Story Maps

The Law Library’s Story Map collection is an immersive introduction to our legal collections. These Story Maps are web applications that tell the many stories of our collections through narrative text, multimedia, and interactive maps.

Asian Americans in the US Military: Belonging On and Off the Battlefield

This Story Map examines the legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S. military through the Civil War, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the "Secret War." Also detailed are the social and political struggles of Asian American veterans to gain recognition, benefits, and equal treatment. This downloadable CSV file provides the mapped data in this Story Map. CSV file external link provides the mapped data in this Story Map.

The City of Washington: From the Serial Set

This Story Map covers short introduction of U.S. Congressional Serial Set and original resources of Washington D.C. plans and unique pictures of Washington D.C. history including maps, bills, illustrations, etc. Washington, D.C. was founded on July 16, 1790. Washington, D.C. is a unique and historical place among American cities because it was completely planned for the national capital and needed to be distinct from the states. President George Washington chose the specific site along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. CSV file external link provides the mapped data in this Story Map.

City Sketches and the Census

The Law Library’s first Story Map takes us across the United States in 1880 through the Census. This map details the documented population statistics of seven major U.S. cities (Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; New Orleans, LA; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; St. Louis, MO; Washington, D.C.) as they were recorded for the 1880 United States Census. The 1880 Census marked a shift in the style and quality of data collection, and is reflected in these "Social Statistics of Cities" reports. The categorizations and numbers were listed at the beginning of each city profile, followed by a historical sketch, and a glimpse into the practices of governing and ways of life of the city in 1880. This downloadable CSV file external link provides the mapped data in this Story Map.

Documenting World War I

Explore the timeline of World War I through foreign declarations of war from the Law Library of Congress. An interactive map shows how widespread national involvement in World War I was. Each point on the map represents a country involved in WWI. When clicked, these points open pop up windows that give further information regarding each country's declaration of war, link to a war poster, and more.

Historical Monuments of the First Peoples

This Story Map traces this history of the First Peoples of the United States. Presidential proclamations and executive orders established historical landmarks that preserve their histories. Through the Law Library’s digital collections and the Library’s digital image collections, the history of many of the First Peoples comes alive through narration, interactive maps, and photographs.

History of the Antarctic Treaty System,

Explore the legal history of the 7th Continent from discovery to decision-making. Accompanied by beautiful early photographs of Antarctica, learn about the incentives that drew explorers worldwide and how it was regulated internationally.

History of the United States Farm Bill

The history of the United States Farm Bill is visible through many of the Library’s collections. This Story Map tracks the legislative history of the Farm Bill from inception to present day with visual aids from the Prints & Photographs Collection.

Illustrating History: Art and Law in the Women's Suffrage Movement

Follow the history of women's suffrage legislation through Law Library of Congress documents and artwork from the suffrage movement. An interactive map tracks the history of state suffrage legislation and the important women who made it happen.

Law and Ingenuity: Historical Highlights of American Patent Law

Explore the history of American patents through a close look at legal documents from the Law Library of Congress. Lovely illustrations of patent labels accompany the narrative. Following the narrative, an interactive map gives readers a closer look at some famous American inventors and their origins.

Owning Big Cats

Calling all cat lovers - this Story Map tells the stories of cat owners worldwide, and the legislation surrounding ownership, inspired by the Law Library of Congress's Regulations Concerning the Private Possession of Big Cats.

The Life and Legacy of Patsy Takemoto Mink

Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first AAPI (Asian American or Pacific Islander) woman voted into Congress, influenced civil rights and gender equality laws over the course of her various political roles and twelve-term Congressional career. This is her story.

View all Story Maps by the Library of Congress