For this week, we offer a selection of Thanksgiving postcards from the Graphics Division. All three of these postcards depict the iconic Thanksgiving turkey. Two contrast the turkey with our other national bird, the bald eagle. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin...
“This is holy eve,” Richard Coulter wrote in his journal on October 31st, 1847. He was serving in the American Army that Halloween due to the Mexican War, and he noted the differences between how the day was observed in Mexico and back home in Greensburg,...
Guest post by Sarah Fitzgerald, Book Division volunteer *** Many of our Christmas traditions come from the Victorian Era, including the decoration of Christmas trees and Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol. The Clements has several versions of A Christmas...
Guest post by Sarah Fitzgerald, Book Division volunteerThanksgiving celebrations have often been marked by hymns of thanks in appreciation of the joys of life and plentiful food. Songs of thanksgiving pre-date the first national recognition by...
Guest post by Esti Brennan, Social Media Intern[First page of the manuscript draft. George Sackville Germain Papers, Clements Library.]In celebration of Independence Day, the Clements Library presents this manuscript copy of the Declaration of Independence, from the...
Guest post by Esti Brennan, Social Media Intern[Unknown Artist, “Log Cabin With Horses and Tree Stumps.” Clements Library Graphics Division, Prints–Original Drawings, P-1604.9]Currently, Michigan is the only state to have an official holiday...
Guest post by Esti Brennan, Social Media Intern[“Constitution and Java, December 29th, 1812.” Oil on canvas by Nicholas Pocock.]Two hundred years ago today, the United States declared war on the United Kingdom, initiating a conflict sometimes...
This year for Valentine’s Day, we have selected three items from the Manuscripts Division to show the variety of ways people have observed this holiday over the years. From children exchanging cards at school to poems proposing marriage, this holiday celebrates...
Guest post by Molly Malcolm, Clements Library volunteerToday is National Chocolate Cake Day, and although it is not an officially recognized holiday, the Clements Library is celebrating it by offering a short history of the evolution of chocolate cake in the United...
