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Archive: June 2012 (5 Posts)

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

So — What Books Shaped You?

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

In conjunction with the Monday launch of an exhibition at the Library of Congress titled “Books That Shaped America” as part of its overarching Celebration of the Book, the Library of Congress is making public a list of 88 books by Americans that, it can be argued, shaped the nation over its lifetime. It’s not …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Mr. Morrill Goes to Washington

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

On Monday (June 25) at the Library of Congress – in a conference anybody can attend, free of charge – the contributions of a congressman you’ve probably never heard of, but really should know about, will be explored. Justin Morrill of Vermont may never be as well-known as his executive-branch supporter in these endeavors, Abraham …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Literate Critters

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

When it comes to priceless art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has quite a bit, including a trove of Raphaels. But the Library of Congress (on its National Book Festival site, now live at www.loc.gov/bookfest) has a new Rafael López National Book Festival poster for 2012 that’s priceless, too – because you …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Ray Bradbury and Pogo

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Ray Bradbury, the towering writer of science fiction, died today at age 91. Talk about an author who will be missed … In the United States, our lives have been steeped in science fiction, from the days of “Buck Rogers” and the cheesy B-movies of the 1950s to the phenomena of “Star Trek,” “The Matrix” …

Image of an ornate clock showing 2:05 with sculpted male figures sitting on each side of the clock face

Like a Phoenix, From the Ashes

Posted by: Jennifer Gavin

Two hundred years ago today, President James Madison set pen to paper to write a message to Congress.  His intent was to talk them into making the nation’s first formal declaration of war – on Great Britain, which was squashing U.S. exports as a side effect of a British naval blockade against Napoleon’s France. But …