At the Morse and Whitmore granite quarries in East Barre, Vermont

Today in History: American Federation of Labor & Quarry Workers

Today in History–September 08–the Library of Congress features the Quarry Workers’ International Union of North America, which was granted a charter by the American Federation of Labor (AFL) on this date in 1903. While granite had been mined around the area of Barre, Vermont for years, new waves of immigrants with a strong tradition of unionism arrived in the late 19th…

Van Allen office building, designed by celebrated Chicago School architect Louis H. Sullivan, Chicago, Illinois

Today in History: Louis H. Sullivan

Today in History–September 3–the Library of Congress features architect Louis H. Sullivan, born on this day in 1856 in Boston, Massachusetts. Sullivan moved to Chicago early in his career in 1873. After the great Chicago fire of 1871 there was much work to do and Sullivan became a pioneer in the design of skyscrapers known for his core philosophy that…

Benjamin Harrison

Presidential Spotlight: Benjamin Harrison

Term: 23rd President of the United States (1889–1893) Born: August 20, 1833, North Bend, Ohio Nickname: “Kid Gloves Harrison,” “Little Ben” Education: Miami University (Ohio), graduated 1852 Religion: Presbyterian Marriage: October 20, 1853, to Caroline Lavinia Scott (1832–1892) April 6, 1896, to Mary Scott Lord Dimmick (1858–1948) Children: Russell Benjamin (1854–1936), Mary Scott (1858–1930), Elizabeth…

Gold Medal Flour Ad. New-York tribune. (New York [N.Y.]), 10 March 1900

Guided Primary Source Analysis: 1900 Gold Medal Flour Ad

Review these advertising persuasion techniques. Describe the technique(s) you find present in this 1900 newspaper advertisement for Gold Medal flour that appeared in the New-York Daily Tribune. Review the headlines on this page and scan the articles (online | .pdf). Do you think the audience for the articles is the same audience that Gold Medal flour…

The immigrant. Is he an acquisition or a detriment?

Guided Primary Source Analysis: The immigrant. Acquisition or detriment?

According to this political cartoon, what were the pros and cons to immigration in 1903? Take a look at this black-and-white version to more clearly read the cartoon’s text labels. List each group represented and the cartoon’s representation of their views. Investigate historical newspaper articles from 1903 discussing the immigration problem and immigration benefits. List…

Twentieth century transportation

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Twentieth-century Transportation

List the different types of transportation that you see. How many instances of each type can you spot in the print? How have these types of transportation changed in the 21st century? What are some new types of transportation? What types of transportation can you imagine there might be in the 22nd century? What other observations, reflections or…

A series of statistical charts illustrating the condition of the descendants of former African slaves now in residence in the United States of America

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Condition of the Descendants of Former African Slaves

Why is the information provided in both English and French? The pie graph gives statistics for which group of people? Use the information provided in this text as well as the bibliographic record to determine one or more purposes of this text. What other observations, reflections or questions does this source inspire? Let us know!…

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH WOODROW WILSON

Today in History: Princeton University

Today in History–June 9–the Library of Congress features Princeton University. On this date in 1902, alumnus Woodrow Wilson was unanimously elected university president after more than a decade as a respected teaching scholar. During his tenure, Wilson instituted a system of core requirements followed by two years of specialized concentration. After Princeton, Wilson served one term as governor of New…

Drawing by Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter, April 1880

Today in History: Bell’s Photophone

Today in History–June 3–the Library of Congress features the invention of the photophone on this date in 1880 by Alexander Graham Bell. Although more famously known for the telephone, the photophone transmitted sound on a beam of light. This technology with the precursor to fiber optics which today transmits voice and data communications at the speed of light….

The White House Wedding

Today in History: Grover Cleveland

Today in History–June 2–the Library of Congress features President Grover Cleveland, who married Frances Folsom in a White House ceremony on this date in 1886. A lawyer, Cleveland began his political career as mayor of Buffalo, New York, becoming governor of the state the following year and President of the United States just a few years later in 1885. He…

Beaches. Cliff House in San Francisco

Today in History: Sutro Baths & Cliff House

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…