Examine the causes of the Civil War using primary source documents. This lesson plan gives background on the Civil War, includes a timeline, and a bibliography for further reading. Primary source documents include music, newspapers,...

A set of primary sources having to do with music during the Civil War. Analysis tools and teacher guides are included.

Explore band music from the Civil War Period at The Library of Congress website.

Uses primary sources to document the role of Southern women in the Civil War.

A compilation of music from the Civil War era, including patriotic songs, songs of the homefront, as well as battlefield songs. Hear the songs and read the lyrics from "The Civil War Songbook."

This lesson plan could serve as the basis of a curriculum unit on slavery and/or the Civil War. Spirituals are analyzed, especially their cultural implications.

This website outlines the popular forms of music during the Civil War, which included the songs of the minstrel shows like "Dixie," "Blue Tailed Fly," and "Old Dan Tucker."

Enjoy browsing through this virtual music museum. You will see many different pictures ranging from instruments of the Civil War to former President Bill Clinton's saxophone.

This resource provides more than 200 sheet music compositions that represent Lincoln, the Civil War and the times. Compiled by the greatest private collector of Lincoln material, Alfred Whital Stern.

This is a short history of the major influences that have combined to create mountain music, one of which is minstrel music. Provides a good decription of minstrel music in general. Includes names and descriptions of specific songs,...

Colorful exhibit showcases the actual artifacts used by the Civil War soldiers at Gettysburg. View their camp materials, clothing, equipment, and personal items. Also, like soldiers of all wars, long hours passed when they were not...

Sarah Josepha Hale is best known for creating the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Her influence can also be seen in historic sites and in the creation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

Using primary documents, oral histories, and other historical resources, discover how the arts of Africa, Europe, and pre-Civil War America influenced the culture of enslaved African Americans.

PBS presents several activities and lesson plans that cover the concepts of identifying different forms of music, learning about musical imagery, writing in response to music, and creating lyrics. The Sound Lounge has many interactive...

Features an extensive collection of lithographs that portrays everyday life in the 19th century and attitudes about race and ethnicity. These prints play a major role in helping us understand America's past. Subjects covered include...

This site provides you with the lyrics to the song, Dixie. Also provides a link that explains the origins of the popular Civil War song.

A biography of the famous Spanish cellist, Pablo Casals. Of particular interest is the outstanding courage he displayed during the Spanish Civil War.

Homepage of the national magazine for peace and social justice, THE PROGRESSIVE. Read recent news regarding social justice here.

If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.

This website is an excellent source for information on James Bland and his music. Includes images of his sheet music, complete with notes and links to related information on African-American music and popular music from the post-Civil...

See if you can march to the beat of your own drum and try out for a Drum Corps. When the falling letter hits the drum, press the matching key.

The ritual grew as ownership of automobiles and then mass production of portable grills and plastic coolers soared. Tailgating before college and professional football games is an American tradition. Temporary tent cities pop up in...

This timeline shows some very important events in the ten year span between 1963 and 1973. It is a quick, brief overview by year.

Learn what it means to have courage by examining the lives of women who "Were pioneers in their fields, which included education, medicine, art, politics, and music." This page includes biographies of several women including scientist...