For much of the 20th century, African Americans in the South were barred from the voting booth, sent to the back of the bus, and walled off from many of the rights they deserved as American citizens. Until well into the 1960s, segregation was legal. The system was called Jim Crow. In this radio documentary, Americans—black and white—remember life in the Jim Crow times. The documentary is divided into three downloadable sections.

To listen to this documentary, select "Part One," "Part Two," or "Part Three" under "Listen."

This Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition podcast outlines the life and impact of Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente (1934–1972), who, later in life, played professional baseball in the U.S. and became a hero and spokesman for Puerto Rico, as well as a civil rights activist.

Professor Clarence Walker details the 1857 U.S. Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sandford, in which the Court ruled that individuals of African descent could not be U.S. citizens and that the federal government could not prohibit slavery in the territories. He examines the significance of this case in U.S. history and also previous racist rulings in the U.S.

Professor Salvatore Nick reviews the life of C.L. Franklin (1915-1984), African-American Baptist preacher and civil rights activist. Nick looks particularly at the greater social context within which Franklin spoke and worked—that is, the daily experiences of the African American communities to which he spoke and which he spoke for.

Professor Caroline Cox reviews the life of activist Dorothea Dix (1802-1887), who fought for reform in the treatment of mental patients and served as Superintendent of Army Nurses during the Civil War. She focuses particularly on the difficulties in separating mythology and folklore from truth in tracing Dix's life. Cox also compares and contrasts Dix with the Grimke sisters, Sarah Grimke (1792-1873) and Angelina Grimke Weld (1805-1879), Quakers who worked for both abolition and women's rights.

Professor Clarence Walker reviews the life of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, drawing on Douglass's first autobiography.

Dr. Steven Mintz narrates a general overview of U.S. history, beginning with colonialism and the American Revolution. The presentation focuses on the themes of freedom and equality and the struggle by minorities for both.

To watch this video, scroll to "Flash Movies." From there, select "An Overview of American History."

Professor Harry V. Jaffa analyzes the text of the Declaration of Independence, focusing particularly on its reference to equality. He interprets equality as resting on freedom of religion and on the separation of church and state—that is, on rejecting individual divine favor as setting anyone above anyone else.

This lecture continues from The Declaration in American History and World History, Part One.

Professor Harry V. Jaffa analyzes the text of the Declaration of Independence, focusing particularly on its reference to equality. He interprets equality as resting on freedom of religion and on the separation of church and state—that is, on rejecting individual divine favor as setting anyone above anyone else.

This lecture continues in The Declaration in American History and World History, Part Two.

Professor Hadley Arkes returns to the original debate over whether the Bill of Rights should be added to the Constitution. He looks at the arguments that were put forward, the basis of these arguments, and the repercussions the inclusion of and the contents of the Bill of Rights have had on U.S. history. He uses the 1986 U.S. Supreme Court case Goldman v. Weinberger as a frame for discussing these issues. This lecture continues from the lecture "A Reconsideration of the Original Case Against the Bill of Rights, Part One."