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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The Supreme Court
Screenshot, You Have the Right to Remain Silent, Supreme Court, PBS

The Supreme Court is the final law of the land. Uncover its intricacies with [...] »

Milwaukee Art Museum Collections
Burke Brise Soleil, Milwaukee Art Museum

Teaching Milwaukee state history, or looking to make a connection between [...] »

Legal Information Institute: Supreme Court Collection
Image, Supreme Court Building at night, Supreme Court of the United States.

Decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court change history—explore historical [...] »

History Quiz

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Pre-Modern Pop Music

Before "pop" music reigned supreme, jazz and ragtime amassed great public [...] »

Mapping the Past

A map can tell you more than east, west, north, and south.

[...] »
Socks to War

Even humble, everyday artifacts have a rich place in history.

[...] »

Beyond the Textbook

Question textbook narratives
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 [...] »

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?

[...] »
Slavery
Photo, "An ex-slave," 1897, New York Public Library Digital Gallery

What was it like to be a slave in 19th-century America? Accounts contrast. [...] »

National Resources

Federal teaching resources
Smithsonian
Negative, Dinsmore, Frances. Of Smithsonian. . . , 1915, Harris & Ewing, LoC

What can 19 museums, nine research centers, and the National Zoo offer your [...] »

U.S. Navy

Who defends our seas, and how do they do it? Explore primary sources and [...] »

Preserve America

Preserve America is a White House initiative uniting the work of 11 federal [...] »

Ask a Historian

Why Did President Polk Want War with Mexico?
James K Polk

During the 1840s, Manifest Destiny remained an effusive spirit rather than [...] »