Today in History–January 22–the Library of Congress features the Florida Keys. On this day in 1912, the Florida East Coast Railway connected the island of Key West with the Florida mainland. After a 1935 hurricane damaged the line, the Overseas Highway built on the foundation of the old railroad bed. The current system of dozens of bridges…
Today in History–January 21–the Library of Congress features Confederate general Stonewall Jackson, born on this date in 1824. An orphan, Thomas Jonathan Jackson devoted his life to the military as a soldier, teacher, and leader. Learn more about this man known for standing his ground by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources…
Today in History–January 17–the Library of Congress features cable cars. On this day in 1879, San Franciscan Andrew Smith Hallidie patented an improved “Endless Wire Ropeway”, which would become the cable-car system. San Francisco’s success with cable cars led to their introduction in cities across the country. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below for primary sources related…
Today in History–January 15–the Library of Congress features civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. King entered Morehouse College at 15, received a bachelor of divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D from Boston University in 1955. Armed with his doctorate and belief in the use of non-violent action to…
Today in History–January 14–the Library of Congress features the Treaty of Paris, ratified by the Continental Congress on this day in 1784, nine months after the preliminary articles of peace were approved and over four months after the actual treaty was signed in Paris. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section (also see treaty signing entry),…
Today in History–January 9–the Library of Congress features the Fisk School (later known as Fisk University), which held its first classes on this day in 1866. Fisk is one of several historically black colleges–others include Atlanta University, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and Howard University. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access primary sources…
Today in History–January 8–the Library of Congress features the Battle of New Orleans. On this day in 1815 a small, rag-tag U.S. force claimed victory against 8,000 British troops. Although the battle had little significance—it occurred after the War of 1812 had ended—it made Major General Andrew Jackson a national hero. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section,…
Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features writer Zora Neale Hurston, born on this date in 1891. She grew up in Eatonville, Florida, the first incorporated black town in the United States. Trained as an anthropologist, Hurston documented life histories and folklore, later using what she learned to inform her novels and plays. Learn more about this Harlem renaissance woman…
Today in History–January 2–the Library of Congress features the central American country of Nicaragua. On this date in 1933 the United States Marine Corps withdrew from Nicaragua after maintaining a presence there for more than 20 years. Learn some more about this U.S.-Nicaraguan connection by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related primary sources. Nicaragua country study (history, culture,…
Today in History–January 1–the Library of Congress features Ellis Island. On this date in 1892 a fifteen-year old Irish girl named Annie Moore became the first person to pass through the doors of the Ellis Island Immigration Station. Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants, as many at 5,000 a day, passed through Ellis Island to start…
Today in History–December 27–the Library of Congress features temperance zealot Carrie Nation, who smashed the bar at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas on this day in 1900. Abandoning the nonviolent agitation of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, Nation argued that destroying saloons was an acceptable way to battle the liquor trade. To learn more about why Nation and many…
Today in History–December 26–the Library of Congress features Commodore George Dewey, born on this day in 1837. Dewey was the Pacific naval commander when the U.S. declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898. Less than a week later he became a national hero following the decisive and swift 6-hour destruction of the Spanish fleet in the…