Today in History - August 17

08/17/2026

Today in History - August 17

On August 17, 1790, the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, presented a congratulatory address to President George Washington on the occasion of his visit to their city. Continue reading.

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Congress.gov: Most-Viewed Bills Update

08/17/2026

Most-Viewed Bills - Week of August 16, 2026

H.R.6509 [119th] - SAFE Drugs Act of 2025
S.2296 [119th] - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
H.R.1 [119th] - An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.
H.R.3633 [119th] - Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
H.R.5316 [119th] - Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025
H.R.22 [119th] - SAVE Act
S.3516 [118th] - A bill to impose a fee on certain remittance transfers to fund border security.
H.R.139 [119th] - Sunshine Protection Act of 2025
H.R.8800 [119th] - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
S.596 [117th] - Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021

This Thursday (7:00 PM August 20) at the Mary Pickford Theater (Washington, DC)

08/17/2026

This Thursday (7:00 PM August 20) at the Mary Pickford Theater (Washington, DC)

08/17/2026 10:16 AM EDT

Announcement of screening of THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN (Universal, 1971) in the Pickford Theater of the Library of Congress, 7:00 PM August 20, 2026.

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Greenland: Government Initiates Process for Self-Governance over Criminal Law

08/17/2026

Greenland: Government Initiates Process for Self-Governance over Criminal Law

08/17/2026 11:28 AM EDT

On July 22, 2026, the Greenlandic government announced that it is beginning the process of assuming control of criminal law from the Danish Parliament under its 2009 Self-Governance Act.Rules for Greenlandic Self-Governance Greenland is a semiautonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland’s Self-Governance Act provides that Greenland will be responsible for self-governance in areas in which it has assumed responsibility from Denmark. (1 § Lov om Grønlands Selvstyre (LOV nr 473 af 12/06/2009), (in Danish, unofficial English translation).) For example, in 2022, the Greenlandic and Danish governments agreed that Greenland would take over the right to set time from Denmark, allowing the Parliament of Greenland (Inatsisartut) to adopt rules on time zones in Greenland....

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Jobs and Internship Opportunities - Caribbean Area Librarian (Vacancy#:VAR003411)

08/17/2026

Caribbean Area Librarian (Vacancy#:VAR003411)

Opening Date: August 17, 2026
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
OPM Control Number: 880807200
Vacancy Number: VAR003411
LC Organization Unit: Researcher and Collection Services
Grade: GS-09
Series: 1410
Minimum Salary: $70,623.00 per year
Maximum Salary: $91,815.00 per year
Work Schedule: Fulltime - Permanent
Promotion Potential: GS-12
Duty Location: Washington, DC
Security Clearance: Other
Availability: Open to All
Telework Eligibility: Hybrid

This position serves as a Librarian in the Latin American, Caribbean and European Division, General and International Collections Directorate (GICD), Research And Collections Services (RCS) within the Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG) at the Library of Congress (LOC) and reports to the division supervisor.

The librarian is responsible for building the collections of the de facto national library; facilitating research and reference instruction and support onsite and virtually; and coordinating library engagement and interaction with a large and diverse array of users and communities. The librarian helps balance new collections acquisitions with responsible stewardship of existing collections while building a more diverse and inclusive record for future generations. In the provision of reference and research services, the librarian utilizes traditional in-person methods in reading rooms and emerging technologies including social media and digital scholarship to assist researchers and other audiences in the use of library resources. The librarian serves as the division’s primary liaison with researchers, visitors, and communities of practice, raising awareness of our collections and resources and making them accessible to all.

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Jobs and Internship Opportunities - Senior Digital Collections Specialist (Vacancy#:VAR003431)

08/17/2026

Senior Digital Collections Specialist (Vacancy#:VAR003431)

Opening Date: August 17, 2026
Closing Date: September 8, 2026
OPM Control Number: 880724400
Vacancy Number: VAR003431
LC Organization Unit: Discovery and Preservation Services
Grade: GS-13
Series: 1410
Minimum Salary: $121,785.00 per year
Maximum Salary: $158,322.00 per year
Work Schedule: Full-time - Flexitime
Promotion Potential: GS-13
Duty Location: Washington, DC
Security Clearance: Other
Availability: Open to All
Telework Eligibility: Hybrid

The incumbent serves as a technical expert in the planning, management, and execution of digital collections workflow/lifecycle management projects. Acts as an expert on special projects and advises management on issues. Plans, tests, and executes projects that involve acquiring, describing, storing, and providing access to digital content for which the section has curatorial responsibility.

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U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze to Launch “Words Bridging Worlds” National Tour

08/17/2026

U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze to Launch “Words Bridging Worlds” National Tour

“Words Bridging Worlds,” Arthur Sze’s signature project as the nation’s 25^th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry will launch in September with a national tour encouraging Americans to engage with poetry written in foreign languages.

“Words Bridging Worlds” invites anyone who has been curious about poetry from international cultures to become poetry translators. Graduate students from New York City’s Queens College MFA program in creative writing and literary translation will partner with Sze during poetry translation workshops. Sze will also hold a public reading and conversation about his signature project in each of the four cities on his tour. Sze’s events empower readers to dissolve the boundaries between reading, writing and translating poetry.

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