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Archive: February 2019 (10 Posts)

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Sergeants Robert A. Pinn and William H. Thomas: African American Entrants in William O. Bourne’s Left-Handed Penmanship Contests, 1865-1867

Posted by: Cheryl Lederle

In 1866, William O. Bourne organized a unique left-handed penmanship contest for Union veterans who had lost the use of their right hand. Veterans were encouraged to submit a letter they had written using their left hand and a total prize money of $1000.00 was offered. The Library of Congress holds the many of the entrants’ letters and other information on Bourne and the contest.

One woman watches as another examines with a magnifying glass an ornate, decorative image on a printed page

Five Questions with Gretel von Bargen, 2018 Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute Participant

Posted by: Danna Bell

I wanted to spend a week at the Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute learning why and how to incorporate primary sources into my biology classroom instruction. I attended the Institute last summer and my high expectations were surpassed! Spending a week learning about the use of primary sources with teachers of all grades from around our nation was invigorating, academically stimulating, and quite fun!