Category: history
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Releases Final May 2026 Agenda
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has officially released the final Commissioners' Agenda for May 13, 2026. The bilingual document is now available for public viewing.
HistoryScience & Technology Texas Commission on Environmental QualityTCEQCommissioners' AgendaGovernmentEnvironmental PolicyTexasPublic Policy
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Media Monitor: USA Today Reflects on America's 250th Anniversary
USA Today reports on America's upcoming 250th birthday in 2026, reflecting on the nation's identity, historical divides, and the views of presidents interviewed since Nixon.
Politics and GovernmentMediaHistoryGeneral PoliticsWhite HouseFederal GovernmentCongressSocial IssuesMedia Bias USA Today250th AnniversarydemocracyConstitutionpresidentspoliticselectionsUSA TODAY
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Ken Burns Discusses American Revolution with New Jersey Students
Filmmaker Ken Burns joined over 1,000 New Jersey students on Constitution Day to discuss the American Revolution and promote his upcoming PBS film and educational resources.
Politics and GovernmentEducationMediaHistoryState Governments Ken BurnsAmerican RevolutionNew JerseyConstitution DayPBSRevolutionNJOffice of New Jersey Governor
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Allan Pinkerton: From Abolitionist to Detective Agency Founder
Learn about Allan Pinkerton, the founder of Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency, his role in uncovering an assassination plot against Abraham Lincoln, and his agency's involvement in labor disputes.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessHistorySocial IssuesLaw EnforcementEmployment and Labor Allan PinkertonPinkerton's National Detective AgencyUnderground RailroadAbraham LincolnCivil WarHaymarket RiotHomestead StrikeU.S. Library of Congress
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Union Navy's 1864 Victory at Mobile Bay Disrupts Confederate Supply Lines
In 1864, the Union navy captured Fort Morgan, Alabama, breaking Confederate dominance in the Gulf of Mexico after Adm. David Farragut exclaimed, “Damn the torpedoes!” and led his fleet to victory.
Politics and GovernmentMilitaryHistory Civil WarUnion NavyConfederateFort MorganAlabamaDavid FarragutMilitary HistoryU.S. Library of Congress
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Washington's 1790 Letter Affirmed Religious Freedom
In 1790, President George Washington's response to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, affirmed religious freedom and the equal status of Jewish-American citizens. His words remain a key statement on religious liberty in the U.S.
Politics and GovernmentReligionLegalHistory George WashingtonMoses SeixasHebrew CongregationNewportRhode IslandTouro SynagogueFirst AmendmentU.S. Library of Congress
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Florence Kling Harding: First Lady, Businesswoman, and Advocate
Florence Kling Harding, First Lady to President Warren G. Harding, was a businesswoman and advocate for veterans. She managed the Marion Daily Star and championed women's suffrage.
Politics and GovernmentHistoryReligionMediaEurope Florence Kling HardingWarren G. HardingFirst LadyWoman SuffrageMarion Daily StarWalter Reed Army HospitalUS SenateU.S. Library of Congress
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Remembering Nathanael Greene: Revolutionary War Hero
A look at the life and legacy of Nathanael Greene, from his early involvement in the Rhode Island colonial legislature to his pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.
Politics and GovernmentWorldMilitaryHistory Nathanael GreeneRevolutionary WarGeorge WashingtonRhode IslandContinental ArmyWest PointMilitary HistoryU.S. Library of Congress
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The Contentious History of the Ice Cream Cone
Multiple people lay claim to inventing the ice cream cone around 1904. The Library of Congress provides digital resources to explore the history of ice cream and its cultural impact.
BusinessEntertainmentPolitics and GovernmentHistoryFoodReligionMedia Ice Cream ConeSt. Louis World’s FairThomas JeffersonDigital CollectionsFood HistoryInventionLibrary of CongressU.S. Library of Congress
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19th-Century Mexico Through the Eyes of an American Artist
The Library of Congress has published the journals of artist Benajah Jay Antrim, documenting his 1849 journey across Mexico. The collection includes sketches and observations of Mexican life.
WorldMediaPolitics and GovernmentHistoryMexico Benajah Jay AntrimLibrary of CongresstravelarttranscriptionU.S. Library of Congress
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Hamilton-Burr Duel: A Clash of Politics and Personal Animosity
A fatal duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804 highlights the intense political rivalry of the time, leading to legal and political consequences for Burr.
