Today in History–August 29–the Library of Congress features Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on this date in 2005 near Buras, Louisiana, and headed north. Two hours later New Orleans’ Industrial Canal levee had been breached and within an hour, the neighborhood known as the Lower Ninth Ward was under six-to-eight feet of water. This devastating hurricane caused damage from Texas…
Today in History–August 26–the Library of Congress features the awarding of a federal patent for the steamboat on this day in 1791 to two (!) men—John Fitch and James Rumsey—each who had devised different systems. Find out whose sketch of what is featured above and uncover more fascinating facts by visiting the Today in History section. Then, if you haven’t run out of…
Access the four drafts and the final version of Langston Hughes’s poem “Ballad of Booker T.” from the Library of Congress. For ideas on helping students to follow the poet’s creative process, check out the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog’s teaching ideas for using the marked-up drafts and final copy of Hughes’ poem “Ballad of Booker T.”…
Today in History–August 25–the Library of Congress features Allan Pinkerton, born on this day in 1819. A dedicated abolitionist, Pinkerton had a shop that was a “station” for escaped slaves traveling the Underground Railroad but his detective career began by chance when he unwittingly discovered then knowingly helped nab two sets of counterfeiters. Find out more about the crime-busting exploits of this Private Eye…
Today in History–August 24–the Library of Congress features the Panic of 1857, which began on this date and was one of the most severe economic crises in U.S. history. Find out more about this event and other financial crises of the 19th century and early 20th century by reviewing the Today in History section and the resources below. Panic…
Today in History–August 22–the Library of Congress features the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC), later renamed the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), which was formed on this day in 1966. Under the leadership of founders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the UFW won many concessions for disenfranchised Mexican-American farmworkers. Find out more by reading the Today in History section, then clicking the…
Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features the burning of the capital city by British troops during the War of 1812. On August 19, 1814 the British landed at Benedict, Maryland. Five days later, on August 24, British forces attacked Washington D.C., setting fire to many government buildings including the White House and the Capitol building (which housed the 3,000-volume Library of…
Today in History–August 18–the Library of Congress features explorer Meriwether Lewis, born on this day in 1774. Together with William Clark, Lewis set out on May 14, 1804 at the behest of President Thomas Jefferson to look for a Northwest Passage, or water route to the Pacific Ocean. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below…
Today in History–August 17–the Library of Congress features a letter dated August 17, 1790 that George Washington penned to Moses Seixas, a prominent Jewish leader in Rhode Island, that articulated Washington’s belief in religious freedom and the first presidential affirmation of the free and equal status of Jewish-American citizens. “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship…
Today in History–August 16–the Library of Congress features the Hippodrome Theater, which closed permanently on this day in 1939. Opened in 1905, this gigantic theater seated up to 5,200 people and was the stage for the most popular vaudeville performers of the time, including Harry Houdini. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links…
Today in History–August 11–the Library of Congress features swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, also known as the “father of international surfing“, who broke the world record in the 100-yard freestyle swim by 4.6 seconds in Honolulu Harbor on this day in 1911. Kahanamoku went on to win numerous gold and silver medals in several Olympic Games and helped to repopularize surfing as a sport. Find out…
Today in History–August 10–the Library of Congress features Missouri, which entered the Union this day in 1821, becoming the twenty-fourth state. Commonly known as the Show Me State, you can learn more about the state’s history and culture by visiting the Today in History section, then following the links below to access more primary source treasures. Missouri stories from America’s Library Missouri primary source set…