Today in History: Salem Witch Trials

Today in History: Salem Witch Trials

Today in History–March 1–the Library of Congress features the Salem witch trials, which were sparked when Massachusetts authorities charged three women with witchcraft on this day in 1692. Read more about this brief but dark chapter in U.S. history by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources. Images Texts Books Historical…

Today in History: Alice Paul

Today in History: Alice Paul

Today in History–January 11–the Library of Congress features suffragist leader Alice Paul, born on this date in 1885. Learn more about the National Woman’s Party by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more resources about Alice Paul and the woman suffrage movement. Alice Paul images Alice Paul timeline and select newspaper articles More historical newspaper coverage of Alice…

Today in History: Lucretia Mott

Today in History: Lucretia Mott

Today in History–January 3–the Library of Congress features Lucretia Mott, born on this date in 1793. Learn more this political and social reformer and women’s suffrage activist by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below to access more primary sources about this trailblazing woman. Lucretia Mott was born from America’s Library Lucretia Mott books & articles Lucretia Mott historical newspaper coverage Lucretia Mott…

Today in History: Rosa Parks Arrested

Today in History: Rosa Parks Arrested

Today in History–December 1–the Library of Congress features Rosa Parks, arrested for civil disobedience on this day in 1955. Find out more about this brave woman who helped spark the U.S. civil rights movement by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more related primary sources and resources. Rosa Parks arrest photo Rosa Park’s recollections…

The free population of the United States enjoying the refreshing shade of the tree of liberty

Guided Primary Source Analysis: Tree of Liberty

Click here to save and download this primary source in .pdf format. Open up the document and use the magnification dropdown to look carefully at the political cartoon; if you are having trouble reading the text, use the transcription provided in the summary above. The illustration shows both northern and southern points of view. What…

Today in History: Mathematician & Astronomer Benjamin Banneker

Today in History: Mathematician & Astronomer Benjamin Banneker

Today in History–November 9–the Library of Congress features mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker, born on this day in 1731. This largely self-taught surveyor and scientist influenced how African Americans were viewed during the Federal period. Learn more about Banneker by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources and other resources related to Banneker,…

Primary Source Learning: Veteran Teaching Resources & Strategies

Primary Source Learning: Veteran Teaching Resources & Strategies

“The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.” The Teaching with the Library of Congress blog provides some great starting points for using the Veterans History…

Today in History: Sarah Winnemucca

Today in History: Sarah Winnemucca

Today in History–October 14–the Library of Congress features Sarah Winnemucca, who died on this day in 1891. Winnemucca was first Native American woman to publish a book in English, Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, which is an autobiographical account of her tribe’s experiences during their first forty years of contact with white explorers and settlers….

Today in History: Kathy Whitworth & Golf

Today in History: Kathy Whitworth & Golf

Today in History–September 27–the Library of Congress features champion golfer Kathy Whitworth, born on this day in 1939 Whitworth is the winningest golfer in history. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then check out more golf and sports primary source sets. Champion golfer Kathy Whitworth from America’s Library Kathy Whitworth historical newspaper coverage Topics in Chronicling America…

Today in History: Mary Church Terrell

Today in History: Mary Church Terrell

Today in History–September 23–the Library of Congress features Mary Church Terrell, born on this day in 1863. One of the first African American women to graduate from college, Terrell worked as an educator, political activist, and first president of the National Association of Colored Women. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section and clicking the links below. Mary Church Terrell primary source set Mary…

Today in History: First U.S. Daily Newspaper

Today in History: First U.S. Daily Newspaper

Today in History–September 21–the Library of Congress features the beginning of publication of the nation’s first daily newspaper, the Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, on this day in 1784. Prior to 1784 the newspaper’s publisher, John Dunlap, had published a weekly newspaper. Dunlap’s shop had also printed the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Continuing to serve…

Today in History: Jane Addams & Hull House

Today in History: Jane Addams & Hull House

Today in History–September 6–the Library of Congress features Jane Addams, born on this day in 1860. Addams went on to found Hull House, which provided welfare assistance to needy families and recreation facilities for poor children, and was awarded a Nobel peace prize in 1931. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more…