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By: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress will celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and the opening of its new exhibition about the historic charter with programs, both public and private, featuring three U.S. Supreme Court justices and a royal touch. Beginning this week, Princess Anne, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Associate Justice Stephen …
Posted in: Timeless
By: Erin Allen
A Harris Poll of 2,250 people surveyed in November 2013 found that 42 percent of Americans said they believe in ghosts. And, nearly one-in-five adults in the United States say they have seen or been in the presence of a ghost, according to a 2009 Pew Research Center survey. Many people know of at least …
Posted in: Timeless
The following is a guest blog by Anne McLean, Senior Producer for Concerts and Special Projects, Music Division, Library of Congress. On Thursday, October 30, the Music Division celebrates the 150th birthday of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, pianist, composer, and impresario. She was an extraordinarily generous and visionary benefactor , an important music philanthropist who was …
Posted in: In The Muse
The following is a guest blog by conductor, composer and educator Joel Spiegelman, written in commemoration of the Library’s Irving Fine Centennial Festival. During November of 1988 I got a call from Saulius Sondeckis, the conductor of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, asking me if I would be available to conduct his orchestra in a series …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Erin Allen
Jazz pianist Justin Kauflin is quick to laugh and down to earth, taking his national success in stride, especially for a 28-year-old musician. Kauflin has a CD of his original music coming out in January, is currently promoting a documentary film about his friendship with noted jazz trumpeter Clark Terry and has toured with the …
Posted in: Timeless
By: Peter Armenti
The following is a guest post by Rebecca Newland, Teacher in Residence at the Library of Congress. It is cross posted on the Teaching with the Library of Congress blog. One way for teachers to engage students with poetry is to connect poems and poets to historical events. Students gain a deeper appreciation of poets …
Posted in: From the Catbird Seat
By: David Plylar
Have you ever forgotten the pleasures of an early romance, or been unable to recall a tune that is just at the back of your mind? Or, perhaps like late Liszt, have you ever forgotten your keys? Such is the fate of a great deal of wonderful music, and prompted by the occasion of what …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Jennifer Gavin
Today marks the anniversary of the opening of the original Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, on Oct. 22, 1883. This is the hall, no longer in existence, where Enrico Caruso performed “Vesti La Giubba” in “Pagliacci”; where Geraldine Farrar sang “Un Bel Di,” in “Madame Butterfly.” Thanks to radio broadcasts, it was the …
Posted in: Timeless
By: Betty Lupinacci
Hey! Does the Law Library Reading Room think that they get to have all the fun? Stand back Public Services Division! We’ll see your 40,000 volume move to temporary space pending the construction of the new and improved Law Library Reading Room, and up the ante to a 2.4 million (give or take 100,000) volume …
Posted in: In Custodia Legis
By: Erin Allen
On Oct. 16, 1758, Noah Webster, the “Father of American Scholarship and Education” was born. Lexicographers everywhere celebrate his contributions on his birthday, also known as “Dictionary Day.” As a young, rural Connecticut teacher, he used his own money to publish his first speller in 1783. Reissued throughout the 19th century, the 1829 “Blue Back …
Posted in: Timeless