Today in History–April 28–the Library of Congress features Billy the Kid, who killed two guards while making his escape from a New Mexico jail on this date in 1881. But was he a folk villain or hero? Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the primary source trail to uncover more perspectives on this infamous Wild West character. Billy the Kid Escaped from Jail from America's Library Young Gun Library of Congress blog April 20, 2015 The Authentic Life of … [Read more...]
Primary Source Spotlight: Western Expansion & Manifest Destiny
November 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This set of primary sources and teaching resources focuses, primarily, on the time period 1800-1860. Western expansion stories from America's Library Western expansion timeline (includes primary source activities) Primary Source sets Western expansion (includes teacher guide) Primary Source Learning: Expansion & Reform (includes learning activity) Primary source collections Pioneering the Upper Midwest: Books from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, 1820-1910 … [Read more...]
Today in History: Thomas Moran
February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–February 12–the Library of Congress features painter Thomas Moran, born on this date in 1837. In 1871 Moran joined a scientific exploration of lands along the Yellowstone River headed by Ferdinand V. Hayden. Moran's paintings, together with photographer William Henry Jackson's photographs, helped spur public interest in the area and convince Congress to set aside the Yellowstone area as a national park in 1872. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and by clicking … [Read more...]
Primary Source Learning: Native American Indian Perspectives
November 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In celebration of Native American Heritage month, the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great suggestions for teaching students to view the experiences and contributions of Native American Indians from various perspectives. Links to more Native American teaching resources are listed below and you'll find even more primary source resources from around the Library via the PSN curated Native American Heritage themed link set. Lesson Plans & Activity Ideas Learning … [Read more...]
Today in History: Cowboys & Fall Roundup Time
October 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–October 7–the Library of Congress features cowboys, or buckaroos, and fall roundup time. On this day in 1979 the Ninety-Six Ranch in Nevada completed its fall roundup and trail drive. Learn more about this roundup in the Today in History section then click the links below to access all sorts of cowboy stories and primary sources. Cowboy stories Buckaroos Nevada’s Buckaroos Cowboy poetry Dakota Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Medora Cheyenne Frontier Days Montana … [Read more...]
Today in History: Colorado
August 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Today in History–August 1–the Library of Congress features Colorado, which entered the Union this day in 1876, becoming the thirty-eighth state known as the Centennial State. Visit the Today in History section to learn about the state’s history and culture, then follow the links below to access more primary source treasures. Colorado stories from America's Library Colorado primary source set Colorado maps Pictorial Americana: Selected images of Colorado Colorado images Colorado … [Read more...]
Today in History: Owen Wister & Cowboy Culture
July 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Home on the Range (.mp3) Today in History–July 14–the Library of Congress features novelist Owen Wister, born on this day in 1860, whose 1902 novel The Virginian helped create the myth of the American cowboy. Click on the image above to zoom into key scenes from the novel highlighted on this literary map, then visit the Today in History section to learn more about cowboy culture. Still pining for more? Click the links below to access loads of cowyboy-related stories and primary … [Read more...]
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