Elmhurst flag day, June 18, 1939, Du Page County centennial

Today in History: Flag Day

Today in History–June 14–the Library of Congress features Flag Day, which celebrates the adoption of the first design of the United States flag by the Continental Congress on this date in 1777. Did you know that there have been 27 official versions of the flag? Get more fascinating flag facts by visiting the Today in History section (see the April…

The careful hands of women are trained in precise aircraft engine installation duties at Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, Calif.

Today in History: Office of War Information (OWI)

Today in History–June 13–the Library of Congress features the Office of War Information (OWI), which was created on this date in 1942. Later that year, the documentary photography unit of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) was transferred to the OWI. An important U.S. government propaganda agency during World War II, OWI supported the war effort by recording the nation’s preparations for…

The wonderful East-River suspension bridge connecting the great cities of New York and Brooklyn

Today in History: Roebling & the Brooklyn Bridge

Today in History–June 12–the Library of Congress features civil engineer John A. Roebling, born on this day in 1806. Roebling’s last and greatest achievement was completing the Brooklyn bridge in 1883. The bridge spans New York’s East River nearly 1,600 feet to connect Manhattan with Brooklyn. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to…

Frederick C. Robie House

Today in History: Frank Lloyd Wright

Today in History—June 8—the Library of Congress features architect Frank Lloyd Wright, born on this day in 1867. Famous for his Prairie School houses, Wright also produced innovative yet practical plans for public buildings. His personal life, however was quite the opposite of his architecture. Learn more by the Today in History section, then click the links below to access…

Daniel Boone hat, fur detachable

Today in History: Daniel Boone

Today in History–June 7–the Library of Congress features Daniel Boone, who laid eyes on the woodlands of modern-day Kentucky on this day in 1769. He arrived there after ignoring a British ban on westward migration. Find out more about this famous frontiersman known for his coonskin cap by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. The…

Beyond the Beach

Today in History: D-Day

Today in History–June 6–the Library of Congress features D-Day. On this day in 1944, American, British and Canadian forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France in a coordinated effort to open the western front. Learn more about this tragic but ultimately successful strike by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access loads of primary sources…

Representative Americans

Today in History: Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Today in History–June 5–the Library of Congress features Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This iconic American novel originally appeared in serial form, the first installment published on this day in 1851 in the abolitionist weekly the Washington National Era. The following year Stowe’s book was published and became an instant bestseller and later became a theatrical hit….

WOMAN SUFFRAGE. SUFFRAGE BUS

Today in History: Congress Approves 19th Amendment

Today in History–June 4–the Library of Congress features U.S. Congressional approval of the the woman’s suffrage amendment on this day in 1919. But victory was still a ways off, It took over a year for the necessary three quarters of the 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii were not admitted into the Union until 1959) to ratify the 19th…

Policemen's parade, Fifth Avenue, New York

Today in History: New York City’s Finest

Today in History–June 1–the Library of Congress features the New York City police department, whose annual parade was filmed on this day in 1899. Learn more about “New York City’s Finest” by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover primary sources about police officers in New York City and other places. Films Police…

Walt Whitman, 1819-1892, half-length portrait, seated, facing right

Today in History: Walt Whitman

Today in History–May 31–the Library of Congress features writer Walt Whitman, born on this day in 1819. Whitman was a journalist, essayist, and poet whose poems written after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln cast him into the national spotlight. Learn more this American literary icon by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to discover more Whitman…

Memorial Day, May 30th

Today in History: Memorial Day

Today in History–May 30–the Library of Congress features Memorial Day, first celebrated on this day in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Learn more about this national day of observance celebrating those who died in defense of the United States by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources….

Apostle Islands, L[ake] S[uperior], Temple Gate

Today in History: Wisconsin

Today in History–May 29–the Library of Congress features Wisconsin, which became the 30th state in the Union on this day in 1848. Learn more about the “badger state” by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures about this midwestern state. Wisconsin stories from America’s Library Wisconsin primary source set with Teacher’s Guide Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Books from Michigan, Minnesota,…