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History & People

Read about history, events, and people in the U.S.A.

Resources in this category:

300 Women Who Changed The World
http://www.britannica.com/women/
Learn about important women in history from the 1600s to today!
A Journey to a New Land
http://www.sfu.museum/journey/en/home1.php
How did people first travel to the Americas 12,000 years ago? Did they cross the Bering Land Bridge or come in boats down the Pacific Coast? Ponder this and learn about the ice age and some animals that are now extinct.
Abraham Lincoln Research Site
http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln2.html
Did you know that Lincoln had a dog named Fido and that Lincoln's sons kept goats in the White House? Learn dozens of facts about Lincoln at this site, including information about his childhood, his famous speeches, his favorite poems and more. There are also many links to other sites about Lincoln.
The African American Journey
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/
Lots of interesting information about the history of African Americans.
African American Literature: Voices of Slavery and Freedom
http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?content_spotlight/aalit...
World Book provides information concerning African American literature and authors throughout history. The Harlem Renaissance and writers of the Civil Rights era are included.
Africans in America
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html
Learn all about the history of Africans in America at this educational site. It is a great resource ifyou are doing any type of report on American history from the 1400s to the mid-1800s.
AFRO-Americ@'s Black History Museum
http://www.afro.com/history/history.html
An interactive set of exhibits highlighting African-American contributions throughout United States history.
America's Library
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi
The history of the United States comes to life in this exciting site from the nation's library. Read about famous Americans, listen to and watch old cartoons, music and movies, learn about the different eras, and much more.
America's Story
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/about/welcome.html
Learn all about history through fun facts, video clips, and shocking surprises. "You can discover what Abraham Lincoln had in his pockets on the night he was assassinated. (You will be surprised.) Or you can read about other 'Amazing Americans' such as Buffalo Bill Cody and his 'Wild West' show; the heroism of Harriet Tubman, who helped many slaves escape bondage; the music of jazz great Duke Ellington; or the inventions of Thomas Edison. (You will even be able to see his first motion picture!)"
American Memory
http://memory.loc.gov/
A multimedia site put together by the Library of Congress. Learn about the history of the United States through pictures, documents, movies, maps, and sound recordings. You can listen to music from the 1930s, look at pictures taken during the Civil War, and see and hear lots of other fun things.
Liberty! The American Revolution
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle.html
Test your knowledge of the American Revolution with this game. Learn about daily life in the Colonies, read headlines from six colonial cities, and discover a timeline of important events.
The American West: A Celebration of the Human Spirit
http://www.AmericanWest.com/
"A PRESENTATION of the History and Development of the American West, from the Frontier- and Pioneer days with the Wild West, to today's Modern West." Come here to find out about pioneers, explorers, trails, forts, and ghost towns of the past. Or learn about ranches, national parks, and western films you can see today.
Ben Franklin: Glimpses of the Man
http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/
Did you know that Ben Franklin was a weatherman as well as an accomplished musician? Find out all about this famous American at this site. Teachers can find classroom resources as well.
Betsy Ross Homepage
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/
Read the history of the American flag or the story of Betsy Ross and the first flag. You can also take a virtual tour through Betsy Ross' home.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
http://americanhistory.si.edu/sweatshops/index.htm
This exhibit covers the history of American sweatshops from 1820 to present day.
Biographical Dictionary
http://www.s9.com/biography/
This dictionary has information on over 18,000 people and provides birth and death years, professions, positions held, literary and artistic works and other achievements of people throughout history. You can also take the Master Biographer Challenge to see how much you know about Notable Citizens of the Planet Earth.
Encyclopaedia Britannica's Guide to Black History
http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory
Explore this guide to Black History and find biographies, historical timelines, and information on hundreds of topics including civil rights, African and African American literature, art, music, architecture, and sports. A collection of audios, videos, and images is included.
Black History Month
http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/bhm/index.htm
This site celebrates Black History month by highlighting the lives of more than fifty African Americans. The site also includes a timline, different activities and even a quiz.
Celebrating America's Freedoms
http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/index.htm
Learn about the origins of such American holidays as Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. You can find out about how the words of the Pledge of Allegiance have changed over the years or learn about the national cemeteries. This site looks at some of the U.S.'s most important symbols and observances. Suggestions for teaching activities are also included.
Colonial Williamsburg
http://www.history.org/
"Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest outdoor living history museum, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, about 150 miles south ofWashington, D.C., USA." This website captures the history and information of Williamsburg through educational resources, electronic field trips, teacher resources, lesson plans, as well as providing reference and research sources, and museum exhibition information.
