History, Social Studies

General

American History and Government

  • American Memory from the Library of Congress
    This site allows you to search through a wealth of primary source materials that include documents, sheet music, maps, motion pictures, photos, prints, and sound recordings. The Collection Finder organizes the libraryıs online collections in the categories of Agriculture, Art and Architecture, Business and Economics, Education, Geography, History, Languages and Literature, Performing Arts, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science and Law, Recreation and Sports, Social Sciences, and Technology and Applied Sciences. You can also browse by time or place. The Features page offers presentations on topics such as Elections, Immigration, Inaugurations, Presidents, Thanksgiving, and Women Pioneers.

  • United Stated History
    Topics in this section of The History Place include the colonial era, the American Revolution, child labor 1908-1912, World War II, Apollo 11 (first lunar landing), the Vietnam War, and presidents of the United States. This Month in History is a timely guide to important events and birthdays.

  • Documents of Freedom
    Provides full texts of a Christopher Columbus letter, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and later amendments, the Monroe Doctrine, "The Star Spangled Banner," the Gettysburg Address, and "The American's Creed."

  • An Introduction to the U.S. Government
    Contains information about how a bill becomes a law, the U.S. Congress, Congressional leadership, the President, the Constitution, elections, campaign finance, the budget, and state government.

  • C-SPAN.org's Guide to Campaign Definitions
    A glossary of terms including absentee voting, caucus, grassroots, incumbent, non-partisan, and many others.

  • 1492: An Ongoing Voyage
    This exhibit discusses the cultures (Native American, European, African) that came into contact beginning with Christopher Columbus's famous voyage in 1492. For an overview of materials in the exhibit, see the Outline of Objects and Topics.

  • The Columbus Navigation Homepage
    Do you know the difference between dead reckoning and celestial navigation? This site explains the various methods of navigation used by Christopher Columbus and other sailors of his era. The site also has information about Columbus's ships and crew, a Timeline (1451-1506), and descriptions of his four voyages to the New World between 1492 and 1504 with detailed maps.

  • The Colony of Roanoke
    What happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Roanoke was settled off the North Carolina coast in 1587 by a small group of colonists. Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in the New World, was the granddaughter of, Governor John White. Gov. White returned to England for supplies and by the time he came back to Roanoke three years later, everyone in the colony had disappeared.

    Colonization Jamestown
    From kidinfo.com, this site contains dozens of links to the important events and people of the Virginia colony, including Pocahontas, John Rolfe, Jamestown & Virginia, which itself contains many links to more related areas.

  • The Mayflower Web Pages
    This site presents lots of information about the Pilgrims and their voyage on the Mayflower, including passenger lists, primary source documents, and historical articles. The articles cover topics including girls' and women's experiences on the Mayflower, the Pilgrims' religious beliefs, Tisquantum (also known as Squanto), the first Thanksgiving, and the clothing and weapons of the Pilgrims.

  • Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials
    The famous witch trials actually occured in the town now known as Danvers. The women and men accussed of witchcraft were NOT witches or wizards. Many were respectable town citizens who, because of the hysterics of several teenage girls, found themsevles put on trial for witchcraft. Of the accused, 19 men and women were hanged on Gallows Hills, one man was put to death by "pressing" and several more died in prison awaiting their trials.

  • Salem Witchcraft Hysteria
    National Geograhic's virtual tour of Salem, allows you to "be" a witch and experience what it was like to endure the trials. Will you survive?

  • The Colonies One By One
    Information on each of the original 13 colonies. Includes details on Native Americans, first explorers and settlers, early history, religion and each colony's status on the eve of the Revolution.

  • Liberty! The American Revolution
    This site offers "reports on the progress, setbacks, and successes of the American Revolution, with a potpourri of related topics." Its main sections are Boston, 1774; Philadelphia, 1776; Trenton, 1776; Saratoga, 1777; Yorktown, 1781; and Philadelphia, 1791. Thereıs also a timeline of the Revolution (1760-1791), an index of related articles (from "The Anti-Federalist Papers" to "Who Fought in the Continental Army?"), a bibliography, and links to other web sites.

  • Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution
    As its name suggests, this site takes you step-by-step through major battles of the Revolutionary War, specifically the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. Start with a brief Background to the Campaign; then explore battles beginning with the British landing at Head of Elk, Maryland, and concluding with the infamous winter at Valley Forge. Along the way, you'll learn about the military strategies used by American General George Washington and British General William Howe.

  • A History of the Declaration of Independence
    This is a comprehensive history of the Declaration of Independence, including the historical context in which it was written and adopted, the many locations where it has been kept since 1776, and the modern equipment that now monitors and protects the document in its display case at the National Archives.

  • To Form a More Perfect Union
    This site describes the work of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention to create a new nation called the United States of America. Engravings, political cartoons, and other artwork from the era enhance the text.

  • George Washington
    Did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree? And what's this about wooden teeth? Challenge the old myths and learn the truth about the man we call "The Father of our Country."

  • The First Ladies of the United States
    Biographies of every First Lady, from Martha Washington to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

  • Ellis Island: Through America's Gateway
    This site gives an overview of the history of Ellis Island, the experiences of immigrants who passed through the processing center, and today's Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

  • Lewis and Clark
    Based on the Ken Burns film Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, this site has loads of information about all aspects of the famous expedition. You can use the Site Map to get a complete overview of the site's many sections.

  • Discovering Lewis and Clark
    If you're looking for an extensive overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition, a map of the trail they followed, or excerpts from the explorers' journals, this is a great place to begin your research.

  • The California Gold Rush
    Contains articles about the Gold Rush—from the day in 1848 when mill operator James Marshall shouted, "Boys! By God, I think I've found a gold mine!" to its lasting impact today—along with photographs and a brief, illustrated history of major events.

  • The Gold Rush
    This site provides an excellent overview of the California Gold Rush. The section called About the Gold Rush contains brief chapters about many aspects of the rush, including the first discovery of gold, the clash of cultures caused by the quest for gold, and the growth of San Francisco during this period. Fun Facts delivers on its promise.

  • Pony Express Home Station
    The Pony Express—a horseback relay mail service—was created in 1860 to deliver mail between St.Joseph, Missouri and San Francisco, California (and all stops inbetween). Visit the Bunkhouse for a list of Pony Express Riders, compiled from various sources including people who actually knew them. You can also find a history page which includes people, places, vocabularly and dates of the Pony Express. The Pony Express School House includes maps of the different Pony Express Routes.

  • www.CivilWar.com
    Civil War history is featured at this site which offers details regarding the battles, people, and places of the war, as well as documents, music and a timeline.

  • Abraham Lincoln Online
    Just about everything you might want to know about Abe Lincoln is accessible through this site. From the main page, you can get to important Lincoln-related events that happened this week in history, Lincoln's speeches and writings, and historic places relevant to Lincoln's life. Educational Links include links to biographical information, sites related to Lincoln's assassination, Lincoln papers at the Library of Congress, and more. Answers to Frequently Asked Lincoln Questions are also helpful.

  • Abraham Lincoln Research Site
    Created by a former U.S. history teacher, this site has a great deal of content about Lincoln and links to other sites. Topics are well organized on the main page, with interesting quotations and trivia interspersed. (A relative said of Lincoln soon after his birth, "He'll never come to much, fur I'll tell you he wuz the puniest, cryin'est little youngster I ever saw.")

  • The Gettysburg Address
    This site includes early drafts of the Gettysburg Address, transcriptions of the address in English and 28 non-English languages, the letter in which Lincoln was invited make a "few appropriate remarks" at Gettysburg, the only known photo of Lincoln at Gettysburg, and preservation techniques for original drafts.

