Tagged History
Black Histories of Philadelphia: Preserving Historical Sites
The exhibition Black Histories of Philadelphia observes the stories of people and places that make up Philadelphia’s countless histories. Some stories are kept, some fade over time, and others are…
Nothing Less Than What We’ve Earned: Black Voices in the Labor Movement
For centuries Black free labor was simply a guarantee. However, there was always an awareness that we were entitled to equity in the profits from the country we worked hard to create. 1850 ushered in the first attempt at a Black labor…
Abortion and Women's Rights 1970: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
On Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m. the Social Science and History Department will screen Abortion and Women's Rights 1970 , the first documentary made in the U.S. about the struggle for reproductive rights. Following the…
Learn About the Mankiewicz Brothers’ Impact on Hollywood With “Scripting the Movies”
Few individuals better encapsulated the highs and lows of the Golden Age of Hollywood than the Mankiewicz brothers. Filmmakers Herman (1897–1953) and Joe (1909–1993) are the subjects of the Free Library’s upcoming…
Native American Heritage: Language Resources
November is National American Indian Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month . While different single-day observations began across the country early in the 20th century, it was in 1990 when President George H.W.…
The Dehumanization of Jews in Russian and Soviet Cartoons
On December 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Parkway Central Library , the Social Science and History Department will host Bob Weinberg, Professor of History and International Relations at Swarthmore College. Weinberg is the author of the new book…
Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to Art
The Map Collection , Print and Picture Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection have joined together to create a new exhibition in the West Gallery on the Second Floor of Parkway Central Library . The…
A Smithsonian Curator on the Lead-Up to the U.S. Civil War
On Thursday, October 10 , in the Fourth Floor Skyline Room at Parkway Central Library , the Social Science and History Department will host Jon Grinspan , curator of political history at the Smithsonian Institution’s National…
Author of Unique Local History to Speak at the Free Library
On Friday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. , the Social Science and History Department will host Antje Ulrike Mattheus , the author of a unique book on Philadelphia history. Cresheim Farm: An American History of Conquest,…
Hispanic Heritage Month in the Social Science and History Department
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Social Science and History Department at Parkway Central Library is excited to host three programs covering different aspects of the Hispanic-American experience. The first program…
Department Highlights: Social Science and History
Since Parkway Central Library opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections…
Highlights of the Illustrated London News
While working in the newspaper business in the 1830s, Herbert Ingram noticed that newspaper circulation increased when a newspaper included an illustration. Ingram found the first newspaper that subordinated the text to pictures,…
COINTELPRO: A Black August Discussion
On August 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. , the Free Library's Social Science and History Department will host a discussion by Dr. Kelly Harris of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Africana…
Revolution at the Library Programming Returns
This summer, the Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to announce the return of the Revolution at the Library program, in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution . This partnership includes engaging and…
Collection Spotlight: Exploring Queer Histories
In celebration of Pride Month , the Free Library’s Social Science and History Department is displaying books from the collection that give an overview of the study of queer history. LGBTQ+ people have always existed and will…
Author Event: The Warehouse: A Visual Primer on Mass Incarceration
Philadelphia has the highest incarceration rate of any city in Pennsylvania, and the most locked-up census tracts in North Philadelphia have 17 times as many people behind bars as census tracts in Center City, according to the Prison…
19th Century True Crime at the Free Library
From classics like In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter to recent bestsellers like In Light of All Darkness and If You Tell , readers love true crime. In addition to generating chills and thrills, a good true crime account sheds light on…
Collection Spotlight: Highlights from the Negro Leagues
Baseball: for over a century, the game has been known as "America’s favorite pastime." During the early parts of the 20th century, tuning in to a baseball game on the radio after a long day at work became a…
Teen Reads for Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month! Did you know that Women’s History Month has its roots in the struggle for workers’ rights? In 1908, women garment workers protested the poor working conditions inside factories. This…
It's Women's History Month in March!
