1789. The daguerreotype was a convenient and effective process which rapidly gained in the United States. Learn more about Daguerre and the daguerreotype by visiting the Today in History section and following the links below. America’s First Look into the Camera: Daguerreotype Portraits and Views,…