Primary sources are unedited perspectives from the past that date to the time period that a researcher is interested in. They can be tricky to cite, but the Library of Congress provides a helpful guide with examples for the different types of online primary sources and how to cite them.
These resources on this page cover all areas of history and a wide range of topics. They are great places to go for any research topic.
Check the other pages, like African History, for primary sources focused on those areas of study.
Ebony
A popular magazine dedicated to sharing news and entertainment focused on the experience of Black Americans.
1988-2018: Available in print in the basement.
1959-2008: Available online through this link. [Note: this is a Google Link]
The Economist
An economics magazine that offers editorial articles and commentary.
1961 - 1987: Available in print in the basement.
1988- Present: Available online through this link.
Esquire
A lifestyle magazines that focuses on American men.
1975 - 2007: Available in print in the basement.
1996- Present: Available online through this link.
Fortune
A magazine that focuses on global business.
1930 - 1972: Available in print in the basement--see the OVERSIZED collection that runs along the wall of Room L16.
1972 - 2001: Available in print in the basement.
1992- Present: Available online through this link.
Harper's Magazine
The oldest general-interest magazine in the United States. It offers commentary on the arts, culture, finance, literature, politics, and political cartoons.
1850 - 2019: Available in print in the basement.
Jet Magazine
A popular magazine that documented Black life in America for more than half a century.
1950 - 2005: Available through this link [Note: this is a Google Link]
Life Magazine
Famous for its color photographs, Life was a key information source in the 20th century.
1937 - 1992: Available in print in the basement--see the OVERSIZED collection that runs along the wall next to room L16.
1937 - 1972: Available through this link [note: this is a Google Link]
Ms. Magazine
A feminist magazine that began in 1972.
1972 - 2018: Available in print in the basement.
1984 - 2019: Available through this link
The Nation
The oldest continually published weekly magazine in the United States. It offers a progressive perspective on current events, news, and politics.
1955 - 2001: Available in print in the basement.
1900 - Present: Available through this link
National Geographic
A popular magazine that highlights photographs and stories from around the world.
1913 - 2019: Available in print in the basement.
1999 - Present: Available through this link
National Review
A popular conservative magazine in the United States that has been published since 1955.
1975 - Present: Available through this link
The New Republic
Founded by leaders in the Progressive Movement, this magazine provides editorial perspectives of U.S. politics.
1933 - 1989: Available in print in the basement.
1914 - Present: Available through this link
The New York Times
Considered one of the most popular and authoritative news resources in the world.
1851 - 1980: Searchable online through the New York Times' website. You can use it to find articles by title and date, but you will need to use the microfilm reader to actually read the articles. Available through this link.
1980 - Present: Available through this link
The New Yorker
Famous for its covers, this magazine covers the arts, culture, journalism, politics, and in-depth analysis.
1959 - 2019: Available in print in the basement.
2004 - Present: Available through this link
Newsweek
One of the most popular sources of news in the United States.
1937 - 2011: Available in print in the basement.
1994 - Present: Available through this link
Saturday Evening Post
A popular magazine for the American middle class in the 20th century before declining in the 1960s.
1923 - Present: Available through this link
Time Magazine
Well known for its covers, Time offers an important perspective on current events and politics in the United States.
1936 - 2015: Available in print in the basement.
1923 - Present: Available through this link
U.S. News and World Report
Though it is now best known for college rankings, this is an excellent source for U.S. and global news.
1947 - 2010: Available in print in the basement.
1990 - Present: Available through this link