Colorado History in Photos, Primary Sources and Virtual Tours - Doing History
http://hewit.unco.edu/dohist/
Take a tour of Colorado’s past. "On your journey, you will meet miners and farmers, and ancient and historical Indians." Meant for children K-8
Commodore John Barry
http://www.ushistory.org/more/commodorebarry.html
Refered to as the "Father of the American Navy," learn more about his life at sea and his contributions to American History.
Disability Rights Movement
http://americanhistory.si.edu/disabilityrights/index.html
Did you know that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has celebrated its 10th anniversary? This exhibit will give you all the details on "the history of activism by those who have fought for the civil rights of people with disabilities."
Educator's Learning Page of the Library of Congress
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/
Through a variety of Educators' Programs, the Library of Congress Learning Page shows educators how they can use American Memory resources in the classroom.
The Electric Franklin
http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/
"A cornucopia of Ben Franklin. Source material, original historical fiction, his kite, his Philadelphia, his Autobiography, plus games, videos, 360° panoramas and much more!"
Ellis Island
http://www.internationalchannel.com/education/ellis/
Would you like to learn about the experiences of immigrants who came through Ellis Island? This site offers information about the history of Ellis Island and even gives you the chance to hear about the adventures of some of the immigrants themselves.
Encarta's African American History
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761595158/African_Americ...
"This feature is dedicated to the celebration of African-American achievers." The site has achievers in science, the arts, education, literature, politics and sports.
Experiencing War: Stories from the Veterans History Project
http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/themes.html
What was it like to land on the beach in Normandy on D-Day? What was it like to be a POW? Listen and watch hundreds of veterans recount their experiences of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Exploring Maryland's Roots
http://mdroots.thinkport.org/
Explore Maryland’s roots at this engaging site: investigate the buildings of a Woodland Indian village; travel as an indentured servant from London to the new colony; hear passages from a colonist’s diary; and solve the mystery of the three coffins.
The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
https://webfiles.uci.edu/mcbrown/display/faces.html
Find out about African American scientists and engineers. You can read about biochemists, computer scientists, entomolgists, inventors, zoologists and many others.
First Ladies Gallery
/about/first_ladies/
From Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton, you can read about all the first ladies of the U.S.
The First Thanksgiving: Mayflower Voyage
http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/voyage/ind...
Learn about the Mayflower's voyage in 1620, as well the Harvest Feast that became known as the "First Thanksgiving".
Four Faces of Pocahontas
http://www.co.henrico.va.us/manager/History/pokeypix.html
Learn more about this legendary Native American woman. This page gives information about Pocahontas, including details about her rescue of John Smith, her kidnapping, and her later life.
From Revolution to Reconstruction: A Hypertext on American History
http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/
This site gives the history of the United States from the landing of the Mayflower to current times. The site is always looking for contributors, and you can submit your essay to the site. It's great for students who need to write a U.S. history report. This site contains the full-text of many important primary source documents, such as the Magna Charta, The Constitution of the Iroquois Nations, and the Final Text of the Declaration of Independence.
Go West with Lewis & Clark
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/west/
"Wild rivers. Rugged mountains. An unknown continent to explore. This legendary American expedition faced them all, and you can be a member of their team."
Gold Rush! California's Untold Stories
http://www.museumca.org/goldrush/
Tour this virtual museum and find out all about the gold rush. You can also learn what Native Americans thought of this period of American history.
Gold Rush
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/goldrush/
Did you know that those who went west for gold sometimes spent $100 for a cup of water? Learn other "fun facts" and more at this site.
Gold Rush!
http://pbskids.org/wayback/goldrush/
Travel out with with the prospectors as they hope to strike it rich by finding gold.
The Great Chicago Fire and the Web of Memory
http://www.chicagohs.org/fire/
Learn more about one of the most famous fires in history . This site offers historical facts, eyewitness accounts, and pictures about the fire that destroyed Chicago in 1871.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tubman/tubman.html
Are you curious about Harriet Tubman and the history of the Underground Railroad? Learn abou t them through pictures, maps , and quizes at this site created by Pocantico Hills School second graders.
Harvest of History
http://www.harvestofhistory.org/
Explore this New York village from 1845 and learn about food production in the past and present. Then make your own video using the photos and video clips you collect. Authentic diary entries, maps, and newspaper ads are included.
Hawaiian Proverbs
http://www.kamalii.k12.hi.us/fishpond/proverbs.html
Ancient Hawaiian proverbs interpreted by the students of Kamali'i Elementary School.
