Today in History: Woman’s Rights Conventions

Today in History: Woman’s Rights Conventions

Today in History–May 28–the Library of Congress features the Woman’s Rights Convention, held in Akron, Ohio on this date and May 29 in 1851. Convention topics included common law, education and labor, including wage inequities. Find out more about the early efforts of women’s rights advocates by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources related to the…

State Spotlight: Ohio

State Spotlight: Ohio

Ohio stories from America’s Library Ohio primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Ohio maps Ohio images from American Memory More Ohio images Ohio films Ohio books & articles Ohio reports, correspondence & other texts Ohio historical newspaper collection Ohio sheet music Ohio songs & oral histories (audio recordings) Ohio legislation Ohio Guide to Law Online First American West: The Ohio…

Today in History: Siege of Fort Meigs

Today in History: Siege of Fort Meigs

Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress features the siege of Fort Meigs by Shawnee military leader Tecumseh and British general Henry A. Proctor on this day in 1813.  But the invaders were unsuccessful as General William Henry Harrison held onto the fort that he had ordered built on the Maumee River above Toledo, Ohio. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Today in History: Erie Canal

Today in History: Erie Canal

Today in History–October 26–the Library of Congress features the Erie Canal, which opened on this day in 1825. Harnessing gravity, the 363-mile waterway flowed from Buffalo, New York on the east coast of Lake Erie to the upper Hudson River at Albany. Decried by many as “Clinton’s Folly”, New York Governor  DeWitt Clinton, the canal proved to be tremendously successful and encouraged settlement of the…

Guided Primary Source Analysis: C&O Canal, Georgetown D.C.

Guided Primary Source Analysis: C&O Canal, Georgetown D.C.

What feeling do you get from looking at this painting? What details or techniques do you think are responsible for that feeling? What does the artwork seem to suggest about the C&O Canal? Use details from the painting to support your conclusion. Compare and contrast this painting with photographs of the C&O canal. What similarities…

Today in History: C&O Canal

Today in History: C&O Canal

Today in History–October 10–the Library of Congress features Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, which opened on this day in 1850. The 184.5-mile C&O canal connected Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland and took 22 years to complete (ground was broken on the same day as the B&O Railroad). Find out more about the history of early river transportation by visiting the Today in History section, then click…

Primary Source Learning: Native American Perspectives

Primary Source Learning: Native American Perspectives

In celebration of Native American Heritage month, the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great suggestions for teaching students to view the experiences and contributions of Native Americans from various perspectives. Comparing sources from multiple perspectives provides students with practice in critical thinking and evaluating evidence and arguments. Links to more Native American…

Today in History: Cleveland, Ohio

Today in History: Cleveland, Ohio

Today in History–July 22–the Library of Congress features Cleveland, Ohio. When General Moses Cleaveland and a party of surveyors arrived at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on July 22, 1796, they thought it would make an ideal location for a new town. The city became officially known as Cleveland when the Cleveland Advertiser dropped the first “a” in the city’s name to reduce…