Did you know that the food and the word chocolate (choolatl/ xocolātl) originated from Mesoamerica (part of Mexico and Central America)? The Aztecs and the Mayans were some of the first people to consume chocolate, mostly in beverage form, for medicinal and religious purposes. In fact, many foods we consume today, like avocados, chilies, corn, […]
This is the Business Reference Desk in the Science & Business Reading Room. This is where to find us when you are at the Library if you need help searching for company information, trade data, information on a particular industry, or any other business-oriented topic. But, if you aren’t in the area or can’t come […]
1. What is your background? I was born and raised in the small provincial town of Cherkasy, Ukraine. I graduated from the Cherkasy Banking Institute with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and auditing. During my studies in Ukraine, I participated in research activities, national olympiads, and presented my student papers at national and international […]
Last year’s Labor Day post was about the history of Labor Day. This year, I thought I would highlight sources that can be used to learn more about American labor and issues affecting the workplace. The U.S. Department of Labor has a long history of publishing information. The Labor Bulletin began in 1913 and the […]
Labor Day weekend starts in a few hours so I thought I would feature a photograph of the Adams Building (then known as the Library of Congress Annex) while it was under construction. Funds for the construction of the building were appropriated in 1930, with an additional appropriation in 1935. It was mentioned in in […]
1. What is your background? I hail from Silver Spring, Maryland, about fifteen miles away from the Library. I currently attend Montgomery College where I am studying Psychology and Neuroscience. Before starting college I had the opportunity to live in Israel where I studied Jewish texts such as the Talmud. It was a once in […]
Today’s post is by 2011 Junior Fellow Brian Horowitz of Montgomery College in Maryland. Brian is also the author of the Art of War…and of Sandwich Making and Stumbled upon in the Stacks– a brief biography of Brevet Major Alfred Mordecai. In elementary school my favorite lunch consisted of a peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich in a brown […]
1. What is your background? My family currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin. I have also lived in Davenport, Iowa; Modesto, California; and Edwardsville, Illinois. I finished my first year at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. I am a Younglife leader for a group of high school freshman girls, an Admissions Ambassador, a member of […]
Tuesday’s 5.8 earthquake located in Virginia reminded me that the earth is alive. It also reminded me that it is important to always be prepared, because you never know what Mother Nature has in store for us. As expected, earthquakes and their effect on buildings and other structures are hot topics right now. If you want […]
1. What is your background? I’m a true Midwesterner! I am from the Chicago suburbs and attend college in Rock Island, Illinois. I am a sophomore at Augustana College and will pursue a double major in Anthropology and Religion. I love learning about people’s cultures, values, and beliefs, which drove me to […]