News Display: Library of Congress Is Established, Friday, 4/24

The Everett Cafe features thematic news displays on a wide range of educational topics, in addition to daily postings of headlines from around the world. Stay tuned into current events and consider how the news may impact teaching and learning.

• News Display: Disability Rights, Wednesday, 4/1 - Friday 4/3


Did you know that in 1817 the American School for the Deaf, the first school for disabled children in the Western Hemisphere, was founded in Hartford, Connecticut? That in 1869 the first wheelchair patent was registered with the U.S Patent Office? That in 1909 the New York City Public School System adopted Modified, or American Braille for use in its classes for blind children, after public hearings in which blind advocates called for abandoning New York Point? That the longest sit-in of a federal building occurred in San Francisco in 1977, while disability rights activists staged similar protests in other cities? That Deaf President Now angrily protested the hiring of a hearing president at Gallaudet University in March 1988? That in 1990 George Bush signed into effect the American with Disabilities Act, the most sweeping disability rights legislation to be signed in history, ensuring full legal citizenship to Americans with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination based on disability.

The Gottesman Libraries will display headlines of stories relating to disabilities and the history of disability rights. Join us as we tribute the achievements of all those who helped place disabilities on the public agenda, including educators, health care workers, activists, and government officials. Also be sure to check out the slide show featuring famous people throughout history.


• Civil War Ends, Thursday, 4/9


On April 9, 1865 Generals Robert E. Lee of the Army of Northern Virginia, and Ulysses S. Grant, General-in-Chief of the United States forces, met shortly after noon in the home of Wilmer McLean, in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Lee had surrendered and the American Civil War has just about ended. Other Confederate forces surrendered in the weeks that followed, marking the conclusion of a bloody war that began in 1861 and left more than 600,000 dead.

With slavery at stake, eleven southern states had declared their secession, forming the Confederate States of America. The end of the war entailed the abolishment of slavery, restoration of the Union, and strengthening of the role of the federal government.

Join us as we post headlines of major newspapers that document this importance piece in our nation's history.


• Autism in the News, Friday, 4/17


Autism is a highly variable brain development disorder often resulting in impairments to social interaction and communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. Originally described by Leo Kanner in 1943 as one's inability to relate to others, autism was recognized early on as a severe disability. Autism is usually evident by age three with new research identifying children as early as 6 months. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects between 2 and 21 individuals per 10,000, with 4 to 5 times more males than females. Early intervention is key to assisting children identified on the spectrum to reach their full potential and lead a quality life. Strong parent advocacy groups such as Autism Speaks have led the way for championing research, legislation and support services for this vulnerable group of children and their families.

Following Dr. Paul Offit's recent book talk on Autism's False Prophets and concomitant with the Third Annual Conference Mind and Body in Autism on April 17 and 18, the Gottesman Libraries will trace the history of autism and present stories covering educational trends, issues, and controversies. Success stories of autistic individuals will also be featured to illustrate the variable nature of this disability.


• Library of Congress Is Established, Friday, April 24


The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.

The Library of Congress was established on April 24, 1800 when President John Adams signed an Act of Congress. The legislation provided for the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital city of Washington, D.C. Within, he appropriated $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress ..., and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them...." Thomas Jefferson signed into law the position of Librarian of Congress, first held by John James Beckley, and a Joint Committee on the Library, to administer and manage the collection. Jefferson donated his own personal collection when the Library of Congress was burnt to the ground by British troops in 1814.

Today the Library of Congress is located in three buildings and has a staff of more than 3,600. According to the Guiness Book of World Records the Library of Congress is the world's largest library in terms of shelf space and number of books.

Be sure to check out the online exhibit entitled, "Freedom's Fortress: The Library of Congress, 1939-1953." Under the direction of Archibald MacLeish and Luther Harris Evans, then Librarians of Congress, the institution "underwent a myriad of changes that established the institution as one of America's foremost citadels of intellectual freedom."