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Archive: January 2013 (9 Posts)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Like a Kid in a Candy Store: Lee Ann Potter, the New Director of Educational Outreach at the Library of Congress

Posted by: Stephen Wesson

The expression “like a kid in a candy store” has been on my mind quite a bit since I began directing educational outreach at the Library of Congress earlier this month! Not only have I been feeling this way, but it has been gratifying (but not surprising!) to find that my colleagues and the audiences we serve feel this way too—about both the Library’s collections and the Library’s programs.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Teaching with the Library of Congress: Top Posts of 2012

Posted by: Danna Bell

“The Library of Congress means many different things to many people,” wrote Stephen Wesson at the start of the second year of the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog. “But for teachers and students it represents a source of discovery and learning unlike any other.” He noted that the first year of the blog had looked at a variety of topics and provided teaching suggestions that help unlock the potential of our unique primary sources.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Taking a Closer Look at Presidential Inaugurations: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

A recent blog post on presidential inaugurations noted that while the Constitution requires only an oath of office, presidential inaugurations have evolved to include many more activities. Many of these elements, including inaugural addresses, are documented in primary sources from the Library of Congress.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Beyond the Oath: Presidential Inaugurations Past to Present in Library of Congress Primary Sources

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

Inaugurations have evolved from this simple oath to include a series of events that both commemorate a transition of power and engage the public. A presidential inauguration also provides teachers and students a powerful lens through which to examine the principles at the foundation of American government—the rule of law, checks and balances, republicanism.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Honoring Our History through Artwork: Martin Luther King, Jr. in Library of Congress Primary Sources

Posted by: Danna Bell

Are there statues in your community created to honor those who have made a difference? Have buildings in your town been named or renamed for important people in history? Martin Luther King, Jr. is one such person. Ask your students to analyze a mural documenting the life of Dr. King, as seen in a photograph from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.