History Buff's Home Page
http://www.historybuff.com/
"Press coverage of events in American history. Includes a searchable library with the categories Civil War, Baseball, Engravings, Journalism Hoaxes, Old West including Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Crime figures such as Bonnie & Clyde, Lizzie Borden and more than a dozen other categories. The Presidential Library includes the inaugural addresses of all U.S. presidents. There is also a primer for historic newspapers."
Houdini
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/vshtml/vshdini.html
This site presents a complete biography of Houdini and includes many photographs of the magician, some of his stunts, and many other subjects.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
http://www.indianpueblo.org/
Many centuries before European explorers found their way to the western hemisphere, the Pueblo Indians developed a distinctive and complex civilization. Learn more about the history of the Pueblo Indians, their culture and arts, and their current day communities and clans.
John D. Rockefeller
http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/rockefeller/jdr.htm
This site is packed with a timeline, family tree, photo album, artifactsmuseum, quiz, crossword puzzle, word search and so much more."
Kids Domain: Black History
http://resources.kaboose.com/kidslinks/social-studies/black-...
Learn about famous African Americans and other aspects of Black history from the sites listed here.
The Land of Glittering Dreams
http://www.glittering.com/
Learn about the California gold rush through photographs and stories.
Learning Page of the Library of Congress
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/
Pathfinders guide you through American Memories. Lots of photos of Americans and even some games where they turn photos into puzzles you can play with.
The Learning Page: American Memory Timeline
http://learning.loc.gov/learn/features/timeline/
"A comprehensive look at America's history, through primary sources, brings the past to life in a personal way."
The Learning Page: Women Pioneers in American Memory
http://learning.loc.gov/learn/features/women/women.html
This site gives access to primary collections of women's stories through American History.
Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/
Learn about the history behind one of America's greatest expedition. Lead the expedition through an interactive story, read about the Native American tribes who inhabited the area before the arrival of Lewis and Clark, and read journals written by the Corps of Discovery as they made their way into the wild west!
The Liberty Bell Homepage
http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/
"Everything you've always wanted to know about the Liberty Bell. History, trivia, and a photo essay."
Library of Congress Exhibitions
http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/
Exhibits from the Library of Congress Collection. Read about important events in American history or look at pictures.
Library of Congress: American Treasures
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/
What is a treasure? This site is a collection of the treasures from the U.S. Library of Congress's collections, including letters from Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin and the original lyrics to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". It documents an exhibit that is on display at the Library in Washington, D.C., but if you can't go to Washington to see it, you can read all about it on the Web!
The Life of Henry Ford
http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/hf/default.asp
Explore the life and work of Henry Ford.
The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://golden-legacy.com/mlk/mlkjr1.html
This online comic book tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the famous civil rights leader.
Louisiana Digital Library: Louisiana Maps
http://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/cdm4/browse.php?CISOR...
"Historic maps from the French Colonization of Louisiana and Louisiana Purchase Map Collection" following the exploratory voyages of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville (1661-1706).
The Mayflower Web Pages
http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/
Learn the names of all the passengers on the Mayflower. This site offers lots of information not only about the Mayflower, but also such topics as the first Thanksgiving, Native Americans, clothing of the Pilgrims and much more.
Museum of Afro American History Boston
http://www.afroammuseum.org/
Visit this historical museum online. The web site's Black Heritage Trail is a walking tour that explores the history of African Americans who lived in Boston during the 1800s. The tour includes facts about and pictures of schools that African American children went to during this time.
National Civil Rights Museum
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/
Visit this museum that honors those who fought for the civil rights of African Americans. Learn about the history of the civil rights movement and important leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Booker T. Washington.
National Park Service: The Great American Landmarks Adventure
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/pad/adventure/landmark.htm
Print out and color drawings of 43 U.S. National Historic Landmarks while learning about their history.
The Oregon Trail
http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Oregontrail.html
Learn about the Oregon Trail, " much more than a pathway to the state of Oregon;.. the only practical corridor to the entire western United States." "Without the Trail, most of the American West would likely be a part of Canada or Mexico today." Created by the authors of "The Oregon Trail," a television documentary that has appeared on PBS.
Pioneers
http://heritage.uen.org/pioneers/index.html
Find out about the people who travelled west. Some of the biographies are of children, who tell their stories in their own words.
Pocahontas Myth
http://www.powhatan.org/pocc.html
This page offers another look at the stories about Pocahontas. The Powhatan tribe responds to the Disney version by explaining how the animated movie differs from historical fact.
