Primary sources are the raw materials of history, offering firsthand perspectives that bring the past to life. Learning to analyze them—whether documents, images, artifacts, or oral histories—sharpens ...

A new exhibit at the Library of Congress brings children face to face with primary sources, introducing a new generation to the slow-burn thrill of researching history.

What counts as primary: These are firsthand accounts like diaries, letters, official records, and artifacts created during the period being studied. Where to find them: Libraries like the Library of ...