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–September 2–the Library of Congress features George Gershwin, who completed the orchestral score of the opera—Porgy and Bess—based on the DuBose Heyward novel on this date in 1935. The opera, like the novel, depicted the African-American Gullah culture of South Carolina. Learn more about this remarkable man and his collaborators on the internationally known opera by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…
Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features children’s television. On this date in 1950, ABC aired its first Saturday morning children’s television shows: Animal Clinic and the variety show Acrobat Ranch, which featured two young acrobats, Tumbling Tim and Flying Flo, and children competing in games and stunts. Learn more about children’s television as well as…
Today in History–August 15–the Library of Congress features Florence Kling Harding, born on this date in 1860. An ardent support of woman suffrage, Kling Harding was the first first lady to have the right to cast a ballot for her husband (Warren G.). Kling Harding was also an adept business woman and brought a professional identity to the…
Today in History–August 5–the Library of Congress features Julia Archibald Holmes, who summited Pikes Peak on this date in 1858. She did so wearing her “American costume” of a hat, moccasins, short dress, and bloomers, the latter leading to the moniker bloomer girl. Learn more about this adventurous lady and the famous Colorado mountain peak by visiting the Today in History section and…
Today in History–July 31–the Library of Congress features Civil War General George H. Thomas, born on this date in 1816. Although he was born in Virginia, Thomas allied with the Union in the Civil War. Thomas’ 1863 defense of Chickamauga Creek in northwestern Georgia led to the moniker the “Rock of Chickamauga”. The following year he played a key role in the…
Today in History–July 30–the Library of Congress features automobile magnate Henry Ford, born on this date in 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan. When incorporating his company in 1903, Ford proclaimed, “I will build a car for the great multitude.” Ford made good on that proclamation, selling more than 15 million Model T cars in the United States alone. Learn more about the…
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…
Today in History–July 23–the Library of Congress features Roman Catholic Cardinal James Gibbons, born on this date in 1834 in Pennsylvania. The second U.S. cardinal, Gibbons was a supporter of child labor reform and advocate of the separation of church and state. Learn more about this proactive priest and his journeys to and in the United States by visiting the Today in History section,…
Today in History–July 22–the Library of Congress features artist Alexander Calder, born on this date in 1898 in Pennsylvania. Calder’s mother was a painter and his father was a sculptor but Alexander began his career as a mechanical engineer. That early career choice served him well as an artist later when creating his first motor-driven sculptures, later…
Today in History–July 16–the Library of Congress features photojournalist Walker Evans. On this date in 1936 Evans took a leave of absence from from the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to accept a summer assignment with Fortune magazine. Evans and writer James McGee worked together to document the lives of sharecropper families in Alabama, which would eventually be published in the book, Let…
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…