From the feared fruitcake to the mysterious figgy pudding, the winter holidays are a wonderful time to get creative in the kitchen. It may surprise you to learn that many familiar holiday recipes have traveled several centuries and continents from their origins to end up on our tables. Please enjoy these festive recipes from the past and find more to savor in historic newspapers on Chronicling America.
Burris Jenkins Jr (1897-1966) was a sports journalist and cartoonist for Hearst Publications, most notably the New York Journal-American. Find his work in Chronicling America.
After the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the delegates spread the word as quickly as possible by publishing it on a broadside sheet and delivering it throughout the Colonies. Copies of the Dunlap Broadside (named after the printer) are now extremely rare, with only about two dozen copies known to surive. The Library has two, one of which belonged to George Washington.
This year’s National Book Festival will take place on August 12, 2023, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Find out more about the Library’s presentations on our comic book and newspaper collections at the Library of Congress Pavilion, and take a look at some of the incredible authors and artists who will be speaking at the Festival!
On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Yellowstone National Park Act, establishing the first national park in America, and the first of its kind in the world! Take a look at some of the scenic and magnificent National Parks you can visit this summer.
The siege of Vicksburg ended on July 4, 1863. The newspaper the Daily Citizen kept printing throughout the 47 day siege and resorted to using floral wallpaper when newsprint ran out.
Historic newspapers are a rich yet often overlooked resource when it comes to studying LGBTQIA+ history. Read about search techniques and strategies unique to newspaper research, and watch our new video presentation: Finding LGBTQIA+ History Hidden in Newspapers.