Posts in “history” (162)
Blog Articles
So, what’s the story with Abraham Lincoln wearing a leather biker jacket? If you’ve ever entered or exited Parkway Central Library through the back door on Wood Street, you might have… continue reading Abraham Lincoln: Fashion Trendsetter or Patent Pioneer?
By written by Paul A. February 17, 2017 3
The peaceful transfer of power from one presidential administration to the next is a hallmark of our democracy—and something that Americans take great pride in. The occasion is particularly… continue reading Presidential Inaugural Stories and Anecdotes
By written by Richard L. January 17, 2017
Philadelphia is a wild and weird city. There’s so much to love, to hate, to love to hate, and to hate to love. There’s also so much that we, as every day Philadelphians, have somehow… continue reading Philadelphia: City of the Uncanny and the Arcane
By written by Sarah M. January 5, 2017
Are you a fan of HBO’s television series Game of Thrones ? The sixth season of the series based on George R. R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire ended in June, and… continue reading The Real Game of Thrones - Historical Events that Inspired the Novels and Show
By written by Camille T. November 29, 2016 3
I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by the British Royal Family (remember my excitement about the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton back in 2011?). Perhaps it’s… continue reading Grab a Cup of Tea and Learn About the Queen
By written by Camille T. November 14, 2016
It’s National Native American Heritage Month and the Free Library of Philadelphia is celebrating by reading books by authors who write about their Native heritage. We’re especially… continue reading How Well Do You Know Native American Authors Sherman Alexie and Louise Erdrich?
By written by Becky F. November 8, 2016 1
The anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks is a time for reflection, but it’s also a time for conversation. The generation of children that can remember the attack is now… continue reading Talking about September 11 with Children
By written by Chris B. September 9, 2016
The Print and Picture Collection is happy to announce the addition of over 100 photographic images by William Rapp to our Historical Images of Philadelphia digital… continue reading William Rapp Collection of Historical Images of Philadelphia
By written by Laura S. August 29, 2016
Our literary Christmas is almost upon us: Philadelphia’s favorite bookish holiday— Bloomsday —arrives on Thursday, June 16, and we couldn’t be more excited! This annual… continue reading Philadelphia’s Literary Christmas—Bloomsday!
By written by Julie B. May 27, 2016
We like to think that history is fact. History as a thing is merely “events of the past”; and history the subject is the study of those events. But upon closer study, it becomes clear… continue reading #OneBookWednesday: How We Teach Slavery and the Civil War
By written by Julie B. November 18, 2015 2
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Last week’s deadly train derailment in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia was eerily similar to a crash that happened at the same junction on Labor Day in 1943. The 1943 accident… continue reading 1943 Philadelphia Train Derailment Tragedy
By written by David N. May 21, 2015
Cranberry production was down four percent this year – but American farmers still produced over eight million barrels (800 million pounds) of the fall favorite, so the country should have a… continue reading Thanksgiving Day
By written by Timothy F. November 24, 2014
There are almost 20 million veterans currently living in the United States, and almost 12 percent of Pennsylvania’s adult population has served in an American war. (Source: 2013 American… continue reading The Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month
By written by Timothy F. November 9, 2014
Daylight saving time (aka daylight time, aka DST) has its origins in the United States with the Standard Time Act of 1918 (See Pub.L. 65-106, United States Statutes at Large , 65 th Congress), an… continue reading Fall Back
By written by Timothy F. October 30, 2014
![Knights of Columbus on Columbus Day, 1910 [Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0003451. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum]](https://libwww.freelibrary.biz/images/blog/FLPBlog/orig/knights of columbus.jpg)
The second Monday of every October is Columbus Day, a day commemorating Christopher Columbus’s first sighting of the Americas ( San Salvador Island , specifically) and celebrated as early as… continue reading What You Might Not Have Known About Columbus Day
By written by Timothy F. October 9, 2014
Input was a Philadelphia panel discussion program hosted by John S. Stokes, Jr. that aired Sunday mornings on WCAU-TV10 from 1968 through early 1971. The program is a window in to the people… continue reading Streaming Philadelphia History - Introducing Input with Marion Stokes & John S. Stokes, Jr
By written by Jamie W. May 5, 2014
"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for. But, my… continue reading A Celebration of Nelson Mandela's Life Through Word and Song
By written by Peter SM December 12, 2013
John Derstine Souder (1865-1942) was raised on a Mennonite farm near Telford in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was a storekeeper, postmaster, and poultry dealer before retiring. … continue reading John Derstine Souder’s Fraktur in the Henry Stauffer Borneman Pennsylvania German Collection
By written by Del-Louise M. December 9, 2013
“I must do what is right for me,” he muttered under his breath while gathering up his tools and shuttering the shop window. Jacob Eichholtz was living a double life, and it soon… continue reading I Must Do What Is Right For Me ~ The Jacob Eichholtz Book of Sketches and Painterly Advice
By written by Del-Louise M. November 14, 2013 1
Earlier this year I read the autobiography Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup and was blown away. While reading the book I often thought about what I learned about slavery in school and the… continue reading 12 Years A Slave and Slave Narratives
By written by Camille T. November 13, 2013 3