The exhibition 1492: AN ONGOING VOYAGE describes both pre- and post-contact America, as well as the Mediterranean world at the same time. Compelling questions are raised, such as: Who lived in the Americas before 1492? Who followed in the wake of Columbus? What was the effect of 1492 for Americans throughout the Western Hemisphere? The Library of Congress' Quincentenary exhibition addresses these questions, as well as other related themes, including fifteenth century European navigation, the myths and facts surrounding the figure of Columbus, and the differences and similarities between European and American world views at the time of contact.

This site recounts the struggle for control of Hawaii between native Hawaiians and American business interests in the late 1800s. This 1897 petition and a lobbying effort by native Hawaiians convinced the U.S. Congress not to annex the islands. But months later the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana and the Spanish-American War began. The U.S. needed a mid-Pacific fueling station and naval base.

Primary source images, standards correlation, and teaching activities are included in this resource.

...Students use Library of Congress primary sources to evaluate and appreciate the dynamic nature of life in the United States at the end of the nineteenth century.

After the Philippine-American War ended in 1902, Americans became fascinated by the natives of the newly acquired territory, which led to the development of anthropological exhibits showcasing what “primitive” life was like in the Philippines. During this time period, anthropologists adopted an evolutionary perspective rooted in white superiority. One of the exhibits featured the Igorot people, who anthropologist Albert Jenks believed were the most uncivilized tribe in the Philippines. These exhibits/human zoos sparked the creation of negative stereotypes of both the Igorot people and the Filipino community. Students will view the video segment from Asian Americans and engage in activities and discussions to explore the power of perception and its impact on shaping the identities of Asian Americans. Students will also examine the U.S. politics and scientific theories that shaped the perception of Americans and sought to justify U.S. colonization in the Pacific and the mistreatment of the Filipino community.

2021 Social Science Standards Integrated with Ethnic Studies:
Civics and Government: HS.2, HS.9
Historical Knowledge: 5.22, 6.20, 6.21, 8.22, 8.25, HS.52, HS.63, HS.64
Historical Thinking: 5.24, 7.25, 8.31, HS.67, HS.70
Social Science Analysis: 5.26, 5.27, 6.24, 7.27, 8.33, 8.34, 8.36, HS.72, HS.73, HS.74, HS.78

In this second video giving an overview of World War II, we see Germany and the Axis powers only continue to gain momentum in 1940.

In 1941, the Axis gains further momentum with control of most of Continential Europe. Hitler decides to break pact and invade Stalin's Soviet Union. United States enters World War II after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1942 we see the Axis get pushed back in North Africa and get bogged down in the Soviet Union. The tide of war turns in favor of the Allies.

In 1943, the tide really turns in favor of the Allies in World War II. They are able to push the Axis out of N.Africa and force a surrender from Italy (along with Mussolini being deposed). The Soviets are able to start pushing the Axis out of the Soviet Union.

As we go into 1944, we see the allies land at Normandy, liberate France and face Germany in their last major counteroffensive at the Battle of the Bulge. On the Eastern Front, the Soviets end Siege of Leningrad and begin to push through Poland and Romania. In the south, Allies land in southern France and take Rome.

1945 marks the end of World War II. V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) is May 8th 1945. War doesn't end in the Pacific until August of 1945 with the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

plan on using this image to replicate Cynthia's "human timeline" activity to create a US/VA History review for the 11th grade state standadized test (SOL) using only primary sources from the LOC website. This activity will require students to use their knowledge of understanding primary sources to identifiy events in US history and analyze documents to piece together the material they learned throughout the school year leading up to the state test. This activity also helps students practice analyzing primary sources including charts, graphs, pictures, quotes, etc. which are tested on the state SOL. There are a number of ways to conduct this activity, but here are a few examples:

1) Since there will be a lot of documents (from the conception of America to present day) you could break the images up into time periods or themes and ask students to identify and order them. Then, each group can share their resources.

2) The whole class can work together like we did to identify and order the events (this would require a lot of time and brain power).

3) Introduce a set number of images each class period to add to the timelime--this can be posted around the room continuously over the course of your entire review period.

In this activity, students will explore the struggle for universal suffrage long after both men and women constitutionally had the right to vote. Following a progressive timeline, primary sources highlight voting problems which arose for minority groups throughout the 20th century. Students will answer questions as they work through the documents to reflect on if and when universal suffrage was ultimately achieved.

Overview: Music Content and Achievement Standards for the state of North Dakota. Updated 2019.Subject: Music Material Type: Primary Source  

This funny song by Lebanese singers describes their ride on camels through the center of Beirut. The video shows images of downtown Beirut and how unusual it is for camels to be in a big city in the Arab world.

In fifth grade unit 5, Reading Historical Fiction Book Clubs, students will be organized into reading clubs consisting of 3-5 students of similar reading levels as they read historical fiction text set made up of related historical fiction, informational text and primary sources (photographs, letters, posters etc.) How do readers read, analyze and interpret historical fiction text? to understand their historical fiction and the time period connected to the text.
Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

Created by NHPRC Teacher Participant/Creator: Michael Freydin: Adaptable to other grades. Cumulative assignment for the end of the year. During previous lessons, student have evaluated their own place in history, and in our nation’s history. This final project builds on their understanding of history by conduct an interview to connect neighborhood/family history to world history events.

This collection uses primary sources to explore AIDS activism during the 1980s. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

Welcome to the first, biannual Archival Educators Roundtable (AER) Newsletter! In 2016, the Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC) brought together like-minded professionals who use primary sources for public programming, outreach, and education, and the AER was born. As archival education is a still-developing field, the AER created a community where people could share their successes, challenges, and works in progress through casual workshops.AER’s network of educators, archivists, and archival education allies has since expanded its culture of support beyond the biannual meetings here at the RAC through social media, event attendance, joint publications, and email correspondence.It is our hope that this AER Newsletter will further extend the table, so speak, reaching more colleagues as we spotlight educators, and showcase the projects, challenges, and successes of archival education. Just as the aim of AER meetings is to ensure that all perspectives on primary source education are honored, we encourage you, our dedicated AER audience, to reach out and contribute your insights to future AER Newsletters! Many thanks to our first issue's contributors--we couldn't have done it without you.--Marissa Vassari, Archivist and Educator, Rockefeller Archive CenterElizabeth Berkowitz, Outreach Program Manager, Rockefeller Archive Center