Happy Women’s History Month , Philadelphia! What began as a local educational initiative in Sonoma, California 46 years ago, has evolved into a month-long celebration "commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Thinking Like a Historian!
The Museum of the American Revolution presents Thinking Like a Historian! Historians use objects, documents, and contextual knowledge to build an understanding of the past. Together with museum staff, students will be invited to do the…
Life at Sea!
The Museum of the American Revolution presentsLife at Sea! Climb aboard as we learn about life on a privateer ship, including what a sailor might have eaten, what his job might have been, and how he would have passed the time.…
Patent Drawings from Black Women Inventors
This display features enlarged patent drawings from the inventions of Black women. Spanning from 1884 to 1996, they highlight the ways in which these women’s ingenuity has contributed to the technology of our world. For a…
Exhibition: The Voices of Sisterly Affection
Philadelphia's motto was officially expanded to "The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection" by the efforts of the godmother of Black Music Month, Dyana Williams. To continue amplifying the female voice in…
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Author Talk: Hope and Struggle in the Policed City
Join us for an author talk with Menika Dirkson, author of Hope and Struggle in the Policed City . Menika Dirkson is a Philadelphia native and an Assistant Professor of African American History at Morgan State University. She received…
Malcolm X at 100
Explore Malcolm X's profound influence and lasting legacy in celebration of his 100th birthday (May 19th). Join us for a discussion with Errol Henderson, author of The Revolution will not be Theorized: Cultural Revolution in…
Let's Go To Indonesia with the Geography Lady!
Let’s Go to Indonesia! Tuesday, May 13th at 4:30pm Take a trip to Indonesia with the Geography Lady! There will be stories, maps, photos, sensory items, games, music, movement activities, and a craft project! This…
Book Talk: Building Ghosts - Past Lives and Lost Places in a Changing City
“Building ghosts” are the idiosyncratic remnants or imprints of demolished buildings, left behind on the sides of neighboring structures. Mostly seen in older Northeastern cities with rowhomes or party-wall adjacencies, they…
Ants on a Log Concert
Join the library for a fun concert outback in the playground on May 12, 2025 at 4:00pm Ants on a Log plays music for children and other childlike people. Their award-winning music centers positivity, social justice,…
Special Collections Showcase: Map Collection
Explore and learn about objects from the Map Collection in a curated talk offerered by Special Collections staff. This drop in event will be held in the Map Collection at the Parkway Central Library from 11:00am to 11:30am. This…
Special Collections Showcase: Map Collection
Explore and learn about objects from the Map Collection in a curated talk offerered by Special Collections staff. This drop in event will be held in the Map Collection at the Parkway Central Library from 11:00am to 11:30am. This…
Proud to be a Philadelphian
A Philadelphian claps back at the outsiders who LOVE to HATE his city. A comedic and historical view of Philly Firsts and why we are so proud! An 80 minute program for Adults.
Treasures from the Literature Vault
Do you love old books? Then join us for Treasures from the Vault– a casual, hands-on book club program spotlighting items from the Literature vault! The vault, home to our closed reference collections, is a treasure trove of…
Alice Dunbar-Nelson
Free Library resources in support of the Rosenbach's Digital Exhibition: "I Am an American!" The Authorship and Activism of Alice Dunbar-Nelson
Freedom Train - Adults
Supplemental adult reading suggestions for the Rosenbach's Freedom Train exhibition, running July 1st, 2016 through November 1st, 2016.
Freedom Train - Teens
Supplemental teen reading suggestions for the Rosenbach's Freedom Train exhibition, running July 1st, 2016 through November 1st, 2016.
Freedom Train - Children
Supplemental children's reading suggestions for the Rosenbach's Freedom Train exhibition, running July 1st, 2016 through November 1st, 2016.
Presidents of the United States
Under the United States Constitution, the President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States. As chief of the executive branch and face of the federal government as a whole, the presidency is…
Asians American History, Cultural Traditions, and Celebrations
History of different Asian ethnic groups in America and background on Asian cultural traditions and holidays.
