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
Urban Planning, 1794-1918: An International Anthology

How did WWI affect urban development? How did it impact housing and business [...] »

Seneca Village

One of the few resources dedicated to Seneca Village and the creation of [...] »

Archives of American Art, Oral History Collections
Photo. Honoré Sharrer in her studio, 1951 April 4. SI

Interested in the life of a particular artist? Find out more about the [...] »

History Quiz

Test your history knowledge
Advice for Beachgoers

Long before sunblock, boogie boards, or bikinis...did ladies wear corsets to [...] »

A-mouldering in the Grave

"John Brown's Body" keeps reappearing. What do you know about the song?

[...] »
Classroom Glory

Does the movie "Glory" depict historical accuracy or wholesale fiction?

[...] »

Beyond the Textbook

Question textbook narratives
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? [...] »

Causing the Civil War
Postcard, Train Load of Cotton for Export, South, 1902-1903, NYPL

Did King Cotton cause the Civil War? Or should you look further?

[...] »
The Modern Civil Rights Movement: A River of Purposeful Anger
Dynamics of Idealism- Volunteers for Civil Rights, 1965-1982 432x240

Textbooks are silent about defining race and racism, even though the modern [...] »

National Resources

Federal teaching resources
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency

How did recreational drug use grow into a U.S. drug culture? How did it [...] »

National Portrait Gallery

Allow students to "meet" their favorite historical figures.

[...] »
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Photo, Barking Frog, Mark A. Musselman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The government acts for fauna as well as society. When did this start? Why [...] »

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Union Cavalry

The development of the Union cavalry forces was behind that of the [...] »