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Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
Being the self-proclaimed LC weather gal, I felt compelled, and it was thoughtfully suggested to me, to write about the weather on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. I love researching historical weather; the temperature, precipitation, humidity, cloud coverage, wind, etc., all aid in setting the stage or painting the picture of a …
Posted in: Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Weather
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
Many of us associate July 4th, Independence Day, with barbecues, picnics and fireworks. But it is also the day when we proudly display the National Flag of the United States. We honor this day by flying Old Glory’s stars and stripes, draping our buildings with American Flag bunting, and outfitting our celebrations in red, white …
Posted in: Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Technical Reports and Standards
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to give a gallery talk in the Library’s Civil War in America Exhibit Hall about the role of technology during the U.S. Civil War. There were many technologies or tools in use or being developed at this time, such as the telegraph, ironclad steamships (e.g. Merrimack and Monitor), railroads, …
Posted in: Aeronautics/Astronautics, Biography, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Inventions, Military science
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
March 19 will mark the 5 year anniversary of the death of Sir Arthur C. Clarke. I would not be writing this blog post if it were not for the curiosity of one of our volunteers, Richard Halada, a local high school physics teacher. Richard was retrieving a book for us in the Adams’ Building …
Posted in: Aeronautics/Astronautics, Astronomy/Mathematics, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
You might think this post will be about the battle between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49’ers in Superbowl XLVII (2013). This post is not about the players or the teams, but about a part of the game. Plain and simple, I am writing about the turf grass (natural and synthetic) because in …
Posted in: Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Inventions, Sports
Posted by: Jennifer Harbster
For the 2013 Presidential Inauguration I am highlighting the First Ladies and their inaugural ball gowns. A BIG THANK YOU to our friend, fashion historian John A. Tiffany, who briefed me on some great moments in inaugural gown history. Fashion is an art, but it is also an industry. The First Lady’s inaugural gown is …
Posted in: Biography, Heritage Months, Holidays, and Today in History, Presidents, Women's History