U.S. Elections and Politics
This list offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate world of American elections and politics. Covering a wide range of topics, from historical perspectives to contemporary issues, these titles provide valuable insights into the…
U.S. Congressional Serial Set (1817-1980)
The bound, sequentially numbered volumes of all the Reports, Documents, and Journals of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives constitutes a rich source of primary source material on all aspects of American history. Upon…
Slavery in America and the World: History, Culture, and Law
This HeinOnline collection brings together a multitude of essential legal materials on slavery in the U.S. and the English-speaking world. It includes nearly 2,000 titles, with every statute passed by every colony and state on slavery,…
Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2001)
Full access to the oldest continuously published daily Black newspaper in the United States.
Philadelphia Evening Telegraph
Philadelphia Evening Telegraph was a daily afternoon newspaper started on January 4, 1864. Search, browse, and read it online here.
Historical Newspapers - Black Newspapers
Primary source material from ten historic Black newspapers, including the Chicago Defender, The Baltimore Afro-American, New York Amsterdam News, Pittsburgh Courier, Los Angeles Sentinel, Atlanta Daily World, and the Cleveland Call and Post
Gun Regulation and Legislation in America
This new HeinOnline collection brings together more than 550 titles dealing with this difficult and important topic. Included are periodicals, key compiled federal legislative histories, relevant congressional hearings, CRS Reports,…
Gale OneFile | High School Edition (formerly InfoTrac Student Edition) *
High school students will have access to age-appropriate content from magazines, journals, newspapers, reference books, and engaging multi-media covering a wide range of subjects, from science, history, and literature to political…
Gale In Context: U.S. History
Covers themes, events, individuals and periods in U.S. history from pre-colonial times to the present. The material also includes access to the citations for over 180 additional history journals from the Institute for Scientific…
Gale in Context | Middle School (formerly Research in Context) *
Discover reliable and trusted information on a variety of topics to support middle school student research for government, U.S and world history, geography, literature, sciences, and social issues. Research In Context offers…
Early American Imprints, Series II: Shaw-Shoemaker (1801-1819)
Covering every aspect of American life during the early decades of the United States, this rich primary source collection provides full-text access to the 36,000 American books, pamphlets and broadsides published in the first nineteen…
Early American Imprints, Series I: Evans (1639-1800)
Based on the renowned American Bibliography by Charles Evans. The definitive resource for every aspect of life in 17th- and 18th-century America, from agriculture and auctions through foreign affairs, diplomacy, literature, music,…
Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld | The Hollow Parties: The Many Pasts and Disordered Present of American Party Politics
In conversation with author and Pennsylvania State Senator, Nikil Saval In The Hollow Parties , Daniel Schlozman and Sam Rosenfeld present a comprehensive history of the rise of American mass party politics through the Jacksonian era up…
George Stephanopoulos | The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis
Meelya Gordon Memorial Lecture In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition. ABC News’ Chief Anchor, the host of This Week with George Stephanopoulos , and co-anchor of Good Morning America , George…
Paul Hendrickson | Fighting the Night: Iwo Jima, WW II and a Flyer’s Life
In conversation with Wil Haygood Paul Hendrickson ’s books include Sons of Mississippi , winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award; Hemingway’s Boat: Everything He Loved in Life, and Lost, 1934–1961 , a National Book Critics…
Frank Bruni | The Age of Grievance
In conversation with Karen Heller, former national features writer and current contributor for The Washington Post, formerly a metro and features columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and a finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in…
Erik Larson | The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War
In conversation with award winning broadcaster and journalist, Tracey Matisak. “America’s most compelling popular historian” (The Christian Science Monitor) , Erik Larson is the bestselling author of eight critically acclaimed books,…
Karen Valby | The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History
Featuring: Lydia Abarça, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, Karlya Shelton, and Khadija Tariyan (daughter of Gayle McKinney Griffith) In conversation with Shelly Power, The Dr. Carolyn Newsom Executive Director, Philadelphia Ballet Karen Valby…
Bakari Sellers | The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now
