Posts in “history” (168)

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In the spring of 1776 , the British began a blockade of American ports, throwing coastal shipping into disarray and sending many captains back to the more secure European routes. But a young… continue reading The Richest Man in America

By written by Sally F.    April 27, 2017   

The Free Library is exploring the history and art of the mystery with We the Detectives , a unique, multifaceted, and immersive intellectual and creative experience. Here we track the growth of… continue reading #MysteryMonday: The History of Mystery: A By-No-Means-Exhaustive Timeline

By written by Julie B.    April 17, 2017   

Philadelphia was the place to be in July of 1976. Even Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain came to present the Bicentennial Bell , cast in the same foundry as our Liberty Bell. The 4,000+… continue reading A History Minute: Philadelphia's Medical Mystery

By written by Sally F.    March 16, 2017   

The Rare Book Department 's Judaica includes a beautifully written and lavishly hand-decorated Spanish Hebrew Masoretic Text bible . Commissioned in 1496 in Lisbon, Portugal, the book is… continue reading Librarian Traces Family Roots Through Historic Bible

By written by Caitlin G.    February 24, 2017   

New Orleans is always on my mind at this time of year. Mardi Gras is more than just Fat Tuesday in the Big Easy, and the celebrations extend far beyond Bourbon Street: parades take place all… continue reading Literary Scenes from New Orleans

By written by Sara D.    February 23, 2017   

Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and other tech billionaire/philanthropists may have set new standards in giving, but philanthropy is an old Philadelphia tradition with two of our earliest… continue reading African American Philanthropists in Early Philadelphia

By written by Sally F.    February 22, 2017    8

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    1

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

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   

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