NMAH HE Resources

"1778-1943 Americans Will Always Fight for Liberty" Poster

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:11:44 GMT

To control the form of war messages, the government created the U.S. Office of War Information in June 1942. OWI sought to review and approve the design and distribution of government posters. Posters such as this one and their messages were seen as "war graphics," combining the sophisticated style of contemporary graphic design with the promotion of war aims. Over time, OWI developed six war-information themes for its own internal use, as well as to guide other issuing agencies and major producers of mass-media entertainment.

"Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:22:01 GMT

During the Great Depression, government photographer Dorothea Lange took this picture at a migrant farmworkers' camp near Nipomo, California. Lange's brief caption recorded her impressions of the family's plight: "Destitute pea pickers ... a 32-year-old mother of seven children."

First published in a San Francisco newspaper, this poignant image became one of the most famous photographs of the Depression era, emblematic of the hardships suffered by poor migrant families. The "migrant mother," anonymous for many years, was later identified as Oklahoma native Florence Thompson.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

"Seeing" Music

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:06:13 GMT

Dance is just one way to turn music into something you can see. Your computer can take music and turn it into a different kind of visible art. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes step-by-step directions for exploring your computer’s visualization programs, discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

"Towne of Boston" Flintlock Musket

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:02:28 GMT

American flintlock musket, .69 caliber, with "TOWNE OF BOSTON" branded into the stock.

This gun was put together in the Massachusetts Colony before the French and Indian War to arm the militia of the city of Boston.

"What Hath God Wrought" Telegraph Message

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:40:08 GMT

Printed in Morse code and transcribed by Samuel Morse himself, this message was transmitted from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., over the nation's first long-distance telegraph line.

"Woodsy Owl" Anti-Pollution Poster

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:43:45 GMT

The U.S.D.A. Forest Service introduced Woodsy Owl in 1971 as an anti-litter and anti-pollution symbol to promote wise use of the environment. The campaign, which continues today, is primarily aimed at school-age children and uses slogans such as “Give a Hoot! Don’t Pollute” and “Lend a Hand-Care for the Land.”

¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz Homepage

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:49:15 GMT

Explore the life of Celia Cruz, a world-renowned Latina musician, in this online exhibition. An enormous talent who had an impeccable sense of rhythm and an inimitable style, Celia Cruz became an influential and legendary musical figure both in her native country of Cuba, and the United States, her adopted country. Students will connect her life to a variety of subjects including immigration, history, geography, music theory, music history, and art. A non-flash version of the site is available at http://americanhistory.si.edu/celiacruz/printable/.

101 Questions

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:16:54 GMT

The 101 Questions activity includes reading and responding to the current USCIS Naturalization test, determining a hypothetical 101st question on the exam, and displaying their final product in a classroom or online gallery walk. The activity includes teacher directions and a student worksheet.

16-Pound Bar Shot

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:08:48 GMT

The shape of the bar shot, a center bar with rounded half-circles at either end, made it very effective against a rigged ship. The design allowed the weapon to carry away the yards, masts, and riggings of a ship.

1848 Gold Nugget

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:03:44 GMT

This small piece of yellow metal is believed to be the first piece of gold discovered in 1848 at Sutter's Mill in California, launching the gold rush.

John Marshall was superintending the construction of a sawmill for Col. John Sutter on the morning of January 25, 1848, on the South Fork of the American River at Coloma, California, when he saw something glittering in the water of the mill's tailrace. According to Sutter's diary, Marshall stooped down to pick it up and "found that it was a thin scale of what appeared to be pure gold." Marshall bit the metal as a test for gold.

In June of 1848, Colonel Sutter presented Marshall's first-find scale of gold to Capt. Joseph L. Folsom, U.S. Army Assistant Quartermaster at Monterey. Folsom had journeyed to Northern California to verify the gold claim for the U.S. Government.

In August of that year, as evidence of the find, this piece and other samples of California gold to Washington, D.C., for delivery to President James K. Polk and for preservation at the National Institute. Within weeks, President Polk formally declared to Congress that gold had been discovered in California.

The gold samples then traveled with U.S. Army Lt. Lucien Loeser by ship to Panama, across the isthmus by horseback, by ship to New Orleans, and overland to Washington. A letter of transmittal from Folsom that accompanied the packet lists Specimen #1 as "the first piece of gold ever discovered in this Northern part of Upper California found by J. W. Marshall at the Saw Mill of John A. Sutter."

In 1861, the National Institute and its geological specimens, including this gold and the letter, entered the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. The Marshall Nugget remains in the collections as evidence of the discovery of gold in California.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

1874 Remington Type Writer

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:15:05 GMT

Remington put its writing machines on the market in 1874 at a price of $125. The new Type Writer owed some of its identity to the sewing machines that Remington had recently added to its product line. The writing machine came mounted on a sewing machine stand, with a treadle to operate the carriage return and advance the paper on the platen. Even the Type Writer's shiny black case, elaborately decorated with floral designs and emblems, resembled the factory's sewing machines.

1876 Ellen Harding Baker's "Solar System" Quilt

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:23:18 GMT

This "Solar System" quilt was made by Ellen Harding Baker of Cedar County, Iowa, in 1876. The wool top of this applique quilt is embellished with wool-fabric applique, wool braid, and wool and silk embroidery. Included in the design is the appliqued inscription, "Solar System," and the embroidered inscriptions, "E. H. Baker" and "A. D. 1876." The lining is a red cotton-and-wool fabric and the filling is of cotton fiber.

The maker, Sarah Ellen Harding, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1847, and married Marion Baker of Cedar County, Iowa, on October 10, 1867. They lived in Cedar County until 1878, and then moved to Johnson County, where Marion had a general merchandise business in Lone Tree. Ellen had seven children before she died of tuberculosis in the spring of 1886.

The design of Ellen's striking and unusual quilt resembles illustrations in astronomy books of the period. Ellen used the quilt as a visual aid for lectures she gave on astronomy in the towns of West Branch, Moscow, and Lone Tree, Iowa. Astronomy was an acceptable interest for women in the nineteenthth century and was sometimes even fostered in their education.

Measurements: overall: 89 in x 106 in; 225 cm x 269 cm

Maker(s): quilter: Baker, Ellen Harding

Date Made: 1876

Place Made: United States: Iowa

Credit Line: Gift of Patricia Hill McCloy and Kathryn Hill Meardon

Object ID: 1983.0618.01

Division: Division of Home and Community Life

1880s Agricultural Nation Classroom Activity Guide

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:45:04 GMT

In this set of classroom activities developed for the exhibition America on the Move, students will use visual, analytical, and interpretive skills to examine primary sources including historical maps to answer questions about farming, transportation, immigration, and racism in the 1880s, and will answer questions about the history and impact of railroads on their own communities. The activities provide opportunities for historical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, analyzing cause/effect relationships, understanding multiple points of view, performing original research, debating and persuasive writing and help students develop and strengthen map-reading skills and the ability to identify issues and problems in the past and connect the past to the present.

1920s Industrial America Classroom Activity Guide

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:01:19 GMT

In these classroom activities developed for the exhibition America on the Move, students will use visual, analytical, and interpretive skills to examine primary sources including historical maps and answer questions about them to learn more about railroads, transportation, racism, Jim Crow, travel in industrial America in the 1920s, as well as the impact of the Great Migration (1915-1940) and changes in transportation had on their own communities. The activities helps students develop and strengthen map-reading skills, provide opportunities for historical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, analyzing cause/effect relationships, understanding multiple points of view, performing original research, debating and persuasive writing, and help students identify issues and problems in the past and connect the past to the present.

1930s $100,000 U.S. Gold Certificate

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:42:37 GMT

During the early 1930s, the United States and the rest of the industrialized world experienced an economic depression. In 1934, the United States continued its movement toward removing its currency from the gold standard. It even became illegal to possess gold coins or gold-based currency until Congress relented somewhat for collectors.

1930s and 1940s Highways Classroom Activity Guide

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:45:22 GMT

In these classroom activities, developed for the exhibition America on the Move, students will use visual, analytical, and interpretive skills to examine primary sources including a historical map and photography by Dorothea Lange and answer questions about them to learn more about road travel and the role highways played in 1930s. Students will also conduct research and answer questions about the impact of the Great Depression, WPA and CCC on their own communities. The activities provide opportunities for historical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, analyzing cause/effect relationships, understanding multiple points of view, performing original research, debating and persuasive writing and helps students develop and strengthen map-reading skills. Students also will employ research skills to obtain historical data, analyze and make decisions, identify issues and problems in the past and connect the past to the present.

1950s and 1960s Suburban America Classroom Activity Guide

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:49:43 GMT

In these classroom activities, developed for the exhibition America on the Move, students will use visual, analytical, and interpretive skills to examine primary sources including a historical map and answer questions about them to learn more about the expansion of transportation systems and the impact on their own communities, city planning, the rise of suburban life, and culture in 1950s America. The activities provide opportunities for historical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, analyzing cause/effect relationships, understanding multiple points of view, performing original research, debating and persuasive writing and help students develop and strengthen map-reading skills, identify issues and problems in the past and connect the past to the present.

