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Category: Collections

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Alhambra Decree: 521 Years Later

Posted by: Francisco Macías

  This Easter Sunday, March 31, marks the 521st anniversary of the issuance of the Alhambra Decree.  To some, that name means nothing.  Perhaps it is better known by its other name: The Edict of Expulsion. It was in the city of Granada, in the spring of 1492 that the Catholic Monarchs, Isabelle of Castile …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

The San Patricios: the Irish Heroes of Mexico

Posted by: Francisco Macías

It has been frequently said that everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.  There may be just a little bit of truth to that.  Those of you who have read my posts have probably noticed the recurring themes of Mexico, Spain, and Hispanic America, among others—all with an unorthodox twist.  This blog post is not the exception.  …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Signatures, Subscription Lists and Printing for the First U.S. Congress – Pic of the Week

Posted by: Nathan Dorn

Today’s pic of the week highlights an item from our collection that finds itself in the spotlight very often, whether as part of a display in one of the Library of Congress’s many fascinating public exhibitions, or as a quasi-sacred book in the swearing-in ceremony of public officials. It is also one of my favorite …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Copyright and Dracula

Posted by: Margaret Wood

Like many people, I have always enjoyed being scared—just a little—not with chainsaws and blood but a contest of wits between the archetypal vampire Dracula and his human opponents.  Dracula of course is not the first  fictional vampire.   John Polidori, physician to Lord Byron, and Sheridan LeFanu both wrote short stories about vampires in the …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

On Despising English Liberties and Other Wisdom from the Founders

Posted by: Nathan Dorn

Today is the anniversary of the ratification of the first written constitution in American history, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, which took place on January 14, 1639. The Fundamental Orders outlined the form of government that would be established over the Connecticut River Towns, enumerating its powers and describing the duties of citizens active in government. A fascinating document …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Treaty on the Creation of the Soviet Union – Signed, Sealed, and Delivered?

Posted by: Kelly Buchanan

The following is a guest post by Peter Roudik, Director of the Global Legal Research Center and a specialist on the laws of Eastern European and former Soviet Union jurisdictions. In previous posts, my colleagues have discussed different types of laws from various countries.  These have included unusual laws, little-known laws, and laws that were …