Women farm workers on the picket line in 1966

Primary Source Learning: Postwar United States (1945-1968) Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1945-1968. The wartime economy led to new economic prosperity for the United States and expanded opportunities for many, but certainly not all its citizens. As a result, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American women took up the fight for civil…

Working on him

Primary Source Learning: Great Depression & World War II Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1929-1945. At the depths of the great depression, which followed the stock market crash in October 1929, over one-quarter of the American workforce was out of work. But President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted a variety of “New Deal” programs and told…

City Hall, Brooklyn, showing the elevated railroad and the site of the new subway station

Primary Source Learning: Progressive Era Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1900-1929. The Progressive Era was one of economic growth and prosperity but also one in which many worked to make American society a better and safer place through environmental, business and government reforms. The story about this time of…

Illinois Steel Works & harbor entrance, Calumet Riv., So. Chicago

Primary Source Learning: Industrial America Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about the period 1876-1900 when industrial growth helped transform the United States, producing a new class of wealthy industrialists, a prosperous middle class, and a vastly expanded working class comprised of millions of migrants from rural areas and new immigrants from overseas. The…

In the forest - North Dakota

Today in History: North Dakota

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…

Scott's great snake

Primary Source Learning: Civil War & Reconstruction Primary Source Set

Have students use the primary sources in this set to tell a story about a timeframe from the period 1861-1877 when the United States was wracked by civil war, fighting to preserve the Union and end slavery. This costly war (recent research puts the death toll at 750,000) raged for four years but putting the…