Primary Source Spotlight: Bats & Vampires

Primary Source Spotlight: Bats & Vampires

Bats Bat image set Bats in historical newspaper articles “Unsuccessful effort to draw bats from the belfry of W.A. White” sketch by Theodore Roosevelt Bat wildlife reports (California, South Dakota, Utah, United States; Alberta, Canada; New Zealand) Library blog posts Bats: Out of Our Nightmares and Into Our Hearts Inside Adams October 29, 2022 Bats:…

Today in History: William Shakespeare

Today in History: William Shakespeare

Today in History–April 26–the Library of Congress features William Shakespeare, baptized on this day in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare’s birthday is traditionally celebrated on April 23, because babies generally were baptized about three days after birth. Learn about the Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: Zora Neale Hurston

Today in History: Zora Neale Hurston

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: Hippodrome

Today in History: Hippodrome

Today in History–August 16–the Library of Congress features the Hippodrome Theater, which closed permanently on this day in 1939. Opened in 1905, this gigantic theater seated up to 5,200 people and was the stage for the most popular vaudeville performers of the time, including Harry Houdini. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: James Baldwin

Today in History: James Baldwin

Today in History–August 2–the Library of Congress features novelist, essayist, and playwright James Baldwin, born on this day in 1924. Influenced by a teacher—poet and Harlem Renaissance leader Countee Cullen—Baldwin went on to earn his own place in literary history. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access some of the Library’s top literary treasures….