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

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Chicago Anarchists on Trial: Evidence from the Haymarket Affair, 1886-1887

The court proceedings surrounding the Haymarket Affair look at the event [...] »

Idea of America
Photo, Head of rural family asking. . ., 1940, Dorothea Lange, Flickr Commons

The U.S. was formed on ideals, but how do these ideals manifest in reality? [...] »

September 11th Sourcebooks
Air traffic in the. . . September 11, 2001, FAA, September 11th Sourcebooks

Looking for official documents concerning the U.S. stance on terrorism?

[...] »

History Quiz

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Presidential Moments: Hail to the Chief Nicknames

Fond or far-fetched, everyone has one—but as president, nicknames garner the [...] »

By the Numbers: Election Maps

What can historical election maps tell us? Take a look at the electoral vote [...] »

Which Witch?

Words constantly evolve and change over time. What did "witch" mean to these [...] »

Beyond the Textbook

Question textbook narratives
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?

[...] »
Denmark Vesey
An official report of the trials of sundry Negroes, 1822

Tried and executed in 1822, along with many other slaves, for a plotted [...] »

20th-century Jewish Immigration
Dry plate negative, approx. 1920-1930, Jewish colonies and settlements, LOC

Divided into two waves of immigration by textbooks, the continuity of [...] »

National Resources

Federal teaching resources
National Museum of Natural History
Photo, . . . trephining [sic]. . . , 1926, Library of Congress

Don't let "natural history" scare you away! The museum covers anthropology [...] »

U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk

A comprehensive current and historical look at this legislative body and its [...] »

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Photo, NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)

Since its inception, NASA has accomplished many scientific and technological [...] »

Ask a Historian

The Many Faces of Immigration
Colored Lithograph, Welcome to all!, 1880, LOC

American is built upon immigration. However, attitudes about immigration [...] »