Pomp: The True Story of the Baby on the Sacagawea Dollar
http://pompstory.home.mindspring.com/index.html
"He's cute, he's sleepy, and he's in your pocket. He's Pomp, the napping little baby on the new Sacagawea dollar coin." Read about Pomp's amazing life in six chapters.
Project WhistleStop
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/
"Project WhistleStop is funded in part by a United States Technology Innovation Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. ... Project WhistleStop will create a virtual community of teachers and students engaged in authentic and challenging learning projects supported by new teaching and technology resources built on the original source materials of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum."
Salem: Witchcraft Hysteria
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/salem/
Learn about the famous witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts in this interactive history story from National Geographic.
Seabiscuit -- The Longshot that Captured America's Heart
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/seabiscuit/
This site has information about a winning horse from the 1930s. It also has information about horse racing in general and about history during the Great Depression.
SmartFun Online
http://www.hfmgv.org/education/smartfun/index.html
Here, students can explore an interactive timeline, go on a Model T road trip, find out what it was like to live under enslavement, investigate the lives of a colonial family, and more. Materials for teachers (including lesson plans) are also included.
Stand Up for Your Rights
http://pbskids.org/wayback/civilrights/
Learn about the history of civil rights in the United States: religious freedom, women & the vote, and school desegregation.
The Star-Spangled Banner
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ssb/
This site from the Smithsonian explores the history of the American flag.
Summer Vacation
http://pbskids.org/wayback/summer/
How did people spend their summer vacations in times past? Learn about the history of summer camps, road trips, and how Miami Beach was created.
Technology in 1900
http://pbskids.org/wayback/tech1900/
What was technology like 100 years ago? Find out on this site, where you can read about the first telephone operators, early race cars, and music video 1990s style.
The History Museum at the Castle: Houdini Facts
http://www.myhistorymuseum.org/houdini/facts.asp
Learn some lesser known facts about this famous magician: his death, his hobbies, and his connections to other famous people. Includes a virtual exhibit.
Thomas Jefferson
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/
Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States. Learn about his life and deeds in this exhibit from the Library of Congress.
Today in History
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/
Find out what different events from American history happened on this day, or search the archive.
Today in History: December 7
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec07.html
Learn more about the date which will live in infamy. This page gives information about the telegraph announcing the attack,Roosevelt's address to Congress, and other important details. Lots of links to other sites about Pearl Harbor.
U-505 Submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/u-505/
Explore a German U-505 submarine that was captured during World War II. Play the interactive games and take a virtual tour to learn about submarine technology and history of the war.
The Underground Railroad
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/
"You are a slave. Your body, your time, your very breath belong to a farmer in 1850s Maryland. Six long days a week you tend his fields and make him rich. You have never tasted freedom. You never expect to. And yet . . . your soul lights up when you hear whispers of attempted escape. Freedom means a hard, dangerous trek. Do you try it?"
Valley Forge Historical Museum
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/
Learn about the six months George Washington and his army spent at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 - 1778. Visit the Valley Forge Museum's online exhibit to see items saved from that period of the Revolutionary War.
Vietnam Online
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/
"The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular war in which Americans ever fought." Learn about the events of the war, who was who, and read reflections written by people who were there.
Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution
http://www.ushistory.org/march/
This site covers the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777, including the March to Brandywine, the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of the Clouds, the Paoli Massacre, the March to Germantown, and the Battle of Germantown. It also has information on Fort Mifflin, Valley Forge, and the British in Philadelphia.
Voices from the Days of Slavery: Former Slaves Tell Their Stories
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/voices/
Hear former slaves tell of their experiences from the time of slavery and after. This collection includes voices of 23 men and women born between 1823 and the early 1860’s who were interviewed in the 1930’s. Songs are often included.
Way Back- US History for Kids
http://pbskids.org/wayback
Have fun learning about the history of the US.
What Did You Do in the War, Grandma?
http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/WWII_Women/tocCS.html
"An oral history of Rhode Island women during World War II, written by South Kingston High School students." Read first-hand accounts of what it was like to be a woman in America during the second World War.
Woman Suffrage and the 19th Amendment
http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/woman_suff...
This is the place to learn about how women gained the right to vote in the United States.
The World of Benjamin Franklin
http://www.fi.edu/franklin/rotten.html
Check out this great website from the Franklin Institute with lots of fun facts and a Quick Time movie. Be sure to click on the Franklin FAQ! (Frequently Asked Questions)
You Be the Historian
http://americanhistory.si.edu/hohr/springer/
"See if you can figure out what life was like 200 years ago for Thomas and Elizabeth Springer's family in New Castle, Delaware."

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