The project,
a cooperative effort between the National Library of Spain and the Library
of Congress, covers the 15th to the early 19th centuries and is part of
the Global Gateway initiative to build digital library partnerships with
national libraries around the world.
"Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States and the American Frontier"explores
the history of the Spanish presence in the territories now part of the
United States, from the first voyage of Columbus in 1492 to the exploration
and settlement of California and the American Southwest in the early 19th
century. It is intended for use by schools, libraries and the general
public worldwide. Its objective is to present important primary source
materials online -- maps, manuscripts, rare books, prints, photographs
and other materials -- relating to the history of Spain and Spain's role
in the exploration, settlement and development of North America.
The project grew out of a landmark agreement that was concluded in Seville
in October 1999 by the Institución Colombina and the Library of
Congress. The agreement established a digital collaboration aimed at making
available to students, researchers, and lifelong learners unique documents
from the cultural heritage of Spain and the United States. This initial
step was followed by the conclusion of a collaborative agreement between
the Library of Congress and the National Library of Spain. The agreement
was signed on Feb. 24, 2000, on the occasion of the visit to Washington
of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain at a ceremony in
the Great Hall of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
