Today in History–October 7–the Library of Congress features Cornell University, which welcomed its first students on this day in 1868. Funded as a result of the Morrill Act of 1862, Cornell wasted little time in racking up a number of firsts: first university degree in veterinary medicine, first doctorates in electrical and industrial engineering, first four-year schools of hotel administration and labor…
Today in History–September 30–the Library of Congress features electricity. On this day in 1882, the first hydroelectric central station in the world began operation on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. This and other hydroelectric plants provided inexpensive electricity, spurring industrial growth in many regions of the country around the turn of the 20th century. Find out…
Today in History–September 26–the Library of Congress features Valley Forge. On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress was forced to flee when British troops marched into the city of Philadelphia. The Continental Army under General George Washington spent the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania while British troops held Philadelphia. Find out more about this difficult season…
Today in History–June 26–the Library of Congress features the Dominican Republic. On this day in 1924, U.S. troops pulled out after 8 years of occupying the Caribbean nation. Learn more about the island nation’s road to independence by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources related to the Dominican Republic. Country Study: Dominican Republic Dominican Republic country…
Today in History–June 24–the Library of Congress features the dawn of the space age. On this date in 1961, the public learned of President John F. Kennedy‘s letter assigning Vice President Lyndon Johnson to coordinate the U.S. satellite programs. Under Johnson, the National Space Council recommended that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provide policy coordination with all government…
Today in History–April 8–the Library of Congress features the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was funded by the the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, approved on this day in 1935. This national works program, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in…
Today in History–December 26–the Library of Congress features Commodore George Dewey, born on this day in 1837. Dewey was the Pacific naval commander when the U.S. declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898. Less than a week later he became a national hero following the decisive and swift 6-hour destruction of the Spanish fleet in the…
Today in History–November 2–the Library of Congress features North Dakota, which entered the Union as the 39th state on this day in 1889. Visit the Today in History section to learn about the history and culture of the “Peace Garden” state, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. North Dakota primary source set with teacher’s guide North Dakota resource guide…
Today in History–October 24–the Library of Congress features the United Nations. On this day in 1945 the U.N. charter was ratified. Derived from the 1942 Declaration by United Nations—26 nations pledged to continue fighting against the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) in World War II—the final U.N. charter was signed by 51 member countries. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then…
Today in History–November 22–the Library of Congress features John F. Kennedy, assassinated on this day in 1963. Find out more about this tragic day in our nation’s history by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources and individual primary sources related to the 35th president of the United States. Primary sources Letter,…
Today in History–November 2–the Library of Congress features South Dakota, which entered the Union as the 40th state on this day in 1889. Visit the Today in History section to learn about the history and culture of the “Mount Rushmore” state, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. South Dakota primary source set with Teacher’s Guide South Dakota maps…
Today in History–October 5–the Library of Congress features the surrender of Nez Percé Chief Joseph to General Nelson A. Miles on this day in 1877. Learn more about the plight of this Native American tribe in the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary resources and stories related to Chief Joseph, the Nez Percé, and other…