  • Gettysburg National Military Park
    Information about the park, its collections, and a list of Gettysburg Medal of Honor recipients. Take an interesting trip to their "Online Museum" where you will learn about camp life and view many personal items used by the soldiers.

  • The Underground Railroad
    This interactive exploration of the Underground Railroad provides lots of information, photographs, and art to make the experience come alive. Let Harriet Tubman guide you on a difficult and terrifying journey from slavery in Maryland to freedom in Canada. The site also has a map called Routes to Freedom and a time line of slavery in the United States. Face of Freedom has brief descriptions of people who worked to abolish slavery, and there are also Resources and Links to further sources of information.

  • Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery
    A four-part history of slavery in America: The Terrible Transformation (1450-1750), Revolution (1750-1805), Brotherly Love (1791-1831), Judgment Day (1831-1865). Each section has a Resource Bank with additional information.

  • The African American Journey
    A collection of articles on the topics: From Africa to America, From Slavery to Freedom, The First Years of Freedom (1865-1945), The Modern Civil Rights Movement, and A Brief History of Black History Month. Also check out the slide show Charting the African American Journey, which shows maps relevant to the history of slavery in the United States.

  • Encyclopedia Britannica Guide to Black History
    This site features an extensive time line of African-American history plus articles on related topics. Alphabetical lists allow you to search for biographies of prominent people or for events and institutions.

  • Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement
    Covers the years from 1954 to 1965 with brief descriptions and images of important events.

  • Little Rock Central High 40th Anniversary
    Includes a detailed time line http://www.centralhigh57.org/1957-58.htm of events surrounding the 1957-1958 school year in Little Rock, Arkansas, when Central High School was desegregated under a national spotlight.

  • The Age of Imperialism
    During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the United States pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its political and economic influence around the globe. That pivotal era in the history of our nation is the subject of this on-line history. Learn about the Boxer Rebellion, the Spanish American War, the opening of the Panama Canal and more.

  • Pearl Harbor Remembered
    The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is remembered as the event that pulled the United States into World War II. This site offers a map of the harbor as it looked on the morning of the attack; a brief overview of the attack; a detailed time line of events on December 7, 1941; a list of USS Arizona personnel killed; a map showing the route of Japanese attackers over O'ahu; and a collection of survivors' remembrances.

  • Biography of Amelia Earhart
    This biography is a great place to start if you're researching the history of aviation. A related site is Women in Aviation History, which has biographical information about some of Earhart's sisters in flight.

  • The Vietnam War
    Beginning in 1957 and ending in 1975, the Vietnam War was America's longest war and her first military failure on foreign soil. The site explains why Americans fought in this war and includes a link to the Virtual Wall of the Vietnam Memorial which honors those who died in the war.

Ancient History

  • Wonders of the Ancient World
    The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World comprise the greatest feats of ancient technology, architecture, engineering and art as seen by Greek and Roman authors. Explore the Great Pyramid, the Alexandria Lighthouse, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis. Be sure to visit the Seven Modern Wonders!

  • Ancient Egypt
    Here you'll find information about Egyptian life, geography, gods and goddesses, mummification, pharaohs, temples, time, trades, and writing. The site is illustrated with many examples of ancient Egyptian art. For example, check out the Beit el-Wali Cast, a relief painting that shows Ramesses II leading his troops into battle. You can click on various sections of the painting to get more information.

  • Mysteries of Egypt
    Another great site about ancient Egypt. Follow the links to learn why the pharaohs built the pyramids, why the Egyptians mummified their dead, who Queen Hatshepsut was, and about Tutankhamun and the mummy's curse.

  • Ancient Greece
    Compton's Encyclopedia site covers everything from Greek mythology to the Trojan War. Follow the links to learn more about Homer's Illiad and Odyssey, Athens and Sparta, slavery in Greece, the Peloponnesian War, the great philosphers, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, and Heinrich Schliemann, the archaelogist who discovered the ruins of the ancient city of Troy.

