America’s earliest legislators were voracious readers. Congress quickly evinced interest in creating its own libraries. This Edition for Educators explores the connections between the House of Representatives, congressional libraries, and the library system at large.
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Art on September 6, 2022
Spend a lazy afternoon browsing the House Collection. From cartoons to portraits to cubicles, it’s all here online. Here are a few of our most recently digitized treasures.
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As students prepare to participate in this year’s National History Day (NHD), the History, Art & Archives team has compiled topics and resources to inspire and assist aspiring researchers.
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In 1962, Edward Roybal became the first Hispanic American in almost a century to be elected to the U.S. Congress from the state of California. His victory was a milestone for the Mexican-American community of Los Angeles, which had long struggled for a meaningful voice in the city. But the implications of his win would be felt far beyond southern California. Roybal’s first election to the House of Representatives, 60 years ago this November, provided a foundation for the massive expansion of Latino political influence in districts across the country over the ensuing decades.
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Since the 1850s, New Mexico has accounted for an outsized number of the Hispanic-American Members who have served in Congress. Acquired by the United States at the conclusion of the U.S.-Mexico War, Congress admitted New Mexico as a territory via the Compromise of 1850, a political settlement that formally admitted much of what is now the southwestern portion of the United States. Since Jose Manuel Gallegos won election to the House as its second Territorial Delegate in 1853, a total of 21 Hispanic Americans have represented New Mexico in Congress.
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Art on October 26, 2022
In 1877, when this photograph was taken, most sightseers never visited this part of the city. But behind the scenes, Washington’s smallest quadrant kept the metropolis humming, and its residents fought for recognition. Take a closer look to see what the tourists missed.
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Art on November 7, 2022
Most clocks in the House of Representatives are functional objects designed to ensure the smooth running of the legislature. There are about 3,000 of them, wired to a system that synchronizes timekeeping, lights, and buzzers across the campus. Other timepieces in the House are statelier than utilitarian. They provide reminders that even while it deals with urgent matters, the House also takes the long view of history. From fancy to plain, peruse some of the historic clocks in the House.
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New primary sources added to Records Search are ready to use in the classroom. Each document includes a downloadable PDF of the record, primary source analysis worksheet, and transcription if the document is handwritten. Below is a selection of the most recently added records, conveniently organized by historical era and including a related discussion question and options for learning more.
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New primary sources added to Records Search are ready to use in the classroom. Explore records from the emergence of modern America to the contemporary United States (1890–present). Each document includes a downloadable PDF of the record, primary source analysis worksheet, and transcription if the document is handwritten.
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Art on December 5, 2022
Curl up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and the latest treasures added to our online collections.
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Ahead of Crossword Puzzle Day on December 21, the Office of the House Historian invites you to grab a cup of coffee and take a break with our newest crossword puzzle.
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Art on December 14, 2022
Today, the House of Representatives unveiled a new portrait of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On January 4, 2007, Pelosi became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. The painting joins a collection of historical portraits of former House Speakers.
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