Mark Grimsley of Ohio State University examines the military significance of the Civil War in terms of general U.S. military history, especially the ways in which it differed from other American wars. This lecture was part of "What Students Need To Know About America’s Wars, Part I: 1622-1919: A History Institute for Teachers, held July 26-27, 2008, at the First Division Museum in Wheaton, IL, sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and by the Cantigny First Division Foundation.

Video and audio options are available. Note that the "Listen to streaming MP3 audio" option links to a lecture on the Mexican-American War. However, audio is available by selecting "Download MP3 audio file."

Library of Congress historian Marvin Kranz discusses Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address, pointing out that research has revealed that some of the phrases in the speech were suggested to Lincoln by others, while at the same time praising Lincoln's self-taught prose writing style.

This podcast describes the signature exhibit at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, which covers the entire Civil War and some of the war's most famous artifacts, including Robert E. Lee's camp gear and JEB Stuart's plumed hat.

In this podcast, listeners trace the Confederate attack route to the Union guns posted above them on July 1, 1862. Designed as a 10-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the Civil War site's layout and history.

Fighting here June 27, 1862, resulted in Robert E. Lee's first victory as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and was a turning point in the Seven Days battles. In this podcast, listeners will learn more about this Civil War fight. Designed as an eight-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.

Little Round Top on the Gettysburg battlefield was the scene of some of the most dramatic moments in American history, July 2, 1863. In this podcast, listeners will learn more about the fighting on Little Round Top. Designed as a four-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.

The Five Forks intersection was critical to the Confederate defense of Petersburg and ultimately Richmond in the spring of 1865. In this podcast, listeners will learn about the decisive Civil War battle here on April 1. Designed as a five-stop driving tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.

The Union attack here June 1, 1864, nearly resulted in a breakthrough. In this podcast, listeners will learn about the specifics of this Civil War attack. Designed as a seven-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.

The doomed Confederate charge July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg has become one of the most famous events in American military history. In this podcast, listeners will follow in the footsteps of Pickett's men that day. Designed as a five-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.

The bloodiest one-day battle of the Civil War began when thousands of Union soldiers plunged into D.R. Miller's cornfield. In this podcast, listeners tour the opening moments of the Battle of Antietam. Designed as an eight-stop walking tour, this podcast can also be listened to to gain a sense of the site's layout and history.