1955 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:04:32 GMT

In the 1950s, the station wagon became a staple of America's new suburban landscape and a ubiquitous extension of the suburban home. This car reveals how one family adopted a mobile, active lifestyle and how station wagons shaped family life.

Between the 1920s and 1940s, station wagons evolved from small wooden buses to wood-trimmed utility vehicles that carried people, luggage, and recreational gear at rural estates, country clubs, and private schools. Strong demand for used "woodies" among postwar, middle-class families alerted manufacturers to a larger market. The introduction of all-steel bodies eliminated maintenance of wooden panels, and sales soared. Sedan-type styling made the station wagon look at home in suburban driveways. Imitation wood decals preserved the rural, elitist look of the 1940s.

Suburban families found countless uses for their station wagons: taking children to school, picking up lawn and garden supplies, carrying home project materials, and enjoying day trips and vacations. The station wagon quickly became a symbol of family activity and intimacy in the outdoors. It served as a mobile living room at drive-in theaters, a mobile dining room at drive-in restaurants, and a home on wheels during camping trips.

Nancy Harder, a southern California housewife, drove this car to schools and doctors with her five children. She and her husband George used it extensively. On family outings, the cargo area was filled with picnic baskets, rubber rafts, beach towels, skis, hula hoops, tricycles, radios, and, of course, the family dog. On vacation trips to national parks, this area served as a playpen. When the children were older, they learned to drive this car, and George taught them to wash and polish the exterior and vacuum the upholstery.

After the children were grown, George used the station wagon to commute to work and haul materials for do-it-yourself projects. It also served as a spare car when the children came home from college.

1970s-2000 Global Economy Classroom Activity Guide

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:18:34 GMT

In these classroom activities, developed for the exhibition America on the Move, students will use visual, analytical, and interpretive skills to examine primary sources including a historical map and answer questions about them to learn more about global consumption, production, and transportation and the impact of globalization in their own communities. The activities provide opportunities for historical analysis, interpretation, evaluation, analyzing cause/effect relationships, understanding multiple points of view, performing original research, debating and persuasive writing will help students develop and strengthen map-reading skills and identify issues and problems in the past and connect the past to the present.

A Brief History of Presidential Inaugurations

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:45:14 GMT

This section of the White House Historical Association's website provides a wonderful history of presidential inaugurations. Through the use of historical images and interesting anecdotal information, students will learn how inaugural ceremonies have changed from modest affairs to modern extravaganzas. Also included at the end of the online exhibition is an entertaining trivia quiz that helps students review what has been learned.

A Curator's Tour Through Inaugurations Past

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:53:07 GMT

In this brief video, curators Harry Rubenstein and Larry Bird share key objects from the political history collection representing inaugurations and presidential campaigns dating back to the early 1800s. See how objects are stored and continuity and change in campaign and inaugural materials. Curators Rubenstein and Bird have collected materials at presidential conventions since the 1980s.

A Hero's Gear

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:30:58 GMT

Learn how firefighters' gear help them do their jobs, then imagine your own special gear that would help you help others in your community. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes photographs of a firefighter’s gear in the Museum’s collections, discussion prompts, step-by-step directions, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

A History of the War of 1812 and The Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:54:19 GMT

Using this classroom activity, students will be able to cite the origins and outcome of the War of 1812 and be able to place the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner in a chronological framework. The activity includes a narrative about the war of 1812 and the history of the Star-Spangled Banner, vocabulary, discussion questions and extension activities. It is included in the online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

A Letter From George Washington

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:38:35 GMT

The letter reveals George Washington’s active engagement in shaping the nation during the critical period following the American Revolution. Washington wrote the letter to Dr. David Stuart from Mount Vernon on November 30, 1785. Stuart was both a trusted associate and a member of Washington’s extended family. At the time of the letter Stuart was a member of the Virginia legislature.

A Letter to Abraham Lincoln Homepage

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:26:56 GMT

In this OurStory module, children will read Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, a children's book that tells the story of Grace Bedell and the famous letter that she sent to Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

A Nation of Immigrants: Latino Stories

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:34:27 GMT

Students can read the stories of immigrants from Mexico, Cuba, and other Latin American countries, and view objects related to the journey to America. Students can also learn about the experiences of workers in the in the mid-twentieth century Bracero guest worker program. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

A Puerto Rican Carnival Homepage

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:32:50 GMT

Students will learn more about the carnival traditions of Puerto Rico in this OurStory module. The module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

A Sailor's Life for Me!

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:55:50 GMT

In this activity, students will enlist and experience the life of a young sailor aboard USS CONSTITUTION during the War of 1812. Students will scrub the deck, haul on lines, steer the ship, work the guns, tell tall tales, and perhaps sneak a game of dice during your leisure time. If the player does well, she'll rise through the ranks and eventually captain her own gun crew.

Students can also explore the ship and learn about the daily lives of the 450 sailors who lived and worked in these crowded spaces. Sailors recount their lives in their own words, and vivid, detailed drawings and playful text by world-renowned artist Stephen Biesty and writer Richard Platt let students explore all of USS Constitution's nooks, from the dark hold to the top of the tallest mast and everywhere in between.

A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:45:47 GMT

This online exhibition invites you to look at the history of Puerto Rico through the eyes of the collector who captured the island's history from the 16th to the 20th centuries with the thousands of objects he collected. Students will gain a unique insight into a cultural tradition that continues to play an important role in the growing diversity of the United States.

A Visual Journey: Photographs by Lisa Law 1965-1971

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:09:27 GMT

Lisa Law's photographs provide glimpses into the folk and rock music scenes, California's blossoming counterculture, and the family-centered and spiritual world of commune life in New Mexico. In this online resource, students will examine themes from the 1960's counterculture. At the bottom of each page, students can view a timeline of pivotal events in American history and popular culture from 1963 to 1973.

AbioCor Total Artificial Heart

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:04:52 GMT

AbioCor Total Artificial Heart is the first electro-hydraulic heart implanted in a human. Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical trails, the AbioCor was implanted in Robert Tools by cardiac surgeons Laman Gray and Robert Dowling on July 2, 2001, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. The historic operation marked the first time an artificial was used as a permanent replacement for a human heart since the air-powered Jarvik-7 artificial heart was implanted more than fifteen years before.

The AbioCor is a two-chamber pump designed to perform like a natural human heart. It is powered by batteries, and pumps more than 2.5 gallons of blood a minute to the lungs and then to the rest of the body.

Tools, who suffered from irreversible congestive heart failure, chose to have his diseased heart removed and replaced with the plastic and titanium pump. He lived for five months, well beyond the clinical trial's goal of sixty days.

The development of the AbioCor involved a team of engineers, scientists, and physicians from across the United States. Completely contained within the body, no tubes protrude through the skin, nor is the patient tethered to a noisy bedside console, as with air-powered hearts. Instead the heart is powered by rechargeable batteries and microcomputer technology that regulates the heartbeat according to the patient's activities.

About the Supreme Court

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:37:45 GMT

The United States Government’s official Supreme Court Website is a fantastic resource for both students and teachers. Links to the Constitution can be found on this site, as well as a history of the court, traditions past and present a list of past justices, and profiles of current justices.

About The Teodoro Vidal Collection

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:55:20 GMT

Students can explore the history of Puerto Rico through the eyes of Teodoro Vidal, a man who captured the island's history with the many objects he collected. This online exhibition provides information about the collector, Puerto Rican history, everyday life in historic Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican religions, Carnival, music, and the concept of the Great Puerto Rican Family.

Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life Homepage

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:23:58 GMT

This online exhibition commemorates the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The website covers each major period of Lincoln's private and public life, especially his years in Washington when he made the crucial decisions that ended slavery and preserved the nation. Also included are the artifacts of Lincoln's assassination-his top hat, the prison hoods of the conspirators, and other sobering reminders of this tragic story.

Abraham Lincoln's Patent Model: Improvement for Buoying Vessels Over Shoals

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:17:13 GMT

Abraham Lincoln's interest in canal building, river commerce, and internal improvements not only drew him to the Whig and later Republican Party, but also led him to try his hand at designing a device for raising boats off sand bars. Undertaken while he was a 40-year-old lawyer in Illinois, Lincoln's patent illustrates an idea he had for lessening the draft of a river craft by pushing horizontal floats into the water alongside the hull when near shoal waters. On May 22, 1849, he was granted Patent No. 6469 by the U.S. Patent Office (USPO) in Washington, D.C. This boat model, submitted with the drawings of his idea, is inscribed "Pat./May 22/49/Abram Lincoln" on the surface of the upper deck. According to a Lincoln biographer, the President visited the Patent Office during his presidency (1861–1865) and inspected his model. His considerable talents lay elsewhere, and the idea he patented was never formally applied in the construction of a watercraft.

In early 1997, the original patent drawing submitted in 1846 was discovered in the director's office at the USPO, lacking only the president's autograph in the lower right corner.

This patent model is one of approximately 10,000 acquired by the Smithsonian Institution, mostly from the US Patent Office. Of that number, about 75 are of maritime inventions, including some in the Engineering Collections. The Maritime Collections hold a replica of the Lincoln patent model since the original is too fragile to loan. The NMAH Political History Collections hold a copy of the patent papers associated with this model, as well as a considerable amount of other Lincoln-related materials.

