Senator Margaret Chase Smith

Primary Source Spotlight: Margaret Chase Smith

Historical newspaper coverage: Representative Margaret Chase Smith Historical newspaper coverage: Senator Margaret Chase Smith Margaret Chase Smith image set Margaret Chase Smith brief bio and image set Margaret Chase Smith Library Margaret Chase Smith biography and bibliography United States House of Representatives Margaret Chase Smith: A Declaration of Conscience background with link to her speech…

Primary Source Spotlight: Samuel Morse

Primary Source Spotlight: Samuel Morse

Background Samuel F.B. Morse Sent the First Telegraphic Message from America’s Library What Hath God Wrought? curator video about first telegram Samuel F. B. Morse Papers at the Library of Congress 1793 to 1919 (see collection highlights below) Art & Travel Artist, Politician, Photographer Childhood & Family Life Daguerreotype Impact of the Telegraph Invention of the Telegraph…

José Manuel Gallegos

Today in History: José Manuel Gallegos

Today in History–October 30–the Library of Congress features New Mexican José Manuel Gallegos, born this date in 1815 in the town of Abiquiú. When Nuevo México became the U.S. Territory of New Mexico in 1848, Gallegos was elected to its first Territorial Council. He was then elected as a delegate to the U.S. Congress from the Territory…

James F. Byrnes 1916 newspaper advertisement

Today in History: James F. Byrnes

Today in History–May 2–the Library of Congress features politician James F. Byrnes, born on this date in 1882. Byrnes represented South Carolina in the House (1911-25) and Senate (1931-41) and was only defeated once, in 1924, for refusing endorsement by the Ku Klux Klan. Byrnes also served as a Supreme Court justice, U.S. secretary of state and Governor of South…

[Cut of broom] To sweep the Augean Stable

Today in History: John C. Calhoun

Today in History–March 18–the Library of Congress features politician John C. Calhoun, born on this date in 1782. Calhoun served as a congressman, senator, secretary of war, secretary of state, and vice president of the United States but may be best known for his defense of slavery, particularly in relation to the Nullification Proclamation and the Compromise of 1850. Learn…

Col. Fremont planting the American standard on the Rocky Mountains

Today in History: John C. Frémont

Today in History–January 31–the Library of Congress features John C. Frémont, who was court-martialed on grounds of mutiny and disobeying orders on this day in 1848. This decision was later reversed by President James Polk and did little to thwart the progress of this explorer turned politician known as the “pathfinder”.  Learn more about the extraordinary fortunes…