Today in History–March 17–the Library of Congress features St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorates the death of the patron saint of Ireland who, as legend has it, died on this date circa 492. The holiday has been celebrated in the United States since the 18th century. Across the country today, many people celebrate with parades and…
Today in History–March 14–the Library of Congress features the official opening of the Sutro Baths on this date in 1896. The Sutro Baths was an extravagant public bathhouse just north of Cliff House, another popular San Francisco attraction also owned by a former city mayor, Adolph Sutro. Learn more about these baths by the sea by visiting the Today in History section, then following the…
Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell’s knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help…
Today in History–March 3–the Library of Congress features the largest recorded slave auction in U.S. history, held on this date in 1859. Referred to as “The Weeping Time”, the two-day auction of 436 men, women, and children formerly held by Pierce M. Butler was held pay off Butler’s financial losses from the crash of 1857-58 as well as…
Today in History–February 27–the Library of Congress features Mathew Brady who photographed presidential hopeful Abraham Lincoln before a speech on this day in 1860. At successful studio photographer, Brady set out to document the people, places and events of the Civil War. The historical impact of the endeavor is priceless but at the time, left him penniless. Find out…
Today in History–February 26–the Library of Congress features Acadia National Park in Maine. On this day in 1919, Congress approved an Act to Establish the Lafayette National Park at Mt. Desert Island. Ten years later this coastal Maine park expanded and was renamed Acadia National Park. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section then discovering the primary source linked to below. Acadia National Park…
Today in History–January 13–the Library of Congress features the Nullification Crisis. On this date in 1833, President Andrew Jackson wrote his new president Vice President Martin Van Buren affirming his commitment to preventing South Carolina’s defiance of federal authority by nullifying national tariff laws. The Nullification Crisis began in November, 1832 when South Carolina nullified a federal tariff. On December 10, 1832…
Today in History–January 7–the Library of Congress features singer Marian Anderson, who made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on his day in 1955. Barred from attending a Philadelphia music school because of her race, Anderson’s family, friends and church helped fund private voice lessons. Although she toured Europe and the United States extensively, Anderson continued to suffer…
Today in History–December 30–the Library of Congress features politician John Peter Altgeld, born on this day in 1847. A lawyer, Altgeld served as a city attorney and a county prosecutor before serving on the bench of Cook County’s Superior Court from 1886 to 1891. In 1892 he was elected governor of Illinois. A progressive, Altgeld passed penal and legal…
Today in History–December 18–the Library of Congress features the state of New Jersey, which ratified the U.S. Constitution on this day in 1787; it was the third state to join the Union. Nicknamed the “Garden State” in the 19th century for its rolling farmlands, today New Jersey is known for its shoreline tourism and is also…
Today in History–December 10–the Library of Congress features baseball player Walter Johnson, who died on this day in 1946. Johnson played 21 seasons with the Washington Senators and later became the team’s manager. Nicknamed “The Big Train”, Johnson is considered to have one of the best fastball pitchers ever. His accomplishments include the following: scored more…
Today in History–November 27–the Library of Congress features statesman Robert R. Livingston, born on this day in 1746. Born into a prominent New York family, Livingston was a politically active lawyer. He was on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, helped draft New York’s first constitution, and served as minister to France at the…