Category: Today in History

  • Hispanic Americans in Congress

    In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) a display in the Government Documents Collection highlights a book from the House of Representatives.  Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822-2012 profiles Hispanic members of Congress, incorporating their government service with the history of United States expansion. Since 1899 at least one Hispanic American has…

  • Little Old Women

    The first volume of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved children’s book Little Women was published 146 years ago today on September 30, 1868.  Autobiographical in nature, Alcott’s “Little Women” books were modeled after her parents and sisters as well as friends and neighbors in her native New England, and she is credited with being a pioneer…

  • Stepping Stones

    Stepping Stones : The Path to Furman’s Integration Exhibition Dates: September 18, 2014 – May 8, 2015 In its one hundred and eighty-eight year history, Furman University has evolved from an institution established to educate male preachers, into a co-educational liberal arts college with a student body that today represents 44 states, 47 countries and…

  • Most Dangerous Man?

    Banned Books Week is the national book community’s annual celebration of the freedom to read. Hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the country draw attention to the problem of censorship by mounting displays of challenged books and hosting a variety of events. The 2014 celebration will be held September 21-27. Banned Books Week was launched…

  • P.S. remove the records

    When British troops began to advance toward the United States’ new capital of Washington in the summer of 1814, it was clear that government leaders had not prepared an adequate defense for the city and its government buildings. Upon seeing the British advancing toward Washington, Secretary of State James Monroe, dispatched a note to President…

  • World War I Centenary

    On July 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo, Bosnia, by a Serbian nationalist, touching off the conflict that became World War I.  Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia July 28, the formal beginning of the war.  Austria-Hungary was joined by Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria, to form…

  • “Reading is not optional.”

    Walter Dean Myers, an award-winning author known for writing books about young African Americans, passed away on July 1 at the age of 76.  Myers, who was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature 2012-2013, often spoke at schools and libraries promoting literacy with his motto “Reading is not optional.”   The library’s collection includes 28 of Mr. Myers’…

  • Independence Day Hours

    Independence Day Hours   July 3 Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm July 4 Friday CLOSED July 5 Saturday CLOSED July 6 Sunday CLOSED   Due to the Independence Day holiday, the James B. Duke Library will close at 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 3rd, and all campus libraries will be closed from Friday, July 4th…

  • Furman’s Dempsey Scores

    Clint Dempsey, the captain of the United States Men’s National Team and a former Furman men’s soccer standout, scored just 29 seconds into the match and the U.S. grabbed all three points on a late John Anthony Brooks tally in a 2-1 triumph over Ghana in opening round play at the FIFA World Cup on…

  • Primary Election On Tues. 6/10

    In South Carolina’s open primary election, voters choose either a Republican or Democratic Ballot. Find your polling place:  greenvillecounty.org/voter_registration Photo ID requirements are now in effect:  http://www.scvotes.org/2012/09/24/photo_id_requirements Election night returns will be updated throughout the evening by the South Carolina Election Commission.  Check this site for up-to-the-minute results:  http://www.greenvillecounty.org/voter_registration/