Today in History–February 27–the Primary Source Nexus features Abraham Lincoln’s Cooper Union speech, delivered on this date in 1860 at the Cooper Institute in New York City. This lengthy speech is widely believed to have helped Lincoln secure the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency. Click the links below to access the speech and related…
Today in History–February 21–the Library of Congress features legislator Barbara Jordan, who was born in Houston, Texas, on this day in 1936. In 1966 Jordan became the first African American state senator since 1883 and the first Black woman to serve. In 1972 she became a U.S. congresswoman. Find out a bit more about the powerful voice of this woman in…
Today in History–September 17–we celebrate Citizenship Day, which was designated in 1952 and combined with Constitution Day into a single day of recognition in 2004. The joint September 17 celebration commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution by the delegates to the 1787 federal convention and recognizes all who “by coming of age or by…
Today in History–July 17–the Library of Congress features the Spanish Civil War, which began on this day in 1936. The Spanish Civil War has sometimes been called the first chapter of World War II as it was the first major military contest between left-wing forces and fascists and attracted international involvement on both sides. Learn more…
Today in History–April 17–the Library of Congress features pioneering gay rights activist Frank (Franklin E.) Kameny, who led the first organized White House picket for gay rights on this date in 1965 with the Mattachine Society of Washington. Prior to that, in 1961, he was the first person to petition the Supreme Court with a discrimination claim based on sexual…
Today in History–September 14–the Library of Congress features Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th and current Librarian of Congress, who was sworn in by Chief Justice John G. Roberts on this date in 2016. Once named Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal, Dr. Hayden is the first woman and the first person of African American descent to…
Today in History–August 6–the Library of Congress features Susie King Taylor, a teacher, nurse, and author who was born on a plantation in Georgia on this date in 1848. Learn more about Taylor and her Civil War service and remembrances by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources related to this lifelong…
Today in History–June 19–TPS-Barat features Juneteenth. On this date in 1865, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, informing the slaves of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued two and a half years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln. Although Juneteenth was informally celebrated each year since 1865, it wasn’t until June 3,…
Today in History–May 21–TPS-Barat features Clarissa “Clara” Barton, who founded the Red Cross on this date in 1881. A former teacher, Barton was working in the U.S. patent office at the start of the Civil War. Despite having little nursing training, Barton administered aid to soldiers at several battlefields. After the war she established the…
Today in History–May 9–the Library of Congress features the first political cartoon published in the United States on this day in 1754. The “Join or Die” cartoon, purportedly devised by Benjamin Franklin, provided commentary on the need for the colonies to join together against French and Native American aggression along the western frontier. Learn more by visiting…
Today in History–May 1–the Library of Congress features May Day. Originally a celebration of spring, May Day later became a day to celebrate workers and is still celebrated as such in many countries around the world. It was first celebrated in the United States in 1887, a year after the conflict between labor protestors and…
Today in History–January 2–the Library of Congress features Haiti. On this date in 1893 Frederick Douglass, who once served as U.S. minister to this Caribbean country, delivered an address at the dedication of the Haitian Pavilion at the World’s Columbian Exposition. Learn more Douglass’ speech and the country by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…