  • Greece
    A fun site where you can explore the daily life, the people, the mythology and more about the ancient Greeks. Learn about the Greek Gods, like Zeus and Aphrodite. Read the Story of Persephone and then play the Persephone game.

  • The Roman Empire
    A dynamite site with everything you could possibly ever want to know about the Roman Empire. Read about Casear, Augustus, Nero and Constantine. Cast your vote for the best and worst emperor! Take a picture tour or follow the interactive map links. Learn about the great buildings, like the Colosseum, and who built them. Learn about the Roman Legion, Rome's great army. Find out more about the Roman gods, their alphabet, and Latin language.

  • The Viking Network
    Did you know that pizza was a Viking food? Did the Vikings really wear horns on their helmets? Use the Index to find links around the site to everyday life, Viking ships, gods, history, language, explorations and more.

  • The Inca Empire
    Because the Spanish explorers kept such detailed records, we know more about the Incas than any other early culture of the Andes. This site is full of information about the Incas history, their rulers, culture and the conquest by the Spaniards.

  • Mystery of the Maya
    Deep in the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala lie the ruins of ancient Maya temples and palaces. During the European Dark Ages, the Mayas charted the heavens, mastered mathematics, and evolved the only true writing native to the Americas. You can follow the links to learn more about their civilization, the fabulous buildings they contructed (without metal tools), the ongoing archaelogy, and more.

  • The Aztecs
    The Aztecs had the most advanced civilization in North America at the time of their conquest, but they did not originate it. When they invaded the region, they took over the culture of earlier, advanced peoples such as the Toltecs and Zapotecs. Lots of information here about the Aztec culture and people, and their conquest by the Spaniards.

World History

  • Explorers of the Millennium
    Discover the greatest explorers and the places they travelved. Visit the Hall of Fame to see which explorers are there, and read their biograhies. Take the quiz to see how much you know.

  • Military History
    Everything you ever wanted to know about soldiers and they wars in which they fought. Ride with Alexander the Great and his herd of elephants across the Alps; find out what it was like to be a prisoner of war; learn what weapons were used during the Middle Ages; and learn how women sometimes disguised themselves as men to fight in battles.

  • Interpreting the Irish Famine, 1846-1850
    Provides an introduction to the famine, photographs and artwork from the period, reporting and commentary on the famine from several perspectives (Irish, American, Irish-American, English), plus other background materials.

  • The People's Century
    This site is based on a 26-part PBS series exploring many aspects and events of the twentieth century. The site provides a detailed description of each episode in the series along with interviews (text and audio) with people who experienced events first-hand. The very helpful Thematic Overview allows you to click on any episode and get a brief description of its focus, or select a theme (environment, human rights, military conflict, prejudice, propaganda, etc.) and find out which episodes deal with that theme.

  • 20th Century History
    Learn about the Cold War, Thomas Edison, the Titanic, landing on the moon, building the Empire State building and everything else about the 20th century at this site. Includes discussion groups, a free newsletter, daily facts and fun quizzes.

  • World War I Remembered
    This special report from the British Broadcasting Corporation includes articles on many aspects of World War I with photographs and maps. The Interviews from the Archives section provides first-hand accounts of the war that you can listen to through your web browser.

  • The Great War Interactive Timeline A basic time line of events before, during, and after World War I.

  • World War I: Trenches on the Web
    This site has a great deal of information about World War I, including documents, maps, time lines, biographies, photographs, and much more. The Library is a good place to start, as it offers a site map with an overview of the site's major sections.

  • The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
    Describes the events that led to the construction of the wall, how it was built, and what life was like for those behind the wall.

  • Pirate Ghosts
    At this site you can learn about two recently discovered pirate ships and the famous pirates who captained them. One is "Black" Sam Bellamy's ship Whyday, which sank off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in 1717. The other is Blackbeard's ship Queen Anne's Revenge, which ran aground in 1718 off North Carolinaıs Outer Banks. (This recent discovery is still in the process of being authenticated.) For more about the captain of Queen Anne's Revenge, check out Blackbeard: Pirate Terror at Sea, or read more about his favorite hangout in Pirates of the Bahamas.

