James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution”. In this video for US students grades 3-5, we learn about Madison’s remarkable life, career and legacy.

Between 1619 and 1820, slavery shaped America, driving economic growth while deepening divisions between North and South, highlighting a stark contradiction in the nation’s ideals.

Liberty is a founding principle of the United States, but many of the people who helped build the North American colonies were not free. The resilience of enslaved people and their contributions to what would become the United States...

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?

Dred Scott's fight for freedom led to a Supreme Court decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans, fuelling tensions that contributed to the Civil War.

In 1787, the United States government began a series of critical compromises that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution, but also ensured African American enslavement for generations to come.

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...

Prior to the American Revolution, the Stono Rebellion of 1739 was the largest uprising of enslaved people in the thirteen colonies.

James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” – but he was so much more than that. As author of the Virginia Plan and the Bill of Rights, his political genius proved vital in the founding of our nation.

At a time when more than 3 million African Americans were enslaved in the United States, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a groundbreaking book that galvanized the public to call for their freedom.

Every year on June 19th, the United States celebrates the end of slavery. In this video, learn about the history and meaning of Juneteenth.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion was the deadliest slave uprising in U.S. history. By shattering the illusory peace of the Southern states, it led to restrictive new laws that codified slavery across the U.S.

This video explores the mysterious background of Tituba, the first woman accused in the Salem Witch Trials. Learn about her origins, her life as an enslaved woman, her connection to Reverend Samuel Parris’s family, and the events that...

Learn how Robert Smalls led a daring escape aboard the Confederate ship, the Planter, and delivered 17 enslaved people to freedom. Discover his pivotal role in providing crucial intelligence to the Union, meeting President Lincoln, and...

This video tells the story of Phyllis Wheatley, a young girl from Gambia who became the first Black American to publish a book of poetry. Learn about her journey from enslavement to literary fame, her notable works, and her impact on...

Explore the deep roots and evolution of Black music in America, starting with the spirituals of enslaved Africans and moving through gospel traditions. Learn how music has served as a source of resilience, hope, and expression through...

Learn about Carter G. Woodson, the visionary educator who created Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month. Discover how he dedicated his life to uncovering and celebrating the rich history of Black people in...

The origins of the zombie are deeply rooted in the spiritual practice of Vodou, distinct from the popularized Voodoo. Vodou's zombie concept emerged as a representation of a body without free will, manipulated by spiritual forces,...

Colonial America housed many diverse inhabitants—from the enslaved to the gentry—each contributing to society in different ways.

Africans brought to the Thirteen Colonies faced hardships and resisted slavery in their quest for freedom.

Clara Brown made history as a founding settler of Central City Colorado. After gaining her freedom from slavery, she became a philanthropic force for good.

Natalie and Ron Daise share the rich Gullah Geechee culture through the beloved show "Gullah Gullah Island".<br/>

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.

When British troops set the White House alight during the War of 1812, White House staff rallied to save its contents, including a priceless work of art that survives to this day.