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Archive: 2024 (8 Posts)

Two black and white globe drawings of the Earth, showing which parts of the Southern Hemisphere will be turned towards Venus at the start and end of the transit.

The 1874 Transit of Venus in the News

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

December 8, 2024 marked the 150th anniversary of the 1874 transit of Venus, the phenomena when Venus crosses between the Earth and the Sun. The event prompted many countries to plan scientific expeditions to the areas directly beneath the travel line in hopes of getting the best view. Read about how the transit was anticipated in the daily news!

Collage of a portrait of John Rankin, a newspaper headline that reads American Anti-Slavery Society, and a newspaper headline that reads The Nestor of Abolition.

Researcher Story: Caleb Franz on Rev. John Rankin

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

An interview with researcher Caleb Franz who utilized the collections at the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room for his new book "The Conductor: The Story of Rev. John Rankin, Abolitionism’s Essential Founding Father." Read about his researcher experience, cool discoveries, and tips and recommendations for navigating the collections.

Black and white illustration of a prairie homestead landscape. Two men stand in a grave alongside an open coffin. Seven men, women, and a child are bystanders.

The Bloody Benders: Homestead of Horrors

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

Read about the serial killer Bender family from Cherryvale, Kansas, in Chronicling America, with first-hand accounts and breaking news as it was printed in 1873. The unsolved mystery of the Benders captivated headlines for over 50 years.

shelves of stacks of current newspapers with labels for the Washington Times, USA Today, Baltimore Sun.

How to Find Currently Received Newspapers

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

Learn how to find 21st century newspapers (current newspapers) in the Serial and Government Publications Division collections. These are mostly accessible on-site only, but you can look up titles from the comfort of your own computer using our interactive lists. "How to find" is a new blog series on tips, tricks, and tools to help you navigate the collections of the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room.

Three mastheads and headlines from the front pages of The Echo, The Daily Bulletin, and the Omaha Guide.

Mary McLeod Bethune: Newspapers and Comic Books

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) dedicated her whole life to advocating for civil rights, especially the education of youth. You can find her work making headlines in Chronicling America newspapers, as well as her friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and other high profile people of the day. Even some comic books featured her biography.

Comic books propped up and laid open on display.

A Comics Display for the British Library

Posted by: Joanna Colclough

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the British Library, the Serial and Government Publications Division displayed some related comic book content on Captain Britain, Miracleman, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Winston Churchill.