Civil War photograph lessons & activities The Mathew Brady Bunch New Technologies and New Uses Using Sources: Civil War Photography Technology & Tricks What Do You See? Civil War Photojournalism: A Record of War The Civil War Through a Child’s Eye Teaching Now: Integrating Literacy, History & Geography Teaching Now: Using Primary Sources with 21st-Century Learners Collection Connections teaching strategies & activities Abraham Lincoln Papers … [Read more...]
Today in History: Arlington National Cemetery
May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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, including the American Revolution and each year Memorial Day is honored by placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns. In addition to … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Where Do I Run to? Where Do I Hide?
July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The Library of Congress Digital Connections are filled with great ideas for primary source learning. Below we highlight an activity from the Civil War Maps Collection Connection. Historical Analysis and Interpretation In many cases the battles of the Civil War were fought by men unfamiliar with the area of the country in which they were fighting. Have students [look at other Battle of Gettysburg maps]. They can then assume the role of a soldier who has never encountered this part of the … [Read more...]
Featured Source: Caricature Curiosity
November 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Woodward, G. M. (George Moutard). "Caricature curiosity." ca. 1760-1809. Summary: Caricature of a porcine clergyman and a skinny volunteer officer examining caricatures of themselves in what is probably William Holland's printing shop window. Parson Puzzletest is furious, but his companion, Capt. Ruiz, reacts with good humour. … [Read more...]
Learning from the Source: Civil War Prison Experiences
November 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
While researching resources for the November 10 Today in History: Henry Wirz & Andersonville Prison post, I discovered numerous teaching ideas related to Civil War prisons and prisoners contained in various collection connection sections. Below you will find those ideas along with a few more. We encourage you to share your primary source teaching resources and strategies related to this topic as well. Civil War: First-Person Narratives of the American South, 1860-1920 This collection … [Read more...]
Today in History: Henry Wirz & Andersonville Prison
November 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–November 9–the Library of Congress features Confederate officer Henry Wirz, executed as a war criminal on this day in 1865. Wirz was the commanding officer in charge of the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia, also known as Camp Sumter. Learn more about Banneker by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary sources and teaching ideas about Wirz, Andersonville and other prisons, and the Civil War. Henry Wriz image … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Veteran Teaching Resources & Strategies
November 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
"The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war." The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great starting points for using the Veterans History Project in class activities. More veteran-related primary source and teaching resources are listed below. Veterans' oral history … [Read more...]
U.S. Post Office issued a five-cent stamp honoring Benjamin Franklin. Check out our 
Battle of Gettysburg began. Check out our 
U.S. gains victory in the Battle of Santiago. Check out our