Politics and GovernmentLegalHistory Alexander HamiltonAaron BurrDuelNew JerseyTreason TrialFederalist PapersPolitical HistoryU.S. Library of Congress
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Chronicling America Adds Declaration of Independence Printings
Chronicling America has updated its database with newly-digitized newspapers from contributors to the National Digital Newspaper Program, including issues printing the Declaration of Independence.
Politics and GovernmentMediaHistoryGeneral Politics Chronicling AmericaNational Digital Newspaper ProgramDeclaration of IndependenceAmerican GazetteBoston GazetteVirginia GazetteLibrary of CongressU.S. Library of Congress
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Harry Houdini: From Handcuff King to Magic Legend
Explore the life of Harry Houdini, the 'King of Handcuffs,' from his early days as an unknown magician to his rise as a world-renowned escape artist and his crusade against fraudulent mediums.
EntertainmentPolitics and GovernmentHistoryMediaGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentFilm and TVDigital and Print Publishing Harry Houdinimagicescape artistWilhelmina Beatrice RahnerJean-Eugène Robert-HoudinspiritualismtheaterU.S. Library of Congress
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Columbia University Highlights Texan Elders' Juneteenth Stories
Columbia University's Incite Institute highlights the stories of Black Texans in a new collection, exploring the legacy of Juneteenth and the experiences of those who shaped American public life.
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesEducationMediaGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentHistory JuneteenthColumbia UniversityBlack HistoryTexasApril ReignSeneca VillageHarriet Tubmannewsletter
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Library of Congress Highlights Mother's Day, Early American Cartoon, and War of 1812
The Library of Congress commemorates Mother's Day, the first American political cartoon "Join, or Die" by Benjamin Franklin, and the Siege of Fort Meigs during the War of 1812.
Politics and GovernmentHistoryMilitaryMediaEducationSocial IssuesWorldCanada Mother's DayWoodrow WilsonAnna JarvisJoin, or DieBenjamin FranklinSiege of Fort MeigsWilliam Henry HarrisonU.S. Library of Congress
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Taylor's Victory and Coca-Cola's Debut: Two Events on May 8
On May 8, 1846, General Zachary Taylor won a key battle, protecting Texas and leading to war with Mexico. Forty years later, on the same date, Coca-Cola was first sold in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the start of a global phenomenon.
Politics and GovernmentBusinessHealthHistoryFederal GovernmentEconomyMedical Science Zachary TaylorCoca-ColaMexican WarPalo AltoResaca de la PalmaJohn S. PembertonAtlantaU.S. Library of Congress
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Chronicling America Adds Historic Newspaper Titles
Chronicling America updates its collection with newly digitized newspapers, including titles from New York that published the Federalist Papers, and the Atlanta Daily World.
Politics and GovernmentMediaHistorySocial IssuesEducationMilitaryEuropeAsia Chronicling AmericaNational Digital Newspaper ProgramFederalist PapersAtlanta Daily WorldKentucky GazetteNew YorkNewspapersU.S. Library of Congress
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Robert E. Peary: Explorer of the Arctic and Controversial Discoverer of the North Pole
Robert E. Peary, born May 6, 1856, claimed to discover the North Pole, sparking controversy. His Arctic expeditions, backed by Theodore Roosevelt, involved learning survival skills from the Inuit and building the ship Roosevelt.
HistoryPolitics and GovernmentMilitaryScience & TechnologyWorldGeneral Politics Robert E. PearyMatthew HensonNorth PoleArcticGreenlandNational Geographic SocietyExplorationU.S. Library of Congress
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George Washington's First Inaugural Address
George Washington delivered his first inaugural address to Congress on April 30, 1789, in New York City, establishing a key presidential precedent.
Politics and GovernmentHistoryFederal GovernmentWhite House George WashingtonInaugural AddressCongressNew York CityBill of RightsMount VernonPoliticsU.S. Library of Congress
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George Washington Inaugurated as First President in 1789
George Washington's inauguration as the first U.S. President was marked by grand ceremonies and a unifying speech, as reported in period newspapers. The event took place in New York City in April 1789.
Politics and GovernmentHistoryGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentCongress George WashingtonInaugurationNew-Hampshire GazetteFederal HallGazette of the United StatesNew York CityGovernment