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:27:14 GMT

At six feet four inches tall, Lincoln towered over most of his contemporaries. He chose to stand out even more by wearing high top hats. He acquired this hat from J. Y. Davis, a Washington hat maker. Lincoln had the black silk mourning band added in remembrance of his son Willie. No one knows when he obtained the hat, or how often he wore it. The last time he put it on was to go to Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865.

After Lincoln’s assassination, the War Department preserved his hat and other material left at Ford’s Theatre. With permission from Mary Lincoln, the department gave the hat to the Patent Office, which, in 1867, transferred it to the Smithsonian Institution. Joseph Henry, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, ordered his staff not to exhibit the hat “under any circumstance, and not to mention the matter to any one, on account of there being so much excitement at the time.” It was immediately placed in a basement storage room.

The American public did not see the hat again until 1893, when the Smithsonian lent it to an exhibition hosted by the Lincoln Memorial Association. Today it is one of the Institution’s most treasured objects.

Transfer from the War Department with permission from Mary Lincoln, 1867

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Acoustical Dropping Sticks

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:07:29 GMT

This is a set of eight "dropping sticks" used to teach acoustics. It was made in Paris by the famous scientific instrument maker Rudolph Koenig, sometime between 1858 and 1902. This particular set was used in the introductory physics class of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

These sticks are wood (probably cedar), and although they are all the same length and width, they each have a slight difference in thickness. The different thicknesses make them resonate at a slightly different frequency when tapped or dropped on their ends. They are numbered 1 through 8 and together produce the 8 notes of a musical octave.

Koenig's 1889 Catalogue des Appareils D'Acoustique describes this set as "Eight wooden bars giving the musical scale when thrown in succession upon the floor." They originally sold for 6 francs.

Acoustics, in addition to lending an understanding of the physics of music, was important in the 19th-century science classroom because it demonstrated the property of waves. Waves were an important subject during this time, as they were considered to explain not only sound but heat and light.

Acupuncture Instrument Set

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:06:55 GMT

Acupuncture has gone in and out of fashion over the centuries in both China and the West. Part of a 2,000-year-old system of medicine that originated in China, acupuncture spread across Asia and the world with the migration of Asian peoples. In 2002, there were about 15,000 licensed acupuncturists in the United States.

Despite its continuous currency in Asian cultures, acupuncture did not gain a wide audience in the United States until the 1960s and 1970s...

Adam Stephen's Waistcoat and Gorget

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:10:03 GMT

The Virginia Regiment saw active service in western Pennsylvania from 1754 to 1759. In 1755, the officers of the Virginia Regiment received orders from Washington to provide themselves with a suit of regimentals of good blue cloth. The coat was to be faced and cuffed in scarlet and trimmed with silver, and they were to wear blue wool breeches and a scarlet wool waistcoat with silver lace. The waistcoat, which extended to below the hips, was typically worn over a plain shirt.

Admiral Dewey Banner

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:08:05 GMT

Blue, white, and red banner with an image of Admiral Dewey in center of white stripe, surrounded by laurels. “Admiral Dewey” in banner among the laurels, American flag, and a navy fleet admiral’s flag. “The Hero” in top blue stripe. “Of Manila” in bottom red stripe.

Admiral George Dewey commanded the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Squadron based in Hong Kong in 1898 when the United States declared war on Spain. Ordered to sail to Manila and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet there, he engaged the Spanish in Manila Bay on the morning of May 1 and completely destroyed it by noon, without a single loss of American life. The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War. The complete rout ended any threat from the Spanish naval forces. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage to American forces. The battle is perhaps best known as the occasion when Dewey uttered one of the most famous statements in American naval history: “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.” Captain Charles Gridley was the commander of the USS Olympia.

Admiral Dewey's Chapeau Bras

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:08:15 GMT

Physical Description
Black felt, grosgrain ribbon, ostrich feathers, and gold cockade, which is a ribbon rose or knot.

Specific History
Admiral Dewey is often pictured wearing his chapeau bras.

General History
A chapeau bras is a type of hat made to be compressed and carried under the arm without injury. It translates literally as “hat arm.” Such hats were a popular style worn on dress occasions by gentlemen in the 18th century. Admiral (the Commodore) George Dewey was in command of the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Squadron based in Hong Kong in 1898 when the United States declared war on Spain. Commanded to sail to Manila and capture or destroy the Spanish fleet based there, he engaged the fleet in Manila Bay early May 1 and completely destroyed it by noon, without a single loss of American life. The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War. The complete and final victory ended any threat from the Spanish naval forces. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage occurring to the American Forces. The battle is perhaps best known as the occasion when Dewey uttered one of the most famous statements in American naval history: “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.” Captain Charles Gridley was commander of the USS Olympia.

Agriculture in the Classroom

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:26:41 GMT

This website is coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture. Its stated goal is to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society, so that they may become citizens who support wise agricultural policies in America. The program is carried out in each state, according to state needs and interests, by individuals representing farm organizations, agribusiness, education and government. The site contains resources for students of all grade levels, parents, and teachers.

AIDS Memorial Quilt

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:55:51 GMT

This panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt honors activist Roger Lyon, who died of AIDS in 1984. Shortly before his death, Lyon testified before Congress to appeal for funding to combat the growing epidemic.

One of the greatest challenges in the fight against AIDS was changing public attitudes toward the disease and its victims, who were predominantly homosexual men. To awaken a seemingly uncaring nation to the magnitude of the crisis, activists created the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Through its thousands of panels, each with a personal story, the quilt has served as a call for compassion, education, and action.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

All Aboard the Train

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:46:24 GMT

Railroads have moved people and cargo around America for more than 180 years. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the history of trains in America. Focused on actively reading Jingle the Brass, a historical fiction picture book about a ride on a steam locomotive, this module also includes links to a hands-on activity, field trip, and object-based learning experience.

All Hands on Deck! Learning Adventures Aboard the USS Constitution

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:56:38 GMT

In this thematic unit, students will use USS CONSTITUTION as a vehicle to explore a wide range of disciplines including language arts, reading, math, science, art, and social studies. The content scope of the curriculum is wide and varied. Skills covered in the unit include critical thinking, making tables and diagrams, solving math problems and writing essays and poems. Life skills that stress the value of cooperation, persistence, creativity and ingenuity are also included.

All the President's Children

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:41:52 GMT

In this activity, students will match clues with images of children who lived in the White House in order to learn about their lives as they lived in the presidential mansion. As part of the online exhibition, The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, this activity will help students understand more about the Presidency and life in the White House.

Ambrotype of Mea-to-sa-bi-tchi-a, or Smutty Bear

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:58:59 GMT

This ambrotype portrait of Mea-to-sa-bi-tchi-a, or Smutty Bear, a Yankton Dakota, is among the first photographic images of Native Americans. Smutty Bear was part of a large Native American delegation that came to Washington, D.C., during the winter of 1857–58. Under duress, members of the delegation signed a treaty that greatly reduced their lands in return for promises of money and provisions that were never fulfilled. This prompted the Sioux Revolt of 1862, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of settlers and the mass hangings of 38 Native Americans. This photograph is one of a series a of portrait daguerreotypes made of Native American chiefs while they crossed the country to meet with US Government officials in Washington, D.C. When passing through St. Louis, Missouri, these chiefs were photographed by Thomas Easterly and John Fitzgibbons.

The ambrotype process, most popular in the mid-1850s, is a wet-plate collodion emulsion on glass. These images were then placed in cases with a dark lining for best viewing.

America on the Move Homepage

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:12:13 GMT

This online exhibition explores the role of transportation in American history. Students will learn about communities wrestling with the changes that new transportation networks brought; how cities change, suburbs expand, and farms and factories become part of regional, national and international economies; and hear the stories of people who travel for work and pleasure, and move to new homes. This online exhibition also includes an interactive collection search, thematic essays by museum staff and guest curators, interactive games and learning resources for the classroom and home.

The website includes the following subsections: Transportation in America before 1876; Community Dreams (Santa Craz, California); Delivering the Goods (Watsonville, California); A Streetcar City (Washington, D.C.); People on the Move; the Connected City (New York, New York); Crossing the Country; Americans Adopt the Auto; Lives on the Railroad (Salisbury, North Carolina); The People's Highway: Route 66; Roadside Communities (Ring's Rest, Muirkirk, Maryland); Family Camping (York Beach, Maine); On the School Bus (Martinsburg, Indiana); Suburban Strip (Sandy Boulevard, Portland, Oregon); City and Suburb (Chicago and Park Forest, Illinois); On the Interstate (I-10); Transforming the Waterfront (San Francisco, California and Oakland, California); and Going Global (Los Angeles, California)

American Eagle Pop-Up

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:09:10 GMT

Make your own American eagle pop-up and review symbols with students using this resource, developed by the Smithsonian Institution Libraries for the exhibition Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop, and Turn.

American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:13:36 GMT

The resources American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving, Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth from the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian examine the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for American Indians through the themes of environment, community, encounters, and innovations and provide information on the history of the Wampanoag people and the ceremony that inspired our Thanksgiving celebrations.

American Long Rifle

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:16:28 GMT

This early example of the American long rifle reflects its Germanic origins. It has a wooden patchbox, for storing patches to load and clean with; a flared muzzle and thick shoulder stock which are like that of the German Jaeger rifle.

