Today in History–June 13–the Library of Congress features the Office of War Information (OWI), which was created on this date in 1942. Later that year, the documentary photography unit of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) was transferred to the OWI. An important U.S. government propaganda agency during World War II, OWI supported the war effort by recording the nation’s preparations for…
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–April 6–the Library of Congress features the United States entrance into World War I on this day in 1917 by declaring war on Germany. Learn more about the difficult decision to enter the war and how it transformed the nation by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access 1917 newspaper articles plus…
Today in History–March 29–the Library of Congress features Niagara Falls. On this day in 1848 an ice dam stopped the Niagara Falls from flowing for more than 24 hours. Learn more about this event and the beauty of this natural wonder by reviewing the Today in History section, then clicking the primary source links below. Ice Dam at Niagara’s…
Today in History–March 28–the Library of Congress features brewing magnate and baseball team owner August Anheuser Busch Jr., born on this day in 1899. As CEO of the Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Busch convinced the company board of directors to purchase the St. Louis Cardinals team, halting the team’s move to another city. Learn more about Busch and baseball by visiting the Today in History section, then clicking the links…
Today in History–December 27–the Library of Congress features Radio City Music Hall, opened on this day in 1932. Learn more about the history of Art Deco theater by reviewing the Today in History section, then click the links below to for more primary sources. Radio City Music Hall Opened to the Public in New York Radio City Music Hall images Radio…
Today in History–November 14–the Library of Congress features composer Aaron Copland, born on this day in 1900. Copland created scores that simplified music and expressed the American experience. Learn more about this prolific artist by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more Copland treasures. Primary sources The Aaron Copland…
The Civil War Glass Negatives collection provides access to about 7,000 views and portraits made during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and its immediate aftermath, many by Mathew Brady (biographical note) and Alexander Gardner. Taking photographs during the Civil War was a complex, time-consuming process difficult to master in a studio setting and even more difficult when…
Today in History–August 12–the Library of Congress features scientist and inventor Thomas A. Edison, who is credited with completing the model of the first phonograph on this day in 1877. Find out more about the “wizard of Menlo Park” by visiting the Today in History section, where you’ll also find links to other Library sound collections. Then click the links below…
Today in History–July 27–the Library of Congress features New York and architect Cyrus Eidlitz, born on this day in 1853. Eidlitz was the architect of the Times building, for which Times Square was named. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures about New York architects and architecture. Architect Cyrus…
The Photographs from the FSA and OWI collection provide vivid scenes of the harshness of life in rural America during the Great Depression. Students can observe the effects of New Deal relief work by comparing pictures of makeshift shelters and tent cities with resettlement camps and showcase housing. Look at images of tents, migrant camps, and labor camps for examples. You might…