Yellowstone became the United States’ first national park on March 1, 1872. Act Establishing Yellowstone National Park: Primary Documents in American History Report upon the Yellowstone National Park to the Secretary of the Interior 1879 Creating Yellowstone National Park legislation primary source set Yellowstone National Park images Yellowstone National Park maps Yellowstone Park Guide: A…
Today in History–December 21–the Library of Congress features the Hoover Dam, which got its start when President Calvin Coolidge signed the Boulder Canyon Project Act on this date in 1928. Originally known as the Boulder Dam, this wonder of civil engineering distributes water from the Colorado River for use in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah,…
Background The “Corps of Discovery” expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the years 1804-1806 was instrumental in opening up western North America to settlement. After this defining exploration, fur companies further investigated westward routes. Financed by John J. Astor’s Pacific Fur Company, an 1812 expedition led by Robert Stuart began on the west coast…
Today in History–December 10–the Library of Congress features Wyoming, which granted women the right to vote on this day in 1869 while still a U.S. territory. Three months later the first women jurors reported for duty in Laramie, attracting international attention. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to learn more about the culture…
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 primary sources Buckaroos in Paradise Collection…
Today in History–September 2–the Library of Congress features the Rock Springs massacre, which happened on this day in 1885 when a mob of white coal miners attacked their Chinese co-workers after they refused to participate in a strike for higher wages planned by the American miners. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section then click the links below…