American Memory

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:06:35 GMT

American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. It is a digital record of American history and creativity. These materials, from the collections of the Library of Congress and other institutions, chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America, serving the public as a resource for education and lifelong learning.

American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 10-12)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:59:49 GMT

Studying the presidency offers students a new way to explore the democratic political process and to expand their understanding of how this process has shaped the nation's history and continues to influence their own lives. What does it mean to be the president of the United States of America? What is the relationship of the presidency to the American people? The activities included in this section, many of which are based on primary sources, are designed to supplement your American history curriculum and to challenge students to tackle sophisticated questions and issues.

This package of lessons addresses campaigns and elections, roles and responsibilities, limits of power, assassination and mourning, and communicating the presidency. Each topic includes teacher background information and student activities, while some topics also include supporting primary sources.

American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 4-6)

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:46:10 GMT

Studying the presidency offers students a new way to explore American history. What does it mean to be the president of the United States of America? What is the relationship of the presidency to the American people? Using artifacts and documents, students can begin to uncover this uniquely American experience.

This package of lessons address campaigning, inauguration, the roles of the president, life in the White House, and assassination and mourning. Each topic includes teacher background information and student activities, while some topics also include supporting primary sources.

American Presidency Lesson Plans (Grades 7-9)

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:01:19 GMT

Studying the American presidency offers students an unparalleled opportunity to explore the democratic political process and to deepen their understanding of how this process fits into the whole of American history. While learning about subjects as diverse as campaigns, the media, and presidential roles and responsibilities, students will sharpen their analytical skills and broaden their historical knowledge.

This package of lessons addresses campaigns and elections, roles and responsibilities, life in the white house and after the presidency, assassination and mourning, and communicating the presidency. Each topic includes teacher background information and student activities, while some topics also include supporting primary sources.

American Presidents: Life Portraits

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:15:39 GMT

This website was originally designed to complement C-SPAN's 20th Anniversary Television Series, American Presidents: Life Portraits, which debuted in 1999. The American Presidents website, created for the television series, contains a complete video archive of the series, additional resources of biographical facts, key events of each presidency, presidential birthplaces, libraries, and gravesites, as well as reference material. The site is a great starting point for students researching a specific president.

American Racing: A Diversity of Innovation

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:13:12 GMT

Students can learn the century-long history of grass-roots invention in American automobile racing. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

American Railroads in the 20th Century

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:50:12 GMT

Students can learn more about American railroads during the 20th century. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

American Stories

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:31:34 GMT

This online exhibition features approximately 100 objects from the Museum's collections to tell stories from the earliest days of America's colonial history through the 2008 presidential election. Each object is used as the starting point for a larger story about American history. The exhibition includes brief labels, large images, and an area for people to nominate objects from their own stories that would fill a gap in the exhibition.

The objects in the exhibition address a variety of themes from American history, including politics, popular culture, art, military history, and home life. They help tell the stories of famous Americans (including Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Apollo Anton Ohno) and anonymous everyday children, men, and women.

American-Made Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:00:14 GMT

During the Revolutionary War, many gunmakers were forced to cannibalize parts from guns manufactured in various foreign countries. These guns, referred to as composites, contained disparate parts and are therefore difficult to date with any degree of accuracy.

Americans at War Collection Search

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:07:40 GMT

Students can use this online collection search to explore hundreds of artifacts related to America's military history. The objects are part of an online exhibition, The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.

Americans at War Learning Resources

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:08:17 GMT

This collection of learning resources was developed in conjunction with the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Teacher's Manual. Included in this set of materials is "Who Am I? A History Mystery", an interactive game in which students select a mystery character from the Civil War and examine objects that hold the key to their identity, video footage, first person reenactments, oral history interviews, and lesson plans.

America's New Birth of Freedom: Documents from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:02:05 GMT

Through the use of downloadable images of the original documents and 4 brief videos using Lincoln's words to answer questions about the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, students will learn how Abraham Lincoln struggled with the same questions that many Americans had about the causes and costs of the bloodiest struggle in American history. This online exhibition features a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and 10 letters expressing Lincoln's views on emancipation and the conclusion of the Civil War.

America's Story

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:14:54 GMT

This website, from the Library of Congress, was designed especially with young people in mind, but there are great stories and information for people of all ages. Through the use of short essays, biographies, interactive games and activities, students can explore every era of American history and learn interesting facts about all 50 states. This is a wonderful resource for any teacher of American history and geography.

America's Voting Patchwork

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:27:33 GMT

Because the Constitution gives the states the job of running elections, voting in the United States has developed into a patchwork of manual, mechanical, and electronic balloting. A variety of voting methods over the course of American history are addressed in this section of the online exhibition Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Also discussed are the purposes and functions of the Electoral College and the US Electoral Commission.

An American Story in Dance and Music Homepage

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:04 GMT

In 1943, Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi created Appalachian Spring, a ballet that told the story of an American pioneer community. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring this history through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Ballet for Martha an award-winning work of children's literature about the collaboration of three artists to create an American masterpiece, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

An Army for the Nation, 1866-1914

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:09:17 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will learn how West Point graduates influenced the development of the United States both domestically and abroad between the Civil War and the beginning of the Twentieth Century. After the Civil War, the United States Army was kept small in size while its main responsibilities were fighting Indians in the West, maintaining order in labor disputes and performing ceremonial functions. In the late 1800s, West Point graduates played important roles in the Spanish-American and Philippine Wars and were vital to the success of engineering projects such as the building of the Panama Canal and the reshaping of Washington, D.C. An Army for the Nation is part of the online exhibition, West Point in the Making of America.

Analyze a Naturalization Oral History

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:07:37 GMT

Use this teacher guide and student worksheet to analyze a small collection of naturalization interviews from the Museum’s YouTube channel. By analyzing the oral histories, students will improve their primary source investigation skills and gain deeper understanding of the motivations for and process of naturalization.

This resource complements the site Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship, a learning portal for individuals studying for the naturalization exam.

Andrew Jackson's Sword and Scabbard

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:34:24 GMT

Andrew Jackson carried this sword and scabbard while commanding the American forces, which included Tennessee militia, U.S. regulars, and Cherokee, Choctaw, and Southern Creek Indians during the Creek War in the War of 1812.

Andrew Jackson's Uniform Coat

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:06:05 GMT

Blue wool uniform coat, gold-colored buttons on jacket front and sleeves. Epaulettes and gold trim at neck and cuffs.

This coat adheres to the 1813 uniform regulations; single-breasted, of dark blue wool, four buttons placed lengthwise on the sleeves and skirts. A gold star is embroidered on each turnback; gold embroidery adorns the collar and cuffs. Epaulets are bullion and gold lace with cloth strap and gold lace, mounted on board.

Andrew Jackson wore this uniform coat at the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815; it was also worn by Jackson when he sat for his portrait by artist Ralph E. W. Early, about 1815. Jackson's uniform coat was presented to the National Institution in 1845 by General Thomas H. Bradley on behalf of the citizens of the State of Tennessee. General Bradley requested that the coat be placed "by the side of the one worn by the father of our common country, General George Washington." In 1883, both coats and other artifacts held at the National Institution were transferred to the National Museum.

General Jackson's plans to defend New Orleans were almost thwarted by the British capture of five American gunboats in Lake Borgne in December 1814. In the next major battle during the night of December 23rd, United States and British forces fought on land on the Villeré and adjacent plantations below the city, ending in a stalemate that threw the British off balance and battered their morale.

On December 24, in the city of Ghent, Belgium, the United States and British commissioners met to sign a peace treaty to end the War of 1812. Even as they were meeting, the battle raged on around New Orleans. A major American victory came on New Year's Day, with British casualties outnumbering those on the United States side by more than two to one.

On January 8, 1815, a date marked as the official victory over Britain, two British generals were killed in battle, with a third severely wounded. Britain suffered over 2,000 casualties in the decisive battle, whereas Jackson lost only 71 men. The British forces withdrew, sailing out to sea for good.

Measurements: overall: 44 x 12 in.; 111.76 x 30.48 cm Date Made: ca 1813

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:15:43 GMT

Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is a non-profit organization whose primary goals are to lead the effort to preserve, restore and interpret Angel Island Immigration Station, a National Historic Landmark, as the Pacific gateway for U.S. immigration; and to promote educational activities that further the understanding of Pacific Rim immigration in American history.

Apple "Classic" Macintosh Personal Computer

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:41:46 GMT

The Apple Macintosh introduced a graphic user interface (GUI) to the Apple line of computers. The idea had originated at Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center in the 1970s, but Xerox was slow to commercialize it. Apple proved far more successful when it introduced the Macintosh in January 1984, with a splashy television advertisement during the Superbowl. The original price was around $2,500.

Instead of typing out names of programs on command lines, users with a GUI could click "icons," or pictures that represented the programs they wanted to run. They could also execute functions like saving, moving, or deleting files by clicking and dragging the icons around the screen with a pointing device called a mouse. Apple's version of the mouse had a single button, which became an Apple standard. The first Macintosh had only 128K RAM, and users quickly found this insufficient. The Macintosh 512 KB, nicknamed "Fat Mac," was introduced in September 1984. It gave users four times as much memory, and allowed them to keep several major programs open simultaneously. The vertical processor case and 9" monochrome screen were distinguishing features of all the early Macintosh line.

