Online Release of the 1940 Census

The 1940 census will be released online to the public on April 2, 2012 at 9:00 am (eastern). This is the first time a census will be released online. See some interesting comparisons between 1940 & 2010 from the Facts for Features Special Edition news release by the Census Bureau. View this clip from the National Archives to learn about staff preparations & how to use the data. A look back at history will show a poster created to encourage citizens to complete the 1940 census from the Library of Congress.

Poets Laureate

Have you ever wondered what on earth does a poet laureate do? Wonder no more by reading the latest post from the blog From the Catbird Seat (Library of Congress).

Finding Historic American Newspapers

History students take note, the Library of Congress has a digitized collection of historic American newspapers, Chronicling America, from 1836-1922.

There's an App for it: Congressional Record

Now iPad users may read the daily edition of the Congressional Record using the Congressional Record App from iTunes. Learn more about the app, the Congressional Record itself and how to read the daily edition if you don't own an iPad from the blog post, Now There’s a Congressional Record App for That (Law Librarians of Congress).

More About Twitter & the Library of Congress

Twitter users, you should feel better about the gift of Twitter to the Library of Congress after you read this FAQ. At least, I hope you'll feel better.

Teachers: Finding & Using Law Primary Sources in the Classroom

Teachers looking for law primary sources and ideas on how to use the sources should check out the blog post from the Library of Congress, Teaching with the Raw Materials of the Law: Primary Sources and the Legislative Process.

Documents of the Month: Veterans Day 2011

Veterans Day is November 11, 2011 and is the topic for our display this month.

• Veterans, 2000 
• Veteran Resource Center
• Helping our veterans succeed : general SBA information
• Veterans
• Veterans Day 2011: Nov. 11
• VA Million Veteran Program: a partnership with veterans
• Veterans History Project : project instruction kit
• Veterans History Project : preserving stories of service for future generations
• The Library of Congress Veterans History Project : field kit : conducting and preserving interviews 
• Veterans affairs issues
•  Quality initiatives undertaken by the Veterans Health Administration
• Potential costs of veterans' health care
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Department of Veterans Affairs : accompanying report of the National Performance Review 
• Serve, support, simplify : report of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors : subcommittee reports & survey findings
• Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses : special report
• Veterans in prison or jail 
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Small business assistance for veterans

History: The Articles of Confederation

What is the Articles of Confederation? Answer: The first constitution of the United States.

LoC Prints & Photos Blog: Picture This

Can't get enough of the Library of Congress? Add their prints & photo blog, Picture This, to your reading list. The latest post is a behind the scenes look at how they manage the collection.

September 11: Remembering, Honoring

I've pulled together a collection of government sites that are remembering or honoring September 11th.

•  Remembering Sept. 11, 2011 10th Anniversary Honoring the Victims Department of Defense
• Ten Years Later: The Justice Department After 9/11
• Beyond "Where were you?"—let's talk about September 11 National Museum of American History
• 9/11 Tenth Anniversary includes commemorations USA.gov

Let's continue to remember and honor the event by teaching the details or virtually exploring the memorial.

• Teaching About September 11 Using Primary Sources from Library of Congress
• 9/11 Memorial app USA.gov

Resource for Teachers

Teachers, did you know the Library of Congress has a blog just for you? It's Teaching with the Library of Congress. Bookmark it for later & go enjoy your summer break.

Smart Ways to Follow Congress

Have you thought about following congress via your smart phone? The Law Library of Congress blog has posted a list of congressional apps just for you.

Documents of the Month: Family Tied

I thought we would highlight a few of our genealogical documents in honor of the genealogists that will be visiting us in June:

• Finding information on personal participation in World War II
• Using records in the National Archives for genealogical research
• National Archives at Philadelphia
• National Archives Pacific Sierra Region
• National Archives New England Region
• National Archives at Chicago
• National Archives at Kansas City
• Fast facts about the 1920 Census
• Research in the land entry files of the general land office
• Guidelines for using historical records in the National Archives
• Family history sources
• Family ties in England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland
• Genealogical Research at the Library of Congress
• Using maps in genealogy
• Do you know which 1990 products contain data on ancestry?
• Black family research
• Getting started: beginning your genealogical research in the National Archives in Washington
• Age search information
• My history is America's History

Couldn't Resist: Tattoos, Copyright & the Hangover

A tattoo artist is claiming copyright over a tattoo that is prominently shown in the Hangover Part II. The tattoo in question was originally used in the first movie and has Maori influences. The question is, can a tattoo be copyrighted?

THOMAS off of THOMAS

If you haven't discovered the fairly new Law Library of Congress blog, In Custodia Legis, and you enjoy the finer aspects of law & legislation, then you'll enjoy their blog. I thought this entry, Thomas off of Thomas, is a great list of other sources that help us to understand legislation.  

Why the Library of Congress Is Blocking Wikileaks

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Today, September 17, is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. How are you celebrating?

• Constitution Day trivia quiz (US Mint) 
• Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Library of Congress)
• Teaching with Documents: Observing Constitution Day (National Archives)
• Presidential Proclamation - Constitution Day, Citizenship Day, Constitution Week (White House)
• Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Department of Education)

Thomas Enhancements

Thomas has just undergone it's third enhancement for 2010. Mobile users will be pleased to see the new mobile-friendly homepage. As well, a new link to the 50 state legislature websites has been added. See what else is possible at What's New in THOMAS for August 2010.

Sunscreen

It's officially hot & humid in the south and of course, the sun is shinning. While we can't always hide in the shade we can protect ourselves from the sun. I've gathered some usefull sites regarding sunscreen and SPF.

• How does sunscreen work? (Everyday Mysteries from the Library of Congress)
• May is skin cancer awareness month: protect your skin (yes, I know it's June but this is a great site from the CDC)
• Sun Exposure (a Health Topic from Medline Plus)

Veterans History Project

The American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress is collecting first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans. Do you know a veteran that served during a war? Encourage him or her to share valuable memories. Will you be taking a military history class this fall? Consider using this resource as a part of your research.

Veterans History Project