Rumania's day

World Spotlight: Romania

Romania primary source set, World Digital Library Romania maps Romania image set Books about Romania (1800-1929, in English and other languages) Romanian sheet music Romanian songs (audio recordings) Drago Ensemble Concert (streaming webcast) U.S. veteran oral histories (service in Romania) Roumania primary source set Historical newspaper coverage of Roumania (through 1922) Romania country profile Romania country study U.S. legislation related to Romania Guide to…

Treason of Arnold Arnold persuades Andre to conceal the papers in his boot

Today in History: John André & Benedict Arnold

Today in History–October 2–the Library of Congress features Revolutionary War officers Major John André and Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. On this day in 1780 André, a British intelligence officer, was hanged as a spy after being caught with papers concerning Arnold’s treasonous dealings. Only a short time before, the Continental army general had agreed to surrender West Point to the British in exchange…

The government of Spain donated this statue of Juan Ponce de Leon in downtown Miami, Florida

Today in History: Juan Ponce de León

Today in History–September 27–the Library of Congress features Juan Ponce de León, who was granted permission to settle Bimini Island and Florida on this day in 1514.  Seven years later, in 1521, Ponce de León sailed from Puerto Rico to Florida with two ships, two hundred men, fifty horses, as well as other domestic animals and agricultural tools….

Porgy and Bess title page

Today in History: George Gershwin & Gullah Culture

Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features George Gershwin, who completed the orchestral score of the opera—Porgy and Bess—based on the DuBose Heyward novel on this date in 1935. The opera, like the novel, depicted the African-American Gullah culture of South Carolina. Learn more about this remarkable man and his collaborators on the internationally known opera by visiting the Today in History section and clicking…

Scrapbook page featuring coverage of the birth of Ball and Arnaz’s real-life baby, Desi Arnaz, Jr., 1953

Today in History: Television

Today in History–August 19–the Library of Congress features children’s television. On this date in 1950, ABC aired its first Saturday morning children’s television shows: Animal Clinic and the variety show Acrobat Ranch, which featured two young acrobats, Tumbling Tim and Flying Flo, and children competing in games and stunts. Learn more about children’s television as well as…

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, D.C.

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today in History–January 15–the Library of Congress features civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., born on this date in 1929. King entered Morehouse College at 15, received a bachelor of divinity from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951, and a Ph.D from Boston University in 1955. Armed with his doctorate and belief in the use of non-violent action to…

Front cover of Jackie Robinson comic book

Today in History: Jackie Robinson

Today in History–October 11–the Library of Congress features baseball great Jackie Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the second game of the 1972 World Series game on this day. The game also featured a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of breaking the color line, which Jackson did in 1947 when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He finished…

William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury (1929)

Today in History: William Faulkner

Today in History–September 25–the Library of Congress features writer William Faulkner, born on this day in 1897. Faulkner spent much of his youth in Oxford, Mississippi, later transforming what he knew into great literary works. A writer of deep insight, Faulkner also experimented with form and format; he won the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature and two subsequent Pulitzer Prizes. Learn more about…

America at Work, America at Leisure

Analyzing Primary Sources: Learning from Video Recordings

Video is used to tell stories and provide information. Because we live in a world increasingly dominated by video, it is critical that we teach students how to analyze this powerful primary source that combines moving images with sound and, sometimes, text. In addition to dramatic or documentary films, primary source video recordings include news…

Kentucky Derby, racehorses racing to the finish line in the first race, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

Today in History: Kentucky Derby

Today in History–May 17–the Library of Congress features the Kentucky Derby, first run on this day in 1875. The oldest thoroughbred horse race in the United States, this famous event held at Churchill Downs in Kentucky was begun by Meriwether Lewis Clark, child of William Clark who named his son after his exploration partner Meriwether Lewis. Learn more about the race and…

Title page: The Good housekeeping hostess

Today in History: Good Housekeeping Debuts

Today in History–May 2–the Library of Congress features the debut of Good Housekeeping on this date in 1885. This popular women’s magazine offered information about running a home and also provided opportunities for reader input (hey, it’s social media 19th-century style). Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to delve into some fascinating primary sources. Good Housekeeping Magazine…

Charlesbank, plan of 1892 (Olmsted drawing)

Today in History: Frederick Law Olmsted

Today in History–April 26–the Library of Congress features Frederick Law Olmsted, born on this day in 1822. Find out more about this world famous landscape architect by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access primary sources about Olmstead. Frederick Law Olmsted Papers Olmsted Associates Records Frederick Law Olmsted historical newspaper coverage Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic…