Today in History–November 26–the Library of Congress features Casablanca, Morocco’s main port city and the title of a future classic film, which premiered on this day in 1942. Just a few weeks before, the city was bombarded during General Dwight Eisenhower‘s “Operation Torch”. Less than two months later, the city was the site of an Allied…
Kentucky primary source set with teacher’s guide Kentucky resource guide Kentucky images Kentucky maps Kentucky books and other texts Correspondence & printed ephemera related to Kentucky Kentucky oral histories Kentucky historical newspapers Kentucky sheet music Kentucky songs (streaming audio) Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers video Celebrating Kentucky Poets video The mountaineer’s honor: In the hills of Kentucky short film U.S. legislation…
Today in History–May 23–the Library of Congress features Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. On this day in 1865 the Army of the Potomac paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue in celebration of the end of the Civil War. Just weeks before, mourners had watched Abraham Lincoln‘s funeral cortege pass by the same route. A march down Pennsylvania Avenue has been featured in every…
Today in History–January 9–the Library of Congress features the Fisk School (later known as Fisk University), which held its first classes on this day in 1866. Fisk is one of several historically black colleges–others include Atlanta University, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and Howard University. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources…
Today in History–October 22–the Library of Congress features New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, which opened its doors on this day in 1883. In addition to staging operas, the Met and other opera houses also hosted charity events, community dances, fairs, plays, vaudeville shows, and even funerals. Find out more about this prestigious cultural institution by visiting the Today in History section, then click the…
Today in History–October 16–the Library of Congress features John Brown, who led a raid of Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) on this day in 1859, seizing the town’s United States arsenal and rifle works and taking 60 prominent locals hostage. The group hoped to spark a rebellion of freed slaves and to lead an “army of emancipation.” The group…
Today in History–October 8–the Library of Congress features the great Chicago fire, which began on this day in 1871. The fire took at least 300 lives, left nearly a third of the city’s residents homeless, and leveled more than 18,000 structures (Encyclopedia of Chicago). Learn more about this fire and others that burnt on the same day in Michigan and…
Today in History–August 21–the Library of Congress features the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of America. On this day in 1912 Arthur R. Eldred of Oceanside, New York, became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank awarded to a Boy Scout. The Boy Scouts were founded in 1908 and the Girl Scouts, four years later in 1912…
Today in History–July 4–the Library of Congress features Independence Day, marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on this day in 1776. The first anniversary was a spontaneous celebration, as John Adams recounted in a letter to his daughter Abigail. After the War of 1812, Independence Day celebrations became more common. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section,…
Today in History–July 2–the Library of Congress features James A. Garfield, who was shot on this day in 1881 not long after he became the 20th president of the United States. The gunshot didn’t kill Garfield, however, infection caused by doctors probing the president’s wound with unwashed hands did. Find out more the attempts to save President Garfield…
Today in History–May 8–the Library of Congress features Zachary Taylor, who led U.S. troops to defeat the Mexican army in a two-day battle at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma on this day in 1846. Two years later he became president of the United States but his term was short; he died in office after serving only 16 months….