Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

1,623 items

Spotlight on: Primary Source

JFK on the containment of Communism, 1952

Economics, World History

In August 1952, as he was campaigning for the US Senate, John F. Kennedy addressed the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Federation of Labor. This manuscript is a draft of the speech Kennedy delivered before the influential labor...

History Now Essay

Theodore Roosevelt: The Making of a Progressive Reformer

Kathleen Dalton

Economics, Government and Civics

9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Theodore Roosevelt’s interesting life often tempts biographers to write about him with the history left out. His story offers plenty of drama. Born in 1858 to a wealthy family in New York City he waged a life and death struggle...

Appears in:

17 | Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Era Fall 2008

Spotlight on: Primary Source

Victory Order of the Day, 1945

World History

In March 1945 American and British forces moved eastward into Germany in large numbers, stopping at the Elbe River in mid-April in accordance with pre-negotiated agreements with the Soviet Union. The Red Army, meanwhile, had moved...

Collection Item

Autograph letter signed

19 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

to Henry Knox

Jackson describe the severe weather and snow that continues to afflict the Boston area. Notes with sadness the news he heard that General Harmar has lost 700 men [fighting Indians] and that "from every quarter an European War appears pretty certain...

GLC02437.04801

Collection Item

Autograph letter signed

14 September 1791

Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815

to Henry Knox

Writes to send an extract of a letter from Kentucky, which is on the other side of this letter (not included - the reverse of this letter is blank). Adds, "I leave this letter to its fate, & from the frequent passing of people from these fountains of...

GLC02437.05156