In 2006, Bakari Sellers defeated a twenty-six-year incumbent State Representative to become the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. The state’s 2014…
David E. Sanger | New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West
In conversation with Robert E. Hamilton, Head of Eurasia Research - Eurasia Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Endowed Lecture The White House and national security correspondent for The New York…
Dennis Yi Tenen | Literary Theory for Robots: How Computers Learned to Write
Dennis Yi Tenen is an associate professor of English at Columbia University, where he also serves as co-director of the Center for Comparative Media. Affiliated with Columbia’s Data Science Institute, he is a former fellow at the…
Tricia Rose | Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives—and How We Break Free
In conversation with award-winning journalist and broadcaster Tracey Matisak Acclaimed for her study of the intersections of pop music, contemporary Black U.S. culture, and sex and gender, sociologist Tricia Rose is the author of…
Fareed Zakaria | Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present
Pine Tree Foundation Endowed Lecture Fareed Zakaria is the host of CNN’s flagship domestic and international affairs program Fareed Zakaria GPS , which has aired around the world since its debut in 2008. Also a weekly columnist for…
Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix | Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea
In conversation with author and Pennsylvania State Senator, Nikil Saval In Solidarity , Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix offer a comprehensive look at not just the popular and ethereal idea of solidarity, but how it can be used by…
Hamilton Nolan | The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor
In conversation with Kim Kelly A labor journalist who regularly contributes to In These Times magazine and The Guardian, Hamilton Nolan has written about inequality, politics, and class war for The New York Times, The Washington…
Marie Arana | Latinoland: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority
In conversation with Elisabeth Perez-Luna, contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer and former Executive Producer of Audio Content at WHYY The inaugural Literary Director of the Library of Congress, Marie Arana is the author of the…
Barbara McQuade | Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America
In conversation with Ali Velshi Barbara McQuade is a legal expert for MSNBC and NBC News , and a co-host of the podcast #SistersInLaw . She teaches courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, national security, and data privacy at…
Calvin Trillin | The Lede: Dispatches from a Life in the Press
In conversation with Bill Marimow “Perhaps the finest reporter in America” ( The Miami Herald ), Calvin Trillin has written more than 400 nonfiction and comic articles for The New Yorker since 1963. His book include U.S. Journal …
Grace Lin | Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite American Chinese Foods
In conversation with Ellen Yin A New York Times bestselling children’s author and illustrator, Grace Lin earned the Newbery Honor for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon , the Theodor Geisel Honor for Ling and Ting , and the…
Benjamin Herold | Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs
In conversation with Kristen Graham, education reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer Public education reporter Benjamin Herold ’s stories, features, and investigative exposés have appeared in Education Week, PBS NewsHour, The…
Jonathan Karl | Tired of Winning: Donald Trump and the End of the Grand Old Party
In conversation with Tamala Edwards, anchor, 6abc Action News morning edition Jonathan Karl is the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers Front Row at the Trump Show and Betrayal , behind-the-scenes accounts of Donald Trump…
Kimberlé Crenshaw | #SayHerName: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence
In conversation with Dorothy Roberts One of the country’s foremost authorities in civil rights, Black feminist legal theory, race, and the law, Kimberlé Crenshaw is a law professor at UCLA and Columbia Law School, where in 1996 she…
What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?
Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes but the First Thanksgiving likely included wildfowl, corn, porridge and venison.
The Story of America’s Freedom Trains
In-depth history and information about America’s Freedom Trains.
National Parks Center – Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and…
National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and…
American Anti-Slavery and Civil Rights Timeline
This timeline was prepared for NHD Philly!, the regional National History Day program for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a collaboration of more than thirty history and community-based organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region.…
10 Thanksgiving Myths Dispelled
Read about these 10 Thanksgiving Myths and separate the fact from the fiction.