The Macintosh 512 KB contained a Motorola 68000 microprocessor which ran at 8 MHz. It contained 512 KB of RAM and 64 KB of ROM and initially had a 400 KB Floppy disk drive. Applications included MacWrite, a word processor, and MacPaint, a drawing program that turned the mouse into a paintbrush. Shortly after the 512 KB appeared, Apple also introduced a LaserWriter printer, which enabled desktop publishing for individuals and small businesses. Over time, Apple computers would appeal most strongly to artists and designers, while the IBM/DOS line of computers sold better in business markets.

After selling hundreds of thousands of units, Apple discontinued the "Mac Classic" line of computers in April 1986. The Apple Macintosh introduced a graphic user interface (GUI) to the Apple line of computers.

Apple II Personal Computer

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:42:12 GMT

In 1976, computer pioneers Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs began selling their Apple I computer in kit form to computer stores. A month later, Wozniak was working on a design for an improved version, the Apple II. They demonstrated a prototype in December, and then introduced it to the public in April 1977. The Apple II started the boom in personal computer sales in the late 1970s, and pushed Apple into the lead among personal computer makers.

The Apple II used a MOS 6502 chip for its central processing unit. It came with 4 KB RAM, but could be extended up to 48 KB RAM. It included a BASIC interpreter and could support graphics and a color monitor. External storage was originally on cassette tape, but later Apple introduced an external floppy disk drive. Among the Apple II's most important features were its 8 expansion slots on the motherboard. These allowed hobbyists to add additional cards made by Apple and many other vendors who quickly sprung up. The boards included floppy disk controllers, SCSI cards, video cards, and CP/M or PASCAL emulator cards.

In 1979 Software Arts introduced the first computer spreadsheet, Visicalc for the Apple II. This "killer application" was extremely popular and fostered extensive sales of the Apple II.

The Apple II went through several improvements and upgrades. By 1984, when the Macintosh appeared, over 2 million Apple II computers had been sold.

Arthur Ashe's Tennis Racquet

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:09:40 GMT

Arthur Ashe (1943-1993) bought this Head tennis racket in 1975 and used it in competitions including Wimbledon and the Davis Cup. When he began his career in 1955, he was challenged by racial prejudice. But the young man from Richmond. Virginia, broke down these barriers, becoming a Grand Slam tournament winner and the U.S. Davis Cup team captain. Ashe's premature death from complications caused by AIDS, contracted through a blood transfusion, helped to educate the public about the disease's threat.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Artificial Anatomy Homepage

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:38:33 GMT

This exhibit showcases two major themes: the history and use of papier-mâché anatomical models and their construction, conservation and preservation, using the Museum's collection of papier-mâché anatomical models. The exhibition also includes an interactive game named "Body Parts" and a searchable database of the museum's anatomical model collection.

Artificial Anatomy: Body Parts

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:11:32 GMT

Students learn anatomy by matching images of body parts to their location on Jerome, a papier-mâché anatomical model. It is part of the online exhibition entitled Artificial Anatomy: Papier-Mâché Anatomical Models.

Artificial Anatomy: Collection

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:05:43 GMT

Students will explore an online Artificial Anatomy collection, containing over 30 papier-mâché anatomical models of humans, animals and plants.

Artificial Anatomy: History

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:12:46 GMT

Students will explore the history of papier-mâché anatomy, comparative anatomy, and methods of learning anatomy in the 20th century in this online exhibition.

Artificial Anatomy: Preservation

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:29:58 GMT

Students will learn the methods of preservation used in restoring the papier-mâché artificial anatomy collection. The exhibition covers the necessity for preservation, the examination methods used, as well as preservation techniques. This exhibition is also helpful for those students who are interested in the study of anatomy.

Artificial Anatomy: Resources

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:29:58 GMT

Bibliographic material, web links, and Museum collections relating to the online exhibition entitled Artificial Anatomy: Papier-Mâché Anatomical Models.

Asian American Curriculum Project

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:18:27 GMT

The mission of the Asian American Curriculum Project is to educate the public about the great diversity of the Asian American experience by distributing books that foster cultural awareness and to educate Asian Americans about their own heritage. AACP believes that the knowledge which comes from the use of appropriate materials can accomplish these goals. The books and other materials are for all age groups, all levels of education and all Asian ethnic groups; including and not limited to Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Samoan, Tongan, Thai, & Vietnamese Americans and Hawaiians. Materials include literature, folk tales, posters, magazine, tapes on language and music, games, activities, teacher guides, dictionaries, bilingual materials and reference books on history, social issues and education.

Asian American Studies Center, UCLA

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:17:38 GMT

Since its founding in 1969, the UCLA Asian American Studies Center has documented, analyzed, and forecasted the contemporary, historical, and future experiences and concerns of people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in the United States through an array of scholarly, policy-oriented, applied, and creative forms of inquiry. It fulfills this mission through sponsored research projects; the development of affiliated research institutes; support for individual faculty members; collaborative research and creative projects with campus and community organizations, museums, and leaders; publications and other media; archival and data-collection activities; and the training of new scholars, policy analysts, and creative artists.

Association of American Railroads

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:28:22 GMT

The AAR Website promotes the utilization of freight rail as a viable, eco-friendly, alternative to trucks when hauling freight across the United States, and all of North America. AAR members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak, and are based in Washington, DC.

Association of Midwest Museums

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:43:50 GMT

The Association of Midwest Museums was founded in 1927. It is a non-profit membership organization that provides resources to museums and cultural institutions and services to museum professionals in an eight-state region in the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Through its programs and activities, AMM encourages professional standards for all areas of museum administration and provides cutting-edge information and resources to museums and cultural institutions in the Midwest and the greater museum community.

Astrolabe

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:18:05 GMT

The astrolabe is an astronomical calculating device used from ancient times into the eighteenth century. Measuring the height of a star using the back of the instrument, and knowing the latitude, one could find the time of night and the position of other stars. The openwork piece on the front, called the rete, is a star map of the northern sky. Pointers on the rete correspond to stars; the outermost circle is the Tropic of Capricorn, and the circle that is off-center represents the zodiac, the apparent annual motion of the sun. Engraved plates that fit below the rete have scales of altitude and azimuth (arc of the horizon) for specific latitudes. This brass astrolabe has four plates; one may well be a replacement. It was made in Nuremberg by Georg Hartman in 1537. An inscription on the inside of the instrument states that it once belonged to the Italian mathematician and astronomer Galileo Galilei (1564-1642).

Autobiography Through Objects

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:26:08 GMT

Students will analyze images and objects relating to Celia Cruz then create an autobiographical exhibition using personal objects. This lesson is a resource included in the online exhibition entitled ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.

B.F. Skinner's Nose Cone of a Pigeon-Guided Missile

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:15:37 GMT

During World War II, the U.S. military needed to find accurate ways to guide missiles to their targets. Harvard University psychologist B. F. Skinner suggested that a missile nose cone be supplied with three compartments, each with a window. A pigeon would be placed in each section, and trained to peck on the window when the target appeared. If all three pigeons pecked, the weapon would be released. This prototype was never developed, but influenced later work on animal training.

Banished: Louisa Susannah Wells, Loyalist Woman

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:20:34 GMT

Louisa Susannah Wells was a female colonist who was loyal to King George III, who was banished from America and returned to England after the War of Independence. Listen to a dramatic reading of her narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Life at Sea: 1680 to 1806,” which includes five perspectives on maritime life in the colonial period and early America.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Barbie Dressed as La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:25:27 GMT

This Barbie doll is costumed and accessorized as a representation of The Virgin of Caridad del Cobre, Patron Saint of Cuba. The doll wears the ornate blue and gold robe characteristic of the Virgin in other depictions in religious cards, carvings, and statues. The figure has a crown and is holding a baby (Barbie's brother doll), representing the image of Jesus, and an orb and a crucifix. The doll is mounted on a plaster base. Below the doll is a paper boat on painted cloth to represent the sea, with three doll figures on the boat that represent the fishermen lost at sea that the Virgin saves. Three angels are suspended above the boat. Mixed materials including glass, fabric, plastic, gold braid, plaster, paper, paint, and synthetic jewels. Made by Armando Pérez, a man of Cuban descent, living in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, at the time he sold this doll to the Smithsonian.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Baseball Catcher's Mask

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:47:44 GMT

Steve Richard Nicosia (b. 1955) played for eight seasons on four different teams, ending his career in 1985. As a rookie, Nicosia used this catcher's mask when he caught during Game Seven of the 1979 World Series. Later in his career, he set a San Francisco Giants record with eight consecutive hits in 1984.

Basketball Jersey

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:11:22 GMT

During his thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics, Bob Cousy (b. 1928) played in thirteen consecutive All-Star Games and earned two All–Star MVP awards, among many other accolades. This “Houdini of the Hardwood” introduced speed and flamboyant ball-handling skills previously unseen in professional basketball. His ambidexterity launched the playing style that made him one of basketball's first superstars. Making the game fun to watch, “The Cooz” built an avid audience for the struggling National Basketball Association.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Battle of Antietam Lithograph

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:53:48 GMT

General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North culminated in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

Battle of Gettysburg Lithograph

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:54:07 GMT

The Battle of Gettysburg was a critical turning point in the American Civil War. During the first three days of July 1863, over 172,000 men and 634 cannons were positioned in an area encompassing 25 square miles.

