Spotlight on Elementary Education

History has been shaped and influenced by the out come of ancient trials—such as the Trial of Socrates in 399B.C.—to Rosenberg Trial in the 1950s. This site offers a comprehensive look at 50 prominent court trials throughout history and its resources can be used to give young learners an introduction to the history of the modern judicial system.

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Website Reviews

Find quality websites & primary sources
Civics Online
Photo, Roy Takano [i.e., Takeno] at town hall meeting, LOC

Gain inspiration for new ways to approach political history.

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The Vault

With the Freedom of Information Act, the government declassified thousands [...] »

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

Although painful to view, racist memorabilia reminds us of past mindsets [...] »

History Quiz

Test your history knowledge
Yo, Ho, Ho and a . . . Bushel of Oysters?

Shellfish pirates stole from the rich to feed themselves—and make a little [...] »

Political Animals

A menagerie of terms for politicians, parties, factions, and movements.

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Stumbling Down the Road to Health

It seemed like a good idea at the time . . . which “healthful” ingredients [...] »

Beyond the Textbook

Question textbook narratives
Coal and the Industrial Revolution
Photo, At the close of the day, January 1911, Lewis Hine, Library of Congress

How can the story of coal help students understand the nature of today's [...] »

Rise of the Automobile
Photo, Model A Ford in front of antique gas pumps, August 4, 2007, Flickr

Americans today take cars for granted. How did they change American life? [...] »

Labor and Trade in Colonial America
Photo, Weavers at Colonial Williamsburg, May 29, 2010, animalvegetable, Flickr

Was colonial trade really triangular? What kinds of work did colonists do, [...] »

National Resources

Federal teaching resources
U.S. Fire Administration
Photo, Angel Island Fire, Behind Alcatraz, October 12, 2008, LeeLeFever, Flickr

Give historical fires perspective through modern statistics.

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U.S. Coast Guard
Art, Auxliarist, Lew Jackson, U.S. Coast Guard

Who protects U.S. interests in international and domestic waters?

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U.S. Army
Photo, The 101st Airborne troops move out of Bastogne. . . , 1944, U.S. Army

Increase your knowledge of the people, past, and technology of the United [...] »

Ask a Historian

The U.S. and Egypt in the 1950s
US map of Port Said 1956

Creating political blowback in the Middle East

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