Today in History–September 19–the Library of Congress features poets and the seasons. On this day in 1819, English poet John Keats, wrote “To Autumn,” a three-stanza ode to the splendor, bounty, and melancholy of fall. Find out more poems and poets by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access 19th-century periodical articles written about Keats….
Today in History–September 16–the Library of Congress features El Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), first heard on this day in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla urged the largely Indian and mestizo congregation of his small Dolores parish church to fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain. Today, September 16, is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. Find out more by…
Today in History–September 15–the Library of Congress features William Howard Taft, born on this day in 1857. Taft had a very active political career that included two of our country’s highest posts, President and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about William H. Taft….
Today in History–September 13–the Library of Congress features our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. On September 13, 1814 a lawyer named Francis Scott Key witnessed the British bombing Fort McHenry from Baltimore harbor and decided to write a song to commemorate what he saw. Uncover more of the story by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…
Today in History–September 9–the Library of Congress features the Stono Rebellion—the largest slave uprising in the British mainland colonies prior to the American Revolution—which occurred on this day in 1739. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more slave insurrection primary sources and other resources related to slavery in the United States. A…
Today in History–September 8–the Library of Congress features the Galveston storm of 1900, which made landfall on this day and, according to the National Weather Service was the deadliest cyclone in U.S. history, responsible for the deaths of at least 8,000 people. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…
Today in History–September 7–the Library of Congress features the Panama Canal. On this date in 1977 U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian Chief of Government Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty, which officially authorized the transfer of the canal’s authority from the United States to the Panama Canal Authority on December 31, 1999. Find…
Today in History–September 6–the Library of Congress features Jane Addams, born on this day in 1860. Addams went on to found Hull House, which provided welfare assistance to needy families and recreation facilities for poor children, and was awarded a Nobel peace prize in 1931. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more…
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features the Rock Springs massacre, which happened on this day in 1885 when a mob of white coal miners attacked their Chinese co-workers after they refused to participate in a strike for higher wages planned by the American miners. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below…
Today in History–September 1–the Library of Congress features poet Phillis Wheatley, whose book of poetry (the first of any African American) was published in London, England on this day in 1773. Read what praise Wheatley received from George Washington and others by visiting the Today in History section. For more poetry resources, check out the Primary Source Nexus posts…
Today in History–August 31–the Library of Congress features the awarding of a federal patent for a kinetographic camera—the forerunner to the motion picture film projector—to Thomas A. Edison on this date in 1897. Find out more by reading the Today in History section and accessing the resources below. Edison’s kinetographic films and parlors Kinetograph historical newspaper coverage Inventing Entertainment: the Motion Pictures and Sound…
Today in History–August 30–the Library of Congress features the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), which ended this date in 1862 with a retreat of Union forces after three days of fighting. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access numerous primary sources and teaching resources related to Bull Run and the…