Battle of the Bulge: Americans Respond to a German Surprise

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:44:11 GMT

Use a video clip and primary sources to develop an understanding of the challenges facing the ground troops during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, then take on the role of one of those soldiers and write a letter home. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Battle Rattle

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:54:36 GMT

Civil War battle rattle used on smaller ships to call all hands to battle stations.

Be a Hydroponic Gardener

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:37:21 GMT

Believe it or not, some plants can grow without soil. This type of gardening is called hydroponics. Here's how you can get started growing green. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Be a Movie Director

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 09:44:17 GMT

In this interactive game, students develop research skills and explore the Museum's collections as they create a movie using images from an online image database. This interactive is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Beauty All Around You

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:42:47 GMT

Discover the beauty in nature in your neighborhood or a local botanical garden in this activity related to First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson and her work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. This activity guide includes tips for finding local botanical gardens, suggestions of activities to do while exploring the botanical garden or neighborhood, and background information on Lady Bird's environmental activism. This activity is a part of the OurStory module called First Lady for the Environment.

OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Become a Collector

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:52:09 GMT

Students will learn how to start their own collection after reading about Teodoro Vidal, a man who collected objects from Puerto Rico in this OurStory activity. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Becoming Aware of the Japanese American Internment Camp Experience

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:04:43 GMT

This lesson will help students become aware of, and sensitive to, the Japanese American internment camp experience. By creating a list of things that are important and familiar to them and then choosing what they will take and leave behind, students will develop a sense of empathy by simulating situations which Japanese American children faced. This lesson accompanies in the online exhibition A More Perfect Union, which focuses on the experiences of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II.

Behind the Designs

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:14:36 GMT

In this lesson, students will answer the question, "What makes a good magazine cover design?" Students will examine cover designs used by House and Garden, Children's Playmate, Life, Steel Horizons, and Ladies' Home Journal and compare the artistic and design philosophies behind them. This activity is part of the online exhibition entitled July 1942: United We Stand.

Belt Revolver

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:58:25 GMT

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed the two states to decide the issue of slavery by a popular ballot. The fight in Kansas was so intense that the state earned the nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” John Brown bought 2,000 of these revolvers and sent them to Kansas for the “Free-Soilers.”

Benjamin Lincoln's Sword

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:00:59 GMT

General Charles Conrwallis was so mortified by his defeat that he dispatched his second-in-command, Brigadier General Charles O'Hara, to surrender his forces. When O'Hara offered Cornwallis's sword to George Washington, Washington, in keeping with the rigid hierarchies of military protocol, asked his second-in-command, Major General Benjamin Lincoln, to accept it.

During the surrender ceremonies on the afternoon of October 19, 1781, British Brigadier General Charles O'Hara led a column of British troops out of Yorktown. He surrendered to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who then directed British troops to lay down their weapons.

Ben's Guide to US Government for Kids

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:45:15 GMT

This website, from the U.S. Government Printing Office, offers students explanations of America's founding documents, descriptions of the functions of each branch of American government, an outline of the American lawmaking process, and interactive games relating to American government and politics. Educators are given the choice to select from four different grade ranges, ensuring that students receive readings and activities that are targeted to their abilities.

Berdan Sharpshooter Uniform

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:06:59 GMT

Uniform and hat of soldiers of the 1st Regiment of U.S. Sharpshooters, better known as Berdan's Sharpshooters. Mustered in 1861, this unit was commanded by Colonel Hiram Berdan.

Bilingual Catechism

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:13:34 GMT

A catechism is a text used to instruct young people and new converts about Christian beliefs. This Catholic catechism was printed in Mexico in 1758 in Spanish and Náhuatl, a language spoken and written by many indigenous people in central Mexico into the early 1800s. The conquest and colonization of the vast territories of Mexico was a long and incomplete process that depended on missionaries as well as soldiers. The destruction of Mexican temples, books, and religious institutions was the first step in Spain's attempt to reordering native societies. Promoting specifically Christian ceremonies like baptism, which imposed new Spanish names, and the sacrament of marriage, which forbid common Mexican practices like polygamy and divorce, were essential steps in acculturating the native population to Spanish social norms. Many early missionaries acted with genuine concern for the spiritual salvation and physical well-being of indigenous communities. However, Spain's more driving concerns were military domination and wealth from mines and agriculture. Its evangelization efforts were used as the ultimate justification for its conquest and rule over indigenous peoples across the Americas.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Biotechnology at the Cutting Edge

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:54:27 GMT

Get an introduction to some of today’s top researchers and the basics of biotechnology, biofuel, genetics, health, and agriculture. This video features interviews with four leading scientists in biotechnology who tell us what drew them to the field: Dr. Pardis Sabeti, Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University; Dr. Jay Keasling, Chief Executive Officer, Joint BioEnergy Institute, U.S. Department of Energy; Dr. Karen Nelson, Director, Rockville, Maryland, Campus of the J. Craig Venter Institute; Dr. Robert Fraley, Executive VP and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto Company

Bishop Museum

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:06:59 GMT

Bishop Museum is the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific and is recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. As the largest museum in the state, Bishop Museum hosts over 500,000 visitors each year who experience over 2,000 years of history and cultural heritage, from early Polynesian migration and settlement to space exploration.

Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program 1942-1964

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:50:03 GMT

This website will help students learn about the bracero program, in which an estimated two million Mexican men came to the United States on short-term labor contracts. The experiences of these men are brought to life through photographs and quotes from oral history interviews. In 1942, facing labor shortages caused by World War II, the United States initiated a series of agreements with Mexico to recruit Mexican men to work on U.S. farms and railroads. This online exhibition is presented in English and Spanish.

Blackberry Model R900M

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:34:45 GMT

The Blackberry is a handheld wireless Personal Data Assistant (PDA) and communication device. It has a thumb keyboard and a wheel for navigation, as opposed to using a stylus like its competitors. This unit was owned by a law firm partner who arrived at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, just minutes after the first tower was hit. Using this Blackberry, he stayed in constant communication with his staff all day until he had located everyone.

Blog Post: A Brief History of AZT

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:59:28 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the first approved HIV/AIDS drug, AZT (also called Zidovudine (ZVD) and Retrovir). The drug is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor. This type of medicine stops the reproduction of DNA and reduces the amount of the virus in the blood (the viral load). This post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: A Civil War Veteran at the Crossroads

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:33:08 GMT

In this post, students will learn about George Westinghouse, Sr. during his Civil War service, before he became a pioneer of the electrical industry. A transcript of the letter is availalbe for download. Written by Hal Wallace, Associate Curator of Electricity Collections, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: A Closer Look at a Civil War Watch

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:32:42 GMT

In this post, students will learn how the Civil War impacted the development of the watch-making industry in the United States by studying one particular watch in the collection. Written by Carlene Stephens, Curator for the Division of Work and Industry, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: A Secret Message Inside Lincoln's Watch?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:43:10 GMT

In this post, students will learn about an inscription hidden inside President Abraham Lincoln's watch that was a secret until the Museum investigated further in 2009. The message was put there by watchmaker Jonathan Dillon, who was repairing Lincoln's watch when the first shots were fired on Fort Sumter in 1861. His reaction to the firing on Fort Sumter adds a fascinating layer to our historical knowledge about the watch in our collection. More than that, Dillon’s secret message—now revealed—is a reminder of the many rich histories so many of us keep in our families, connecting us in a deep and personal sense with the strange inner workings of the past. Written by Dana Allen-Griel, New Media Project Manager, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Alice Paul: Champion of Woman Suffrage

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:08:43 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Alice Paul, a suffragist who was jailed while working to get the vote for women. During her graduate studies in England, Paul became exposed to the confrontational tactics of the English "suffragettes," and when she returned to the United States she adapted their tactics. For seven years she kept the demand for woman suffrage squarely in the public and presidential eyes in demonstrations that eventually escalated to picketing the White House and burning President Wilson's speeches. When her tactics became too radical for the National American Woman Suffrage Association, she formed the National Woman's Party and continued on. Written by Lisa Kathleen Graddy, curator of women's political history, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: American History Told Through Squash

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:57:14 GMT

Explore the role of squash in early American history, beyond its common use as fall decor. As a natively grown vegetable cultivated by the Wampanoag Indians, squash holds a special place in American history. There are dozens of squash varieties, ranging in shape, size, and color. Squash have a long relationship with human civilization, with seeds dating back 12,000 years ago found in Ecuadorian caves.

