Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features writer Zora Neale Hurston, born on this date in 1891. She grew up in Eatonville, Florida, the first incorporated black town in the United States. Trained as an anthropologist, Hurston documented life histories and folklore, later using what she learned to inform her novels and plays. Learn more about this Harlem renaissance woman…
Today in History–January 2–the Library of Congress features the central American country of Nicaragua. On this date in 1933 the United States Marine Corps withdrew from Nicaragua after maintaining a presence there for more than 20 years. Learn some more about this U.S.-Nicaraguan connection by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related primary sources. Nicaragua country study (history, culture,…
Today in History–January 1–the Library of Congress features Ellis Island. On this date in 1892 a fifteen-year old Irish girl named Annie Moore became the first person to pass through the doors of the Ellis Island Immigration Station. Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants, as many at 5,000 a day, passed through Ellis Island to start…
Today in History—December 3—the Library of Congress features Illinois, which entered the Union as the 21st state on this day in 1818. Illinois is an Algonquin word meaning “tribe of superior men”; today the state is referred to as the Land of Lincoln and is one of the most populous of all the United States. Learn…
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–October 29–the Library of Congress features quilter Harriet Powers, born on this day in 1837. Harriet Powers used a traditional appliqué technique to record local legends, Bible stories, and astronomical events. Find out more about the quilting tradition by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about this folk art form….
Today in History–October 24–the Library of Congress features the United Nations. On this day in 1945 the U.N. charter was ratified. Derived from the 1942 Declaration by United Nations—26 nations pledged to continue fighting against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) in World War II—the final U.N. charter was signed by 51 member countries. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then…
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The September 25, 2012 Today in History post featured William Faulkner, creator of the fictional Yoknapatawpha County which was based upon and inspired by Lafayette County, Mississippi. Find out all about the real state of Mississippi through a review of thousands of primary sources available online from the Library of Congress. Mississippi primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Mississippi…
Today in History–September 21–the Library of Congress features New Mexico. On this day in 1595, Don Juan de Oñate’s petition and contract for the conquest of New Mexico was presented to Luís de Velasco, the viceroy of Nueva Vizcaya. The petition was ultimately granted and Oñate’s expedition set out in 1598. A brutal leader, Oñate was later stripped…
Today in History–September 11–the Library of Congress features the terrorist attacks on the United States. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airplanes and killed thousands as they destroyed the World Trade Center towers in New York and damaged the Pentagon in Virginia; a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers struggled with hijackers. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section…
What was life on the farm like before large agribusiness operations began to dominate U.S. agricultural production? To get a glimpse into the past, take a look at the Today in History section for August 29, then click the links below to access a cornucopia of primary source treasures. Farming image set Farm life image…