Countries

  • The World Factbook
    This site gives a detailed profile of each country, including a map and information about geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. The Reference Maps section provides large, detailed maps of the world's major regions.

  • World Surfari
    Each month a new country is profiled at this site, with information on the country's history, population, and society plus links to related sites. Countries include Tonga, Greece, Peru, Sweden, Mali, Armenia, Taiwan, Gibraltar, Samoa, New Zealand, Cambodia, Belgium, Qatar, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Jamaica, Mongolia, and Greenland.

  • Arab.net
    Links to lots of information, historical and otherwise, about 22 Middle Eastern and north African nations.

  • Made in China
    A team of "digital adventurers" traveled around China for five weeks, and their exploration of the geography and culture is documented here. The web site contains articles on many topics with lots of photos and movies. Search these topics in the Exploration Archive, or check out the cartoon adventures of Candide and Professor Pangloss , which are both amusing and informative.

  • Introduction to China
    The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, provides this site with basic information about land and resources, administrative divisions, history, population and ethnic groups, political system, structure of the state, political parties and social organizations, foreign policy, tourism, and sports.

  • The Culture, History, and Tradition of Ireland
    This archive contains articles on various aspects of Irish culture, and history.

Environment and World Population

  • Six Billion and Beyond
    This site supports the PBS documentary film of the same name, which has case studies of population growth in six countries: the United States, Mexico, India, Italy, China, and Kenya. On the main page, click on the name of a country for an overview of that country's population history plus information on the environment, reproductive health, the economy, and women's status. The Library provides links to other sites with information about world population, downloadable fact sheets for the six countries, and summaries of the case studies.

  • Day of 6 Billion
    October 12, 1999, is the official date when the world's human population reached 6 billion. This site introduces some basic issues of world population: environment, health, education, and what you can do to learn more and get involved.

  • National Wildlife Federation for Kids
    Did you know that all the water on earth is all the water we'll ever have? Activities at this site, guided by Ranger Rick, teach about conservation, the, wetlands, endangered species, and our public lands.

  • The Environment—A Global Challenge
    Loaded with information, this site explores the many aspects of ecosystems, energy issues, and natural resources. Be sure to visit Special Features where you can learn about ways you can help save the environment. There is also a Simulation section that will allow you to experience what others in the environmental field deal with every day.

  • Recycle City -- A fun site where you'll learn all about the three Rs: reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Women's Studies

Cultural and Social History

  • The History of Radio
    Highlights several years between 1931 and 1943 with descriptions of radio news coverage, popular music, and other forms of radio entertainment. Historical photographs, print advertisements, and other graphics enhance the text. Of particular interest is the 1941 page, where you can listen to President Franklin Roosevelt's famous speech describing December 7 (when Pearl Harbor was attacked) as "a date which will live in infamy." For more information on the history of radio broadcasting, link to the History and Old-Time Radio page.

  • Solemates: The Century in Shoes
    This is a wonderful site if you're researching the cultural history of the twentieth century. In addition to detailed descriptions and photographs of the shoes women wore in each decade (1900s to 1990s), there's an essay for each period highlighting other cultural trends and historical events.

Genealogy

  • Genealogy Instruction—Beginners, Teenagers and Kids
    Are you related to a President, an inventor or perhaps a notorious outlaw? Did your great, great, great grandfather fight in the Civil War? Genealogy is the history of you and your family. Not just your mother and father, but also your grandparents, great grandparents, and on backward through time. It is often called "The Family Tree". You take the family and place them in order, called generations. Sometimes you have to do some tracking down for information, like in the family bible or go to libraries, churches and even to the City Records building. This site will help you get started.

  • Genealogy for Kids
    Another site for beginning genealogists, especially teens and youngsters, who need help getting started on their Family Tree.

Click here to search for any topic in history.

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