History Lessons

The articles below provide access to valuable resources, including articles, videos, and courses that deepen knowledge and civic engagement.

Films to Inspire Civic Engagement

A good movie can transport you into the lives and stories of others. We invite you to explore ...

Ronald Reagan: A Biography

Early Life and Hollywood Career Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in the small town ...

Rosa Parks: The Woman Who Sparked a Movement

Rosa Parks is often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” Her simple but brave decision not ...

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Leader of Courage and Change

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) is remembered as one of the greatest leaders in American history. His dedication ...

The 18th Amendment: America’s Experiment with Prohibition

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on January 16, 1919, marked the beginning of Prohibition, ...

Celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday: A Look at the Life of a Founding Father

Each year on January 17th, we celebrate the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most influential historical ...

Alaska Becomes the 49th State: A Milestone in American History

On January 3, 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States, marking the culmination of ...

The Federal Reserve Act: The Birth of America’s Central Banking System

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act into law on December 23, 1913, establishing the Federal Reserve ...

Joseph Hayne Rainey: A Trailblazing Figure in American Politics

Joseph Hayne Rainey, born in 1832 in Georgetown, South Carolina, holds a significant place in American history as ...

The Boston Tea Party: A Story of Resistance, Revolution, and Legacy

On a chilly December night in 1773, Boston Harbor shimmered under the faint light of a waxing moon. ...

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Ending Slavery in America

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution is one of the most pivotal achievements in American history. ...

The Story of Thanksgiving: How It Became a National Holiday

Thanksgiving, with its cozy family gatherings, mountains of mashed potatoes, and endless slices of pie, is a holiday ...

The Gettysburg Address: A Defining Moment in American History

Gettysburg Address Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived ...

The Death of Blackbeard: A Legend Comes to an End

On November 22, 1718, one of history’s most notorious pirates, Edward Teach—better known as Blackbeard—met his dramatic end ...

The Completion of Mount Rushmore: A Monument to American History

On October 31, 1941, the world witnessed the completion of one of the United States' most iconic landmarks: ...

The Dedication of the Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of Freedom and Hope

On October 28, 1886, New York Harbor witnessed a historic event that would forever shape American identity: the ...

The First Transcontinental Telegram: A Milestone in Communication

On October 24, 1861, the United States marked a pivotal moment in history with the successful transmission of ...

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: A Timeless Tale of Idealism and Integrity

On October 17, 1939, Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington premiered, becoming a landmark in American cinema. ...

The Naming of the White House: A Historical Insight

On October 12, 1901, an important yet often overlooked event in American history occurred: the official naming of ...

October 2, 1967: Thurgood Marshall’s Supreme Court Legacy Begins

On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall made history by becoming the first African American Associate Justice of the ...

The First Televised Presidential Debate: A Turning Point in American Politics

The first televised presidential debate, held on September 26, 1960, between Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy and Republican ...

Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner

Fort McHenry is a significant historical site in Baltimore, Maryland, known for its role in the War of ...

The March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech

On August 28, 1963, a monumental event unfolded in American history: the March on Washington for Jobs and ...

The Development of the 8-Hour Workday: A Century in the Making

The 8-hour workday is something many of us take for granted today, but it wasn’t always the standard. ...

Frederick Douglass’ First Public Speech, August 11, 1841

Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved person turned abolitionist, delivered the first speech of his illustrious career at an ...

History of the American Flag

The American flag, known as the "Stars and Stripes," has undergone several significant transformations throughout its history. Each ...

American Patriot, Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale, a young American schoolteacher turned patriot spy, remains a poignant symbol of sacrifice, bravery, and devotion ...

Ratification of the 19th Amendment

The United States Constitution's 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920, marking ...

Truman’s Executive Order 9981

Executive Order 9981, a groundbreaking rule aimed at eradicating racial discrimination and segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces, ...

Portrait of George Washington, Gilbert Stuart, 1803

George Washington and the Residence Act of 1790

The Residence Act of 1790 was a significant piece of legislation signed into law by President George Washington ...

What is the difference between the CIA and FBI?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are both intelligence and law enforcement ...

Voting Rights Act of 1965

In a landmark piece of American legislation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to prohibit racial ...

What is Federalism?

Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political ...

History of the State of the Union

The State of the Union address is a crucial moment in the United States political calendar. It is ...