State Spotlight: Kentucky

State Spotlight: Kentucky

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: Cornell University

Today in History: Cornell University

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: Electricity

Today in History: Electricity

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: Battle of Antietam

Today in History: Battle of Antietam

Today in History–September 17–the Library of Congress features Battle of Antietam, fought on this day in 1862. The bloodiest battle in the Civil War—more than 23,000 killed, wounded or missing in action–was fought in the hills of Sharpsburg, Maryland. Although the Confederates occupied the town of Sharpsburg at nightfall,  the battle was a Union victory. Find out more about Union…

Today in History: Jenny Lind

Today in History: Jenny Lind

Today in History–September 11–the Library of Congress features soprano Jenny Lind, who made her American debut in New York City on this date in 1850. The concert was the first of a 93-stop American tour for the 19th-century singing sensation who sang opera as well as popular songs. Learn more about the “Swedish nightingale” by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…

Today in History: Japan

Today in History: Japan

Today in History–July 29–the Library of Congress features the country of Japan. On this date in 1858, the United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (the Harris Treaty), which helped establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. Find out more about early U.S.-Japanese relations and Townsend Harris, the man who negotiated the treaty, by…

World Spotlight: Mexico

World Spotlight: Mexico

Mexico country profile Mexico country study The Mexican Revolution and the United States 1910-1920 online exhibition Mexican primary sources from the World Digital Library Mexico maps Mexico images Mexico video recordings Mexico songs Mexico sheet music Mexican literary recordings Mexico books & documents Select newspaper articles: Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) More U.S. historical newspaper coverage of Mexico…

Today in History: George M. Cohan

Today in History: George M. Cohan

Today in History–July 3–the Library of Congress features theater maestro George M. Cohan, born on this date in 1878. The multitalented Cohan was a playwright, songwriter, dancer, actor, theater owner, and producer. He also was awarded the Congressional medal of honor for his World War I song “Over There“. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…

Today in History: James Weldon Johnson

Today in History: James Weldon Johnson

Today in History–June 17–the Library of Congress features James Weldon Johnson, born on this day in 1871. Johnson went on to become a poet, songwriter, diplomat, and chief organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Find out more about this multi-talented man by visiting the Today in History section and then clicking the links below….

World Spotlight: Cuba

World Spotlight: Cuba

Cuba Country Study Cuba primary source set from the American Memory collections Cuba primary source set from the World Digital Library Cuba maps Cuba image set Cuba films & webcasts Cuba sheet music Cuba/Cuban songs & oral histories Cuban literary recordings Foreign Affairs oral histories: Cuban missile crisis Veteran oral histories service location: Cuba Cuba books…

Today in History: Norway

Today in History: Norway

Today in History–May 17–the Library of Congress features Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on this date in commemoration of the 1814 adoption of Norway’s constitution. Learn more about this Northern European country and Norwegian Americans by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below to access related primary sources. Glad Syttonde Mai! Celebration of…

Today in History: Arlington National Cemetery

Today in History: Arlington National Cemetery

Today in History–May 13–the Library of Congress features Arlington National Cemetery. On this day in 1864  a Confederate prisoner of war was buried on the grounds of Arlington House in Virginia, on the Potomac River opposite Washington, D.C. Today, the cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers from every war in which the United States has participated,…