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
Panoramic Maps, 1847-1929
Bird's eye view of the city of Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska  1868

Did you know that between 1840 and 1929 many maps were not drawn to scale? [...] »

Salem Witch Trials: Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
Oil painting, Accused of Witchcraft, 1884, Douglas Volk, Corcoran Gallery.

Examine the verbatim transcripts of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.

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History of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Photo, Bridge midsection crashing into, Nov. 7 1940, Bashford & Thompson, UW, SC

Follow the history of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, from its completion in 1938 [...] »

History Quiz

Test your history knowledge
Riding the Rails

How many cows could a cowcatcher catch, if a cowcatcher could catch cows? [...] »

Presidential Moments: Hail to the Chief Nicknames

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

Textbook Twisters: Salem Witch Trials

Burn the witch! Discover how historical coverage of the Salem Witch Trials [...] »

Beyond the Textbook

Question textbook narratives
The Early Conservation Movement
photographic print, Quentin Roosevelt Planting a Tree, c1904, Edward S. Curtis,

The "go-green" movement is rampant in modern America. However, support for [...] »

Huey Long
Stereograph, U.S. Senator Huey Long, c.1933, Keystone View Company

How exactly did U.S. Senator Huey Long intend to end poverty across the U.S [...] »

The Atomic Bomb: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
photographic print, Second atomic bombing of Nagasaki, 1945 August, LOC

Controversial issues are often simplified in textbooks. Discover the facts [...] »

National Resources

Federal teaching resources
National Museum of African Art

Approach African American history and culture through African art.

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National Postal Museum
Ink on paper, Kodak advertisement, c. 1942, National Postal Museum

When going postal is actually a good thing! Explore the Museum's extensive [...] »

U.S. Postal Service
Photo, City Carrier, 1975, United States Postal Service

Come rain or shine, the mail must go through, bringing information and [...] »

Ask a Historian

Forebears’ Furniture
2nd floor plan of William Maclay mansion, built in 1793

How would a 1790 Pennsylvania farmhouse have been furnished?

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