Today in History: United States Military Academy at West Point

Today in History: United States Military Academy at West Point

Today in History–March 16–the Library of Congress features United States Military Academy at West Point, founded on this date in 1802. Located on the Hudson River north of New York City,  West Point is one of the world’s oldest military service academies and was attended by many of the nation’s leading military commanders.  The academy is well…

World Spotlight: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

World Spotlight: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon prior to 1972. It has a long rich history. Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias was the world’s first woman prime minister, serving three terms: 1960-65, 1970-77, and 1994-2000. Sri Lanka country study Sri Lanka – Places in the News April 2009 Sri Lanka timeline BBC Sri Lanka maps U.S. veteran oral histories (service in…

World Spotlight: Senegal

World Spotlight: Senegal

Senegal primary sources from the World Digital Library Plan du Cap Verd 18th century map [Senegal] Senegal maps Senegal images Historical U.S. newspaper coverage of Senegal Senegal reports, books & other texts Senegal mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection Darlin, komm mit mir nach Senegal! sheet music U.S. legislation related to Senegal Senegal: Guide to law online…

Presidential Spotlight: Ronald Reagan

Presidential Spotlight: Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan first inauguration primary source set January 20, 1981 Ronald Reagan second inauguration primary source set January 21, 1985 Ronald Reagan mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection Governor Ronald Reagan 1966 photograph Ronald Reagan image set Ronbo satirical photomontage Herblock painting McCarthy, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton Herb Block on Ronald Reagan political cartoons More Ronald…

Presidential Spotlight: Jimmy Carter

Presidential Spotlight: Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter inauguration primary source set January 20, 1977 President Jimmy Carter Signed the Panama Canal Treaty September 7, 1977 from America’s Library Jimmy Carter image set Carl Sagan Briefing notes for President Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale Political cartoonist Herb Block on President Jimmy Carter “Gee! A medal from Gen. Goldwater” July 2, 1976…

Presidential Spotlight: Herbert Hoover

Presidential Spotlight: Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover brief bio Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover: American Famine relief Campaign song of Herbert Hoover 1829 presidential opponent Herbert Hoover 1930 judicial nomination of John Parker Herbert Hoover inauguration primary source set Herbert Hoover: Executive Order 5398 – Establishing the Veterans’ Administration The American Presidency Project Herbert Hoover mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral…

Primary Source Spotlight: Veterans Administration

Primary Source Spotlight: Veterans Administration

Veterans Administration legislation Veterans Administration reports & other texts Veterans Administration oral histories James Allen Alford served in Veterans Administration Facility Gerald Caffrey served as a radio operator and Morse code interpreter; after retiring served as a Veterans Administration Chaplain Frank Foley served in Europe but did not see action in combat; worked in years after war…

Today in History: Suez Canal

Today in History: Suez Canal

Today in History–November 17–the Library of Congress features the Suez Canal, opened on this day in 1869. The waterway connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. The longest canal in the world without locks, this heavily-traveled channel stretches 101 miles across Egypt’s Isthmus of Suez. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: Veterans Day

Today in History: Veterans Day

Today in History–November 11–the Library of Congress features Veterans Day, first celebrated as Armistice Day on this date in 1919. Designated by President Woodrow Wilson on the date the Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany, Armistice Day was designated Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section…

World Spotlight: Finland

World Spotlight: Finland

Finland country study Finland country profile BBC Finland timeline BBC Finland primary source set from the World Digital Library Finland maps Finland image set The Finns in America Article: Finnish American Song Finnish song recordings Finland sheet music Conversation: [Finnish composer] Olli Kotekangas & Norman Scribner streaming webcast U.S. veteran oral histories (service in Finland) Foreign…