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Colonial Williamsburg
A restored and reconstructed 18th century city, Colonial Williamsburg recreates many of the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial life. But what was its significance in revolutionary Virginia?
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The Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War, triggered by the mysterious destruction of an American warship in Cuba, swiftly ended Spanish colonial rule and established the U.S. as a dominant global power.
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Enslaved African Americans in the Revolution
At the time of the American Revolution, enslaved Africans made up a fifth of the population of the Thirteen Colonies. Though they were initially barred from taking part in the war, eventually thousands did. But what part did they play...
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The Liberty Bell
In the United States, the Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom. In this video, learn about the history of the bell, and why it is still important today.
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Women in the Revolutionary War
Women in the Revolutionary War did more than manage the homefront – they spied, wrote influential works, and fought for future rights.
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Boston Massacre
Tensions between colonists and Great Britain exploded with the Boston Massacre of 1770. The deaths of five men, alongside John Adams’ landmark defense of the British soldiers, helped sow the seeds of rebellion across the colonies.
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The Sons and Daughters of Liberty
In 1765, two secretive groups formed in Boston, Massachusetts to resist rising British taxes. The Sons and Daughters of Liberty forced the repeal of the Stamp Act and lit the spark of colonial independence.
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Independence Day
The Fourth of July marks the transformation of the 13 colonies into a free and independent United States.
Astrum
The Strangest Space Race You Never Knew About
The little-known story behind the Zambian Space Program.
Science ABC
What Is Colonization? Does Colonialism Still Exist?
The group or nation that dominates others is called a colonial power or imperial power, while the subjugated nation becomes a colony. This power play that colonial states use to exploit other nations for their own personal advantage,...
Curated Video
Differences Between the Colonies
The 13 colonies were all part of the British Empire, but they had many differences, from colonists' views on religious freedom to how they educated their children.
Curated Video
What is Presidents' Day?
Every year, on the third Monday of February, Americans celebrate Presidents’ Day. A federal holiday that originally began as a birthday celebration for George Washington, the first President of the United States.
Curated Video
Charles Willson Peale: Artist of the Revolution
Charles Willson Peale was not just a painter; he was also a soldier, politician, and educator. His life and work offer us a vivid snapshot of Revolutionary America and its heroes.
Curated Video
Julia Stockton Rush: Love and Family Amid War
Julia Stockton Rush's letters offer a unique glimpse into the lives of women during the American Revolution, capturing a nation's birth from a female perspective.
Curated Video
Mapp v. Ohio: Illegal Search and Seizure
Mapp v. Ohio was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that safeguarded the Fourth Amendment right to privacy after a Cleveland woman was wrongly convicted following an illegal search of her home.
Curated Video
Who Founded the Republican Party?
In the United States’ two-party system, the Republican Party competes with the Democratic Party for political power. But when was it formed and how has it changed over the years?
Curated Video
Why did the Colonies Declare Independence?
In the late 1770s, U.S. patriots banded together to declare independence from Great Britain. But why did they want their independence and what kind of country did they want the United States to be?
Curated Video
Branches of Government
The federal government of the United States of America is split into three separate and distinct branches. But what do the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary do and why are they necessary?
Curated Video
What is Constitution Day?
Constitution Day takes place every year on September 17. It celebrates the written document that outlines the rights and freedoms of U.S. citizens.
Curated Video
What is the 4th of July?
Independence Day takes place every year on the 4th of July. It celebrates the day that the Founders of the United States declared their independence from Great Britain.
Curated Video
What Caused the War of 1812?
The War of 1812 was a major conflict between the United States and Great Britain for control of the Northern Frontier. Often described as the second war of independence, in reality it was caused in large part by the ineffective foreign...
Curated Video
Tituba: The First Accused Witch
The Salem Witch Trials are one of the most infamous tragedies in American history, yet most people do not know the story of the enslaved woman at the heart of the hysteria, the first accused witch, Tituba.
Curated Video
The Treaty of Ghent
After almost three years of bitter conflict, the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain came to an end with the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent, but was the war a waste of time and resources?
Curated Video
The Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury, inspired by its first secretary, Alexander Hamilton, is responsible for managing the production of money and maintaining the crucial systems underpinning the financial infrastructure of the United States.