The medieval English charter known as Magna Carta was intended as a local political document, created to make peace between England's King John and his barons in the early thirteenth century. However, it carried within it powerful ideas about the limits of government and the importance of individual liberty, and its influence has spread across the centuries and around the globe.
As our fourth and final blog post this fall related to the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, it seems appropriate that its theme focus on the concept of legacy. What a singer-songwriter leaves behind, from recordings, to manuscripts, to lyrics, can be thought of as their tangible legacies. The impact of his or her work, the connections listeners and concert goers make to the music, and the emotions the music inspires--these are some of the intangible legacies.
Billy Joel is the sixth Gershwin Prize Honoree, and all previous winners were also interviewed upon receipt of their awards. In each case, they too, spoke of individuals--parents, other musicians, and teachers--who inspired them or in some way influenced them.
As the new school year begins, the Library of Congress invites students everywhere to touch, draw on and analyze some of its most valuable treasures--all via a new set of free interactive ebooks for iPads.
The Library of Congress 2014-15 educator webinar series kicks off tonight at 7:00 ET with a program about Constitution Day Resources. Join teachers and school librarians from around the country to get quick access to primary sources and teacher tools to use with your students in time for Constitution Day.
Here at the Library, we on the K-12 education team are reflecting on the fact that this blog has reached its three-year anniversary. At the same time, we're looking forward to a busy summer.
The Library of Congress has just launched a new collection, The Library of Congress Celebrates the Songs of America, which explores American history through the lens of song.
