Amid calls for removal of the Emancipation Memorial, also called the Freedmen’s Monument, in Washington D.C. and a replica of it in Boston, Washington Post reporter DaNeen L. Brown considers the statue and takes a look back at a speech made by Frederick Douglass at the D.C. unveiling ceremony on April 14, 1876. In the speech, Douglass recognizes the dichotomy of Lincoln's views on slavery while ultimately celebrating the proclamation. If Harriet Hosmer's design for the memorial—four … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: States of the Union as Civic Learning Opportunity
February 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) has put together a list of resources for educators to help students understand, analyze, and respond to the upcoming State of the Union. The resources are divided into sections that include the following: Youth Perspectives, the Speech and Its Media Coverage, and Background Lessons. Check out this excellent list along with resources from the Primary Source Nexus and the Library of Congress. Using the State of … [Read more...]
Collection Spotlight: Works by Civil War Era African American Women
March 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment
These digitized works were written by and about African American women who lived during the U.S. Civil War and include autobiographies, biographies, children’s books, novels, poetry, speeches and more. The authors and the works are listed below; click the section headers to access links to the online works. Some authors also have related resource links. Autobiographies & Biographies Sarah H. Bradford 1818-1912 Harriet, the Moses of Her People 1886 Scenes in the Life of … [Read more...]
Timely Connections: Frederick Douglass & Scientific Racism
February 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment
In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Eric Herschthal, a fellow at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library, suggests that we remember Frederick Douglass "as someone whose insights about scientific theories of race are every bit as relevant in our era as they were when he wrote them." Take a look at the examples Herschthal provides about Douglass' efforts to challenge scientific racism, including ethnology or, as it was sometimes referred to, "the … [Read more...]
Today in History: Compromise of 1850
September 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–September 20–the Library of Congress features the abolishment of the slave trade in Washington D.C., which was a feature of a legislative package known as the Compromise of 1850. Learn more by reading the Today in History section, then clicking the links below to access related primary & secondary sources. Compromise of 1850: American Treasures of the Library of Congress Compromise of 1850 timeline and select documents January 29, 1850 : Senator Henry Clay … [Read more...]
NHD 2018 Conflict & Compromise Topic Ideas: U.S. History Late 20th Century
August 30, 2017 by 1 Comment
These curated resource lists coincide with the topic ideas listed in the NHD 2018 Conflict & Compromise theme sample topics list. The links lead to resources accessed from the Library of Congress (LOC.gov) unless otherwise noted. Conflicting Opinions, Compromised Values: The Vietnam Generation Primary Source Spotlight: Vietnam War Learning from the Source: Cartoonist Commentary-Vietnam War The Camp David Accords Camp David images U.S. legislation related to Camp David … [Read more...]
Teaching Now: Using Primary Sources with 21st-Century Learners
June 7, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This is a guest post from veteran teacher Heather Klos, an 8th grade U.S. history teacher and the Social Studies department chair at Crownover Middle School in Corinth, Texas. As an early American history teacher, I know it is important to use primary sources effectively with my 8th grade students. Analyzing primary sources can be very difficult for students, but it is usually my end-game when working with these documents. I have found that breaking down the documents into manageable chunks … [Read more...]
Collection Spotlight: National Press Club Luncheon Speeches 1954-1989
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The National Press Club, with more than a century of history behind it, is known for its luncheon gatherings that have featured U.S. presidents, visiting world leaders, and other prominent persons to address the media members and answer questions about current affairs. Now, with the collection Food for Thought: Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Other National Press Club Luncheon Speakers, the Library of Congress provides online access to digital recordings of the National Press Club lunchtime … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Frances Willard & the WCTU
March 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Do-Everything Policy by Frances Willard primary source analysis activity Correspondence, speeches, & other texts by Frances Willard Texts about Frances Willard How Racism Tainted Women’s Fight to Vote (1894 showdown between anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and temperance leader Frances E. Willard) The Root March 25 2011 Frances Willard temperance: historic newspaper coverage Frances Willard image set Causes: The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union National Women’s … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Ida B. Wells
March 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
From the Library of Congress: “The facts have been so distorted that the people in the north and elsewhere do not realize the extent of the lynchings in south,” stated Ida B. Wells in June of 1895. Wells worked tirelessly to fight against lynching in the American South through newspapers, pamphlets, and speeches. A former school teacher, she is remembered for her work in both civil and women’s rights. A Red Record: Lynchings in the United States 1892, 1893, 1894 by Ida B. Wells Lynch law in … [Read more...]
President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Valley Grant Act. Check out our