Library of Congress
Today in History - August 5

Today in History - August 5

On August 5, 1775, the Spanish ship, San Carlos, commanded by Juan Manuel de Ayala, entered what would soon be called San Francisco Bay.  Continue reading.

On August 5, 1858, Julia Archibald Holmes became the first woman on record to reach the summit of Pikes Peak. Continue reading.

Click here to search Today in History for other historic moments.

 

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An Interview with Katharina Wagner, Foreign Law Intern

08/05/2026 09:00 AM EDT

This blog post is an interview with Foreign Law Intern at the Law Library of Congress, Katharina Wagner.

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Shooting Marbles

08/05/2026 09:10 AM EDT

The humble marble has been providing entertainment to children – and adults – for centuries. Visit this post to see marble games in action in the early twentieth century.

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Announcing the Recipients of the American Folklife Center’s 2026 Fellowships and Awards

08/05/2026 10:00 AM EDT

In this post, the American Folklife Center announces the 2026 recipients of three competitive fellowship/award programs: the Gerald E. and Corinne L. Parsons Fund Award, and the Blanton Owen Award Fund, and the Artists in Resonance Fellowship. The post also features information on the recipients and their innovative projects.

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Law Library: News & Events: Join us on Thursday, August 20, for an Introduction to Congress.gov Webinar at 2:00 PM EDT

Join instructors Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer for an Introduction to Congress.gov webinar on Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. This orientation provides a basic overview of Congress.gov. While the focus of the session will be searching legislation and the Congressional member information associated with it, the new features of Congress.gov will also be highlighted.

Please register here.

August Family Day at the 2026 National Book Festival

08/05/2026 10:00 AM EDT

  On August 22, 2026, the monthly Family Day program will move from its usual location in the Library’s Jefferson Building and be part of the annual and hugely popular National Book Festival (NBF) at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Family programming will be one of many elements that day celebrating books, authors, storytelling …

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2026 Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Onsite Workshops

08/05/2026 11:00 AM EDT

Educators who attended the recent Summer Teacher Institutes practiced and applied strategies for teaching with primary sources, learned about the collections and resources available from LOC.gov, and developed an activity plan to take back to their schools.

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Italy: Implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and Other EU Directives on Immigration

08/05/2026 12:06 PM EDT

On June 12, 2026, Decree-Law No. 100/2026, which implements the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum of May 14, 2024 (EU Pact), entered into effect in Italy.The EU Pact seeks to simplify procedures, balance responsibility for asylum applications fairly among EU member states, and secure borders. It consists of 10 acts, most of which are regulations binding on EU member states. The Pact was set to fully apply from June 12, 2026, to give time for the member states to adapt their national procedures.To fully implement the EU Pact into Italy, D.L. No. 100 amends a number of existing laws implementing prior EU directives, including those on receiving applicants for international protection, on granting and withdrawing international protection status, and the screening of third-country nationals at external borders....

 

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Congress.gov: Senate Floor Today Update

Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (08/05/2026)
Free Family-Friendly Activities Abound at 2026 National Book Festival

Free Family-Friendly Activities Abound at 2026 National Book Festival

Book lovers of all ages will find a kaleidoscope of free family-friendly activities at the 2026 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Washington Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Festival attendees can join the Library’s celebration of America 250: It’s Your Story through author and speaker programs on various stages and free activities for families. The festival provides an opportunity to experience a variety of the programming the Library offers year-round for families and young people

Click here for more information.

 

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Patron Services: In- Person Orientation: How to Use the Library of Congress for New Researchers

How to Use the Library of Congress for New Researchers: In-Person Orientation

Join us for an in-person introduction for new users (or those looking for a research refresher) to the Library of Congress and its collections.

This session outlines information on the Library's Resources, collections and services; how to locate, request and use books, digital collections, journal articles, and other information sources; the basics of doing library research: successful search strategies, and how to select and use appropriate sources and tools. Reference librarians will also share guidance on how to get a library card, establish your Library account, and how to access materials from Reading Rooms and Research Centers when visiting us in person as well as when researching from home. 

Attendees are welcome to bring their own device/laptop/tablet to the session. 

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Location: Thomas Jefferson Building, LJ-139B, Library of Congress

Registration required: https://research-appointments.loc.gov/event/17272692

 

Request ADA accommodations five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.

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Congress.gov: Senate Floor Today Update

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)". (08/05/2026)