Happy Independence Day! Today is the United States’ 236th birthday!: July 4th is Independence Day, an American holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776. Did you know that the estimated population of the United States was 2.5 million people in July of 1776? This July 4th, the … Read more
You don’t have to be outdoors to have a fun summer. In fact, some of the most gratifying and enriching activities might happen within the four walls of one of our country’s 123,000 public libraries. If you haven’t been to the library lately, you should check it out.
Listen to the Stars and Stripes Forever March: Listen to Sousa’s Band playing Stars and Stripes Forever from the Library of Congress’ National Jukebox.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides advice on fireworks safety and statistics about fireworks injuries. If you plan to use fireworks this Fourth of July, read this first. From the CPSC: Fireworks Injuries Fireworks. They are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain, and … Read more
Image description: Fireworks explode near the U.S. Capitol on July 4. Photo from the Architect of the Capitol
What percent of an IRA does a person have to take each month after they are 70 years old? Asked by Charlie on Facebook. If you have a traditional IRA, you must receive a minimum distribution starting when you are 70 1/2 years old. In order to figure out what that amount is, you must first find … Read more
The Library of Congress recently launched a new exhibition about Books That Shaped America. It features influential books that were written by Americans, such as: Catch-22 The Catcher in the Rye The Great Gatsby To Kill a Mockingbird Little Women Uncle Tom’s Cabin Currently, there are 88 books on the list and the Library of … Read more
Researchers have taken a step toward personalized medicine for Parkinson’s disease, by investigating signs of the disease in patient-derived cells and testing how the cells respond to drug treatments. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Measuring creatinine and cystatin C — two markers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) — more precisely estimates kidney function than either marker alone, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Results appear in the July 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
By Lorelei Jones, North Carolina State University, part of the USDA Extension Program. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded nutrition education program conducted through the Cooperative Extension Service in every state and US territory. The program serves limited resource families and school-age youth, including those who qualify for other food … Read more
Children’s healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences when they are young. There are several child care options available to families: Childcare.gov can help you locate safe and affordable child care options near you. Head Start is a federal program that helps children ages birth to five years old from low income families prepare … Read more
Struggling to Get the Child Support Payments You’re Owed?: This publication is a how-to guide that can help.
Image description: This photocrom shows Telemark, Norway sometime between 1890 and 1910. It was published by the Detroit Publishing Company. Photocroms are richly colored images look like photographs but are actually ink-based photolithographs, usually measuring 6.5 x 9 inches. View more travel photocroms. Image from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Image description: A U.S. Airman with the 306th Rescue Squadron conducts a training jump from an HC-130P Combat King aircraft. Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Reed, U.S. Air Force
The Library of Congress recently launched a new exhibition about Books That Shaped America, featuring influential books that were written by Americans. Currently, there are 88 books on the list. You are invited to select the ones that you think shaped America and touched your life the most, or nominate books that you think are … Read more
National Institutes of Health researchers have reversed behaviors in mice resembling two of the three core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). An experimental compound, called GRN-529, increased social interactions and lessened repetitive self-grooming behavior in a strain of mice that normally display such autism-like behaviors, the researchers say.
During Money Smart Week, free classes and activities are available in more than 30 states to help consumers manage their personal finances.