Blog Post: Americans Experience Mexico, circa 1890-1945

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:54:45 GMT

In this blog post, students will learn some of the ways in which Americans learned about Mexico from some examples in the Archives Center's collections. In the years prior to World War II, most Americans had limited first-hand experience of Mexico. Mexico primarily was known as a place for American financial investment and as a land of frequent political turmoil. Written Craig Orr, Aquistions Archivist at the Archives Center, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: An Unheralded Battle in the War Against Segregation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:38:47 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Almera Anderson Romney, a California teacher, and her efforts to correct the inequity of the substandard condition of most aspects of the school. As a teacher and principal, she introduced innovative educational strategies, recruited a top-notch and diverse staff, raised student performance, and built a relationship of trust and mutual admiration with the community that lasted until her death. All this was accomplished against the background of the burgeoning civil rights movement and with significant opposition from the patriarchy that governed the town and its schools. Written about his grandmother by Matt MacArthur, Director of New Media, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Audie Murphy: World War II Hero

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:36:47 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Audie Murphy by answering the question, "What was it about Audie Murphy that impelled him to become a hero?" Murphy was the most highly decorated World War II soldier, and upon his return to civilian life, he was an instant celebrity. He parlayed his newfound fame into a movie career, starring in The Red Badge of Courage and To Hell and Back. In the latter, based on Murphy’s autobiography of his experiences in World War II, Murphy starred as himself.

Blog Post: Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:57:50 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Celia Cruz's life, music, and impact on Caribbean and Latino immigrants in America. In a career that spanned six decades and took her from Cuba to the United States, Cruz became known around the world for her piercing and powerful voice and larger-than-life personality and stage costumes. Written by Melinda Machado, Director of the Office of Public Affairs, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Civil War Portraits

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:22:32 GMT

In this post, students will learn how photographs shaped the public’s knowledge and experience of the Civil War, and how people shaped photographs to leave a legacy of how they personally experienced and understood the war. Written by Shannon Perich, Associate Curator for the Photographic History Collection, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Collecting September 11: One Curator's Story

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:41:10 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the work the Museum is doing to preserve the history from September 11, 2001. Students will hear an insider's perspective on the decision-making process, and discover what it's like to sort and collect important objects that will help tell the story for generations to come. Written by Peter Liebhold, Chair and Curator of the Division of Work and Industry, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Collecting the Presidential Campaigns

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:56:38 GMT

In this post, students will learn how political history curators collect campaign memorabilia Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Since the late 1980s, they have collected more than 150,000 objects. In this video, the curators give a “show and tell” of some of the artifacts they collected from the 2008 campaigns. This post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Eco-cities on the Horizon

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:40:59 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the concept of eco-cities (cities designed to be in balance with nature) and their impact on the sustainability movement. Written by Art Molella, Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Director of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Electric Cars: 100 Years Ago and Today

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:31:58 GMT

In this post, students will discover the history of electric car technology over the course of the last century. In the early 20th century, motorists had a choice of electric, steam, or gasoline cars, and it wasn’t clear that any one type would dominate the market. Electricity was beginning to power home appliances, lights, and streetcars, so it seemed natural to put electric motors and batteries in carriages. Electric vehicles were clean, quiet, and comfortable, but most car buyers in the 1910s and 1920s chose gasoline cars, which had much longer range between fill-ups. Written by Roger White, Associate Curator for Road Transportation with the Division of Work and Industry, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Essential Questions for Teaching September 11

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:41:38 GMT

This post helps teachers understand how to both memorialize September 11 and contextualize the history of the day through five essential questions. Targeted toward secondary students, the questions can help teachers and students compare aspects of September 11 to other events in American history and teach them throughout the year. Written by Joan Brodsky Schur, a panelist for the Smithsonian’s September 11: Teaching Contemporary History forum, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Finding the Civil War in Washington, DC

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:43:40 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Washington during the Civil War. During the war, Washington’s busy wharves were the focal point for moving people and supplies into and out of the city. Here the wounded from the Virginia battlefields were off-loaded from steamboats to await transport to the city’s many hospitals. Written by Diane Wendt, Associate Curator in the Division of Medicine and Science, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Food Culture, Supermarkets, and Packaging

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:50:42 GMT

In this post, students will learn how packaging—and the unspoken dialogue between consumers and producers—is one way to understand the connection between supermarkets and food consumption habits in the United States. Package colors, materials, and other design elements of food products are very deliberate. Much like advertising, packaging appeals to our emotions and directs our attention to specific product features, like health claims or a free toy, while distracting attention from other details, like small serving sizes or questionable ingredients.

Blog Post: Forgotten Early Sound Recordings Given a Voice

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:20:35 GMT

In this post, students will learn about early recording history and hear recordings recovered from 1880s records. The recovered recordings are the Volta Laboratory Associates’ early experiments at recording and even reproducing live sound. These recordings were made in Washington, D.C., by Alexander Graham Bell, his cousin Chichester Bell, and Charles Sumner Tainter. They experimented with reproduction and copying techniques for possible mass-consumption of their discs, and, unlike Edison’s phonograph cylinders, the Volta records were durable enough to be played multiple times. This post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Frederick Douglass: Orator, Activist, and Bad, Bad Man

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:43:54 GMT

In this post, students will learn about Frederick Douglass as more than an orator and activist. Though Douglass' persona was poised, dignified, and proper, he was also a fighter and an agitator. Written by Chris Wilson, Director of Daily Programs and the Program in African American Culture, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Hallowe’en? Putting the Apostrophe Back

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:55:15 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the origins of the holiday known today as Halloween, and the history of its celebration in the United States, including trick-or-treating and costumes. All-Hallows-Even (that is, evening) is the night before All Hallows Day. The apostrophe in the earlier spelling of Hallowe’en denotes the missing “v” of “even.” You’ll find many “e’ens” in nineteenth-century and earlier poetry. Written by David Haberstich, Associate Curator in the Archives Center, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Inspiration from the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 08:37:27 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the spring and summer of 1961, when more than 400 Americans became Freedom Riders. They did so knowing full well that the simple act of violating long-held traditions of racial segregation and white supremacy would almost certainly lead to arrest and imprisonment, and might even cost them their lives. Propelled by faith in nonviolence and the hope that the country could be awakened to the promise of democratic renewal and social justice, the Riders endured beatings, bombings, harassment, and imprisonment. In the process, they drew the Kennedy administration into the gathering movement for civil rights and, even more importantly, demonstrated the power of ordinary people to effect great social change. Written by Chris Wilson, Director of the Program in African American Culture, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Louisa May Alcott's Civil War

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:50:09 GMT

In this post, students will explore Louisa May Alcott's service as a nurse during the Civil War. While Alcott is perhaps best known as the author of the 19th-century classic Little Women, she also served as a Union nurse in Washington, D.C. at Georgetown’s Union Hotel Hospital from December 13, 1862 to January 21, 1863. Though Alcott’s term of service was cut short after she contracted typhoid pneumonia, she used her brief wartime experience as a basis for her second published book, Hospital Sketches. Yet unlike many Civil War nurses who waited until after the war to publish their memoirs, Alcott’s appeared in print in 1863 before the war’s end, allowing fellow nurses such as Amanda Akin to read passages from the book to their patients. Written by Kevin Konrad, an exhibition researcher, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Making Room for Blossoms and Monuments

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:26:59 GMT

In this post, students will learn how Washington, D.C. transformed the Potomac Riverfront, especially the area of the National Mall where the Tidal Basin, cherry blossom trees, and monuments now stand. Written by Drew Robarge, museum technician in the Division of Medicine and Science, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Martin Luther King, Jr., Through the Scurlock Lens

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:21:31 GMT

In this post, students will read about the Scurlock Studio, a photographic business operated by an African American family in Washington, D.C., from 1911 to 1994. The Scurlocks maintained a long business relationship with Howard University as its official photographers. In the Scurlock photographic archive are photographs of Martin Luther King, Jr. Although there does not seem to be a formal studio portrait of this great civil rights leader in the collection, his visits to the Howard University campus were preserved on film. Written by David Haberstich, Curator of Photography, Archives Center, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Mary Lou Williams: Musical and Social Change Agent

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:29:01 GMT

In this post, students will learn about jazz master Mary Lou Williams and her impact on jazz music, from boogie woogie and big band. Mary Lou Williams was a jazz artist who articulated the history, culture, and heritage of a people and a nation through the music she composed and performed. She was the only major jazz artist whose career spanned every musical era in jazz history. Written by Joann Stevens, Program Director for Jazz Appreciation Month, this post is published on the Musuem's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Memories of a Wartime Poster Model

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:10:35 GMT

In this post, students will learn the story of Ms. Weslee W. D’Audney, a woman who modeled for a government poster during World War II. Students will also discover the challenges of managing the Smithsonian's large collection of war-related posters. Written by David Haberstich, Associate Curator in the Museum's Archives Center, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Putting Names with the Faces of Braceros

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:43:20 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the Bracero History Project, an oral history project that collects and makes available the oral histories and artifacts pertaining to the Bracero program, a guest worker initiative that spanned the years 1942-1964. Millions of Mexican agricultural workers crossed the border under the program to work in more than half of the states in America. This post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Samuel Finley Breese Morse: Artist and Inventor

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:53:43 GMT

In this post, students will read a short biography of Samuel Morse, inventor of the telegraph. Even in his day, he was a controversial figure, but today he is remembered for his creativity—an artist who became interested in a novel technology and helped lay the foundation for a revolution in communications that has since changed the world. Written by Hal Wallace, associate curator of the Electricity Collections, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:33:48 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the Greensboro Four, college freshmen who sat down at the whites-only Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina and asked to be served. Students will also learn why that lunch counter is currently on exhibit at the Museum. This post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: September 11: Photographers and Their Stories

