History

Fifty-five years ago, on August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign his office. Learn about what led to this historic event by checking out some of the Library's many resources on the topic.

All the President's men by 1944- Carl Bernstein
The final days by 1943- Bob Woodward

Recounts the events that led Timothy McVeigh to that day and recounts the stories of the survivors, first-responders, US Marshals, FBI investigators, and journalists who covered the events. The film provides an in-depth and provocative exploration of the white supremacist, extremist militia movement that rose to prominence in the early 1990s and still makes news today..

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing by watching some of these fascinating films on the race to be the first to the moon.

Following ratification by the state of Virginia, The Bill of Rights became law on December 15, 1791. Comprised of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, they were written by James Madison in response to requests from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties. The First Amendment reads as follows:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Learn about the long history of dissent in America by checking out some of the following resources available in the Library's collection.

On July 11, 1804 former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and Vice-President Aaron Burr, fought a pistol duel at Weehawken, New Jersey. The culmination of long-standing personal bitterness between the two men, the duel resulted in Hamilton's death, and the end of Burr's political career. This year marks the 215th anniversary of that shocking event.

Check out these new titles recently added to the Library's History shelves.

Canada Day celebrates the 1867 enactment of the Constitution Act which united the three colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada (Ontario and Quebec) into a single country. In honor of our northern neighbor read about some of her most illustrious native sons and daughters, past and present. For information on the history of Canada you can check here. For more noteworthy Canadians check here.

A dual portrait of the irrepressible orphan Anne of Green Gables and her creator covers such topics as the death of Montgomery's mother, her life on Prince Edward Island, and the inspiration for the "e" at the end of Anne's name..

British author Eric Arthur Blair was born June 25, 1903. He published his first book in 1933 using the pen name George Orwell. Find out more about George Orwell and explore his politically-charged writing with these titles.

1984 : a novel by 1903-1950 George Orwell
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