Isabella Baumfree was born into slavery in late 18th century New York. Fleeing bondage with her youngest daughter, she renamed herself Sojourner Truth and embarked on a legendary speaking tour. She became known as an electrifying orator...

On January 17, 1920, less than one hour after spirits had become illegal throughout the United States, armed men robbed a Chicago freight train and made off with thousands of dollars worth of whiskey. It was a first taste of the...

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC and delivered his iconic, “I Have a Dream” speech. In this video, we analyze the text and delivery of Dr. King’s speech to understand...

A U.S. Army training film on the provisions and applicability of Article 3 of Geneva Conventions of 1949, as related to treatment of military and civilian victims of the type of insurgencies that were common in the 1950s through the1970s.

A civilian defense ad, which enourages Baltimore residents to join the civil defense during WWII.

An anouncement that encourages Baltimore's Black residents to vote against daylight saving, which was on the ballot in 1944.

This WW II short film contrasts America's free industrial labor force with the subjugation of laborers in countries overtaken by Axis powers in an attempt to raise public support for the war effort. It stresses the fact that World War II...

A short, animated video that was part of the W.S.S. Thriftettes' bond drive and war savings movement. A promotion for war savings stamps, reputed here to help confine Germany's Kaiser to a circus cage.

How was the Golden Gate Bridge built—and why is it so famous? This video takes kids on a journey through the history and engineering of one of the world’s most iconic bridges. Learn how workers overcame fog, wind, and huge challenges to...

Recorded on September 24th 1912, "Democratic Principles" was one of a series of six recordings made by Wilson in the run up to the 1912 presidential election — the other recordings were "On the Third Party, "On The Trusts, "To the...

Recorded on September 24th 1912, "To the Farmers" was one of a series of six recordings made by Wilson in the run up to the 1912 presidential election — the other recordings were "On the Third Party, "On The Trusts, "Democratic...

The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first of the American Revolutionary War, famous for the “shot heard ‘round the world”. But how did it start, what happened during the battle and what impact did it have?

Learn more about the women's suffrage movement in this interview with Dr. Colleen Shogan, vice chair of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission and senior vice president at the White House Historical Association, on the occasion of...

The Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee is believed to be the one of the world’s oldest participatory democracies and the oldest democratic form of government on the American continent.

Originally made from five Native American...

The Battle of the Wabash or St. Clair's defeat was a battle fought in 1791 on the Wabash river, near present day Fort Recovery, Ohio. The battle is also reffered as the Battle of a Thousand Slain. It's the US Army's Biggest or...

On November 4, 1791, Native American forces of the Northwestern Confederacy launched a devastating surprise attack on General Arthur St. Clair’s US Army encampment near the Wabash River. The ensuing battle resulted in catastrophic losses...

In the autumn of 1791, General St. Clair's expedition faced severe challenges: slow progress, supply shortages, low morale, and desertions. As his weakened force camped on exposed terrain near the Wabash River, unaware of the looming...

General St. Clair's expedition of 1791 aimed to crush Native American resistance in the Northwest Territory and secure US control over the region. Hampered by corruption, supply shortages, and poorly trained troops, the campaign’s...

In 1787, the United States faced mounting debt and unrest as settlers pushed illegally into the Northwest Territory, sparking violent resistance from Native American tribes. Despite calls for fairness, President George Washington...

This video follows the Lewis and Clark Expedition, initiated by President Jefferson after the Louisiana Purchase. The mission aimed to explore the new territory, map trade routes, document plant and animal species, and build...

This video outlines the negotiations behind the Louisiana Purchase, focusing on James Monroe and Robert Livingston's efforts in Paris. It explains their surprise at Napoleon Bonaparte's offer to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for...

This video explores the significant effects of the Louisiana Purchase on the United States. It discusses how the acquisition doubled the country's size, opened up new trade routes along the Mississippi River, and enabled westward...

This video explores the events leading up to the Louisiana Purchase and President Thomas Jefferson's concerns about New Orleans in the early 1800s. It covers Jefferson's efforts to secure access to the Mississippi River for American...

A trip to a wax museum and a conversation with a local historian tell the story of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. On October 16, 1859, an abolotionist named John Brown led a raid on the armory in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia....