The papers of U.S. senator from Indiana and U.S. Army officer Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), who became the twenty-third president of the United States, consist of 69,600 items (178,479 images), most of which were digitized from 151 reels of previously produced microfilm. Spanning the years 1780 to 1948, with the bulk dating from 1853 to 1901, the collection contains correspondence, speeches, articles, notebooks in shorthand, legal papers, financial records, scrapbooks, memorials, printed matter, memorabilia, and other papers. The collection covers every aspect of Harrison’s life and career. Subjects include relations with his family, the Civil War, Indiana politics, Harrison’s senatorial career (1881-1887) and presidency (1889-1893), the political campaign of 1888, his Indianapolis law practice, and the Venezuela boundary dispute.

The papers of nineteenth-century African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), who escaped from slavery and then risked his freedom by becoming an outspoken antislavery lecturer, writer, and publisher, consist of approximately 7,400 items (38,000 images), most of which were digitized from 34 reels of previously produced microfilm. The collection spans the years 1841-1964, with the bulk of the material dating from 1862 to 1895.

The papers of New York governor and lawyer Grover Cleveland (1837-1908), who became the twenty-second and twenty-fourth president of the United States, consist of 108,200 items (192,602 images), most of which were digitized from 164 reels of previously produced microfilm. Spanning the years 1743 to 1945, with the bulk dating from 1885 to 1908, the collection contains correspondence, diaries, messages to Congress, speeches, writings, printed matter, and other papers relating chiefly to Cleveland’s presidencies and presidential campaigns. Most of the collection relates to Cleveland’s first presidential administration (1885-1889). Other subjects include Cleveland’s second presidential administration, presidential elections, and Democratic Party politics.

Historic American newspapers selected and contributed by state partners in the National Digital Newspaper Program.

The Printed Ephemera collection comprises 28,000 primary-source items dating from the seventeenth century to the present and encompasses key events and eras in American history. While the broadside format represents the bulk of the collection, there are a significant number of leaflets and some pamphlets.

This is a growing collection of selected books and other materials from the Library of Congress General Collections that can be made openly available. Most of the materials in this collection were published in the United States and are in English. The materials in this collection can be read online or downloaded. Search the collection to find books and campaign literature from the 1888 presidential election.

The Songs of America presentation allows you to explore American history as documented in the work of some of our country's greatest composers, poets, scholars, and performers. From popular and traditional songs, to poetic art songs and sacred music, the relationship of song to historical events from the nation's founding to the present is highlighted through more than 80,000 online items.