On April 24, 1800, President John Adams signed a bill that set aside $5,000 to buy "books ... necessary for the use of Congress." In the 200 years since then, the Library of Congress has become the biggest library in the world, housing 119 million items stored on more than 530 miles of shelves in Washington, D.C.
Among the items in the library's gigantic collection: one of Thomas Jefferson's rough drafts of the Declaration of Independence, a tiny book called Old King Cole with pages so small they must be turned with a needle, and "The Bay Psalm Book" from 1640--the first book printed in North America.
To honor its 200th anniversary, the library is launching a new website for kids that's full of fascinating facts. Check it out: www.americaslibrary.gov