Edward L. Ayers of the University of Virginia looks at Northern and Southern responses to John Brown's Raid and John Brown's execution, focusing on the regional differences the responses brought to the fore and media manipulation of these responses.
To view this clip, select "John Brown's Raid and the American Sectional Crisis" under "Political Development Video."
Former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs and her daughter, noted journalist Cokie Roberts, join archivist Allen Weinstein for a conversation about their mother/daughter relationship in an influential political family. Mrs. Boggs served nine terms in the House of Representatives—the first woman elected to the House from that state. She was the first woman to chair a national political convention and the first woman to serve as Ambassador to the Vatican. Mrs. Boggs is the author of Washington Through a Purple Veil.
Cokie Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News covering Congress, politics, and public policy. She has won countless journalistic awards and has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. Her books include We Are Our Mothers' Daughters and Founding Mothers.
To listen to this interview, scroll to "Lindy Boggs and Cokie Roberts," and select "Watch the Video."
Professor Lawrence Levine looks at the popular culture of the 1930s, during the Great Depression, and what it reveals about culture and society as a whole at the time. He looks at Superman, comics, and superheroes; private detectives in fiction; and gangsters in fiction.
Professor Nell Painter discusses the research that went into the writing of her book Standing at Armageddon: The United States, 1877-1919. She focuses on grassroots politics and labor movements during this period, and the political reaction to and fear of them.
To view this lecture, scroll to "Nell Painter" under "American History Institute," which is in turn located under "E-Lectures."
Michael Ray narrates a basic introduction to the Battle of the Alamo and popular memory of the battle. The presentation looks briefly at how films and fiction have reimagined the story of the Alamo and distorted historical facts.
The Newseum—a 250,000-square-foot museum of news—offers visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. The Newseum features seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces, and visitor services. It offers a unique environment that takes museum-goers behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made.
The museum offers exhibits, tours, film and multimedia screenings, classes, lectures, and other educational and recreational events and programs. DC Metro area schools can schedule field trips with free admission for students; both box lunches and lunch vouchers are available with payment. Students may attend one 50-min., standards-aligned, educator-led class for free during their field trip (see the list of available classes, for grade levels 3-12); and educator-led tours are available for an additional charge.
To prepare for a field trip, teachers may attend an orientation session. Groups may also schedule professional development sessions for educators—subjects relevant to U.S. history include "The Battle for the Bill of Rights: The Free Press and the Founding of Our Nation," "The Photographic Revolution: The Ethics and Impact of Seeing the Story, From the Civil War to the Slums of New York to Today," "A Global Nation: The Free Flow of Information and Media Ethics," and "Making a Change: Civil Rights and the First Amendment."
This iCue Mini-Documentary describes the original division of public opinion over the Mexican-American War. Many accused President Polk of provoking a war.
This feature is no longer available.
"Howard Fineman, Newsweek’s chief political correspondent, visits the National Constitution Center in the thick of the election season to discuss politics, candidates and his new book, 'The Thirteen American Arguments,'" looking at the historical origins and evolution of the arguments that he believes define American politics.
This A&E clip chronicles First Ladies' various relationships with the press and media, looking at how these relationships have evolved over the 19th and 20th centuries.
Appears to no longer be available.
Forty-four "full-life" interviews with American women journalists are available on this website. Interviewees include women who began their careers in the 1920s through the present. Print, radio, and television journalism all are represented.
Interviews address difficulties women have encountered entering the profession and how their presence has changed the field. They also discuss political life, famous people interviewed, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, and social, ethical, and technological changes of the 20th century.
A preface and an explanation of methodology introduce the site. Each interview is linked to a photograph and brief biographical sketch of the interviewee. Interviews range from one to 12 sessions and each session is about 20 pages long. Interviews are indexed but not searchable.