This Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition podcast outlines the life and impact of Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente (1934–1972), who, later in life, played professional baseball in the U.S. and became a hero and spokesman for Puerto Rico, as well as a civil rights activist.

In this presentation, students will discover how modes of transportation have changed over time and how those changes have affected North Carolinians.

Professor Lawrence Levine looks at the popular culture of the 1930s, during the Great Depression, and what it reveals about culture and society as a whole at the time. He looks at Superman, comics, and superheroes; private detectives in fiction; and gangsters in fiction.

Professor Dee Andrews reviews the life of Benjamin Franklin, focusing on Franklin's own written materials as a window into his personality and the culture and times within which he lived.

Professor Allan Winkler follows the passage of the 1960s, looking at the social change and unrest in the period and the political and global environment that formed a background to this domestic change. His presentation includes slides and multimedia clips.

To find the lecture, scroll down to the heading "American History Institute," and select a connection type under "Allan Winkler."

Michael Ray narrates a basic introduction to the Battle of the Alamo and popular memory of the battle. The presentation looks briefly at how films and fiction have reimagined the story of the Alamo and distorted historical facts.

Professor Michael Anton traces the trend of U.S. popular cynicism and criticism of government back through the history of the U.S. to the Federalist Papers. He continues further back in time to consider whether the Founders' cynicism was inspired by classical sources such as the Greeks and Machiavelli's The Prince.

This lecture continues from Republicanism: Cynicism and Nobility in Theory and Practice, Part One.

Professor Michael Anton traces the trend of U.S. popular cynicism and criticism of government back through the history of the U.S. to the Federalist Papers. He continues further back in time to consider whether the Founders' cynicism was inspired by classical sources such as the Greeks and Machiavelli's The Prince.

This lecture continues in Republicanism: Cynicism and Nobility in Theory and Practice, Part Two.

Professor Robert Ferrell reexamines popular perception of the 1920s, arguing that, instead of being nationally, a "roaring" decade, it was instead a "staid" decade, though it began an era of change which stretched from 1917 to 1933. He looks at the presidencies during this period, the economy, and foreign policies. This lecture continues from the lecture "Calvin Coolidge and the Staid 1920s."

Professor Robert Ferrell reexamines popular perception of the 1920s, arguing that, instead of being nationally, a "roaring" decade, it was instead a "staid" decade, though it began an era of change which stretched from 1917 to 1933.