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:40:29 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the work at the Museum to collect both professional and amateur photographer's images of the September 11 tragedy, as well as the stories told by the photographers. More than 2000 images and several cameras were collected for the Smithsonian from 25 photographers. Each of the photographers had a unique story to convey with their donation to the collection. Written by Michelle Delaney, Director of the Smithsonian’s Consortium for Understanding the American Experience and former curator of photography, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Star Spangled Women: Mary Pickersgill

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:03:00 GMT

In this post, students will learn the story of Mary Pickersgill, the woman who created the Star-Spangled Banner. Mary Pickersgill learned the art of flagmaking from her mother, Rebecca Young, who made a living during the Revolution sewing flags, blankets, and uniforms for George Washington’s Continental army. Rebecca lived with Mary during the time the Star-Spangled Banner was created, but since she was 73 years old at the time, we have no idea how much she was able to contribute. We do know that Mary’s daughter Caroline, her two teenage nieces Eliza and Jane, and an indentured servant named Grace Wisher did help with the onerous task of sewing the 30 × 42 foot flag. Grace was an African-American teen who had entered into a six-year indentured apprenticeship with Mary in order to learn “the art and mystery of Housework and plain sewing.” Written by Megan Smith, Education Specialist in the Department of Public Programming, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Stories of the Mexican Revolution

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:55:27 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the interdependence and interconnectedness of Mexico and the U.S., especially during the late 19th and early 20th century and its impact on the Mexican Revolution. The Revolution spanned twenty years, involving two nations and several colorful public figures. The Revolution encouraged the development of music and culture, changed the everyday lives of people, and had political and social repercussions that continue today. Protection of economic and political interests drove the U.S. to intervene in Mexico both politically and militarily. The rural Mexican poor wanted redistribution of land, while others in Mexico called for a more even distribution of wealth. The resulting violence caused mass migration from Mexico to the U.S., creating strong communities of Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Written by L. Stephen Velasquez, Associate Curator in Division of Home and Community Life, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Teaching AIDS Awareness Through Trading Cards

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:00:38 GMT

In this post, students will learn how trading cards were used to educate those who could not be reached through more traditional methods during the AIDS epidemic. In 1993, comic book publisher Eclipse Enterprises released a set of 110 AIDS Awareness trading cards. The cards feature a variety of HIV/AIDS information and organizations, as well as personalities who died from AIDS, were currently battling the disease, or were involved in AIDS awareness. Written by Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.,Archives Specialist for the Smithsonian Archives Center, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Teaching AIDS in the early 1980s

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:07:34 GMT

In this post, students will read an interview with Marcia Quackenbush, a social worker in San Francisco in the early 1980s. She wrote one of the early textbooks for K-12 teachers, Teaching AIDS. Interviewer John O’Keefe is a guest assistant curator of the showcase display “HIV and AIDS 30 Years Ago.” This post was originally published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: The Apollo Theater

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:13:56 GMT

For a good part of the twentieth century, Harlem’s Apollo Theater was one of the most prestigious, important, and well-known venues for black entertainers. In this post, students will learn about the Schiffman family, who ran the Apollo from 1934 to 1976. In 1946, Frank Schiffman began keeping a 5”x8” card on each and every act he hired—from singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Chuck Berry to dancers such as Honi Coles, and comedians like Redd Foxx. There are over twelve hundred such cards that indicate how the Apollo Theater worked, the economics of the black entertainment industry, and the ups and downs of stars’ drawing power. Written by John Edward Hasse, a curator in the Division of Culture and the Arts, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: The Mystery Behind a Civil War Nurse's Photo Album

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:11:20 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the Civil War through a photographic album presented to Anna Lowell in 1864 by a group of attendants in D.C.'s Armory Square Hospital. In 1862, having recently been trained as a nurse, Lowell had traveled from Cambridge to D.C. and immediately gotten to work. Lowell initially served as a nurse on a hospital ship, the Daniel Webster, and, for the remainder of the Civil War, volunteered in Ward K of the Armory Square Hospital. Written by Dever Powell, Rare Book and Early Manuscript Librarian at the National Library of Medicine, this post is published on the Musem's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: Trilled R's and the Dawn of Recorded Sound in America

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:21:02 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the oldest sound recordings preserved toda, found at the Museum. These experimental phonograms were made starting in 1881 by the Volta Laboratory Association, which consisted of telephone pioneer Alexander Graham Bell, scientific instrument maker Charles Sumner Tainter, and chemist Chichester A. Bell. Written by Dr. Patrick Feaster, an instructor in Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University and a Lemelson Center Fellow, this post is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Blog Post: WWI Women in Uniform

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:11:37 GMT

In this post, students will learn about the thousands of American women who volunteered in World War I through their uniforms. Most of the women's uniforms in the Museum's collections from WWI belong to civilian relief and welfare organizations, like the Salvation Army, not to the armed forces, and represent the participation of tens of thousands of American women in the Great War. This post, written by Bart Hacker, Senior Curator of Armed Forces History, is published on the Museum's "O Say Can You See?" blog.

Boarding Axe

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:53:50 GMT

The compact boarding axe was an effective weapon in close combat. While an effective in hand-to-hand combat, it was more effective as a tool. The boarding axe was used to clear the decks of lines and broken timbers. It was invaluable at removing hot shot which caused devastating fires on board ships. The hook of the axe was used to drag debris across the decks and over the side.

Bomba Drum

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:59:15 GMT

This is a miniature version of the barril de bomba, the kind of drum used in performances of the Afro-Puerto Rican musical tradition known as bomba. While bomba can be used as the generic name for a number of rhythms, its real meaning is about the encounter and creative relationship between dancers, percussionists, and singers. Bomba is a community affair that still thrives in its traditional centers of Loíza, Santurce, Mayagüez, Ponce, and New York City.

From the Teodoro Vidal Collection

Bon Appétit! Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:12:56 GMT

Students can learn about Julia Child and her effect on American popular culture, cooking, and broadcast television in this online exhibition. Using an interactive, panoramic photograph, look around the entire kitchen as it exists on exhibit at the Smithsonian.

Book Dragon: Asian Pacific American Book Review

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:07:49 GMT

This blog, published by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, includes reviews of book written by or about Asian Pacific Americans. The books range from children's picture books to adult fiction and nonfiction to manga, and the reviewer makes special note of whether the book is presented bilingually. By using the categories, search, or tags, users can refine their exploration of the reviews, which have been accumulated over more than fifteen years of diligent reading.

Boxing Towel

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:26:08 GMT

Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (1914-1981) lost his first bout with Nazi Germany's champion Max Schmeling in 1936, but the return match was a triumph for America. This towel was thrown in by Schmeling's handlers at Yankee Stadium, New York City, June 22, 1938, where Louis pummeled his opponent in the first round. Enforcing a boxing rule that seconds cannot stop a fight, referee Arthur Donovan then threw it out. The towel was thrown in again during the first round, giving Louis the victory in two minutes and four seconds. The story of the fight was later embroidered on the towel.

Bracero History Archive

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:22:11 GMT

This website provides online access to a collection of oral histories, photos, documents, and objects related to bracero history. Students can browse the archive, use social bookmarking tools to share resources, add their own notes and make a poster using items from the archive, and contribute to the archive by adding their own stories about the bracero program.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is part of a consortium of museums, universities, and cultural institutions documenting and preserving the history of the bracero program, a little-known chapter of American history in which an estimated two million Mexican men came to the United States between 1942-1964 on short-term labor contracts. The Bracero History Project has recorded more than 600 oral histories and has collected many objects.

Bracero History Archive-Spanish Version

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:39:20 GMT

This website provides online access to this collection of oral histories, photos, documents, and objects related to bracero history. Students can browse the archive, use social bookmarking tools to share resources, add their own notes and make a poster using items from the archive, and contribute to the archive by adding their own stories about the bracero program.

Braddock Pistol

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:55:06 GMT

General Edward Braddock gave this pistol to George Washington. In 1777 Washington mislaid the gun. A letter was sent to Captain Charles Morley on July 2, 1777. It read: "Sir, His Excellency Gen. Washington desires you to look among his effects for a pistol which was mislaid or possibly lost. You will know it by being a large brass barrel and the lock of which is also of brass with the name of Gabbitas, the Spanish armorer, thereon. It has also a heavy brass butt. His Excellency is much exercised over the loss of this pistol, it being given him by Gen. Braddock, and having since been with him through several campaigns, and he therefore values it very highly."

Bread Tin, Canteen and Belt

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:57:26 GMT

The bread tin was designed to keep the doughboy's ration of hard bread dry; earlier bread rations were packaged in cardboard containers which became soggy and ruined the contents.

Broken School Bus Window from Boston School Desegregation

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:24:09 GMT

In 1974, Boston's court-ordered busing plan became one of the most visible and controversial examples of racial balancing through student transportation...

Brown Bess Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:55:42 GMT

The British Long Land pattern musket was the standard arm of the British infantry soldier during the American Revolution. The muzzle-loading musket was slow to load, inaccurate, and often unreliable. It fired round lead balls, some the diameter of a nickel. The smooth interior of the barrel made it an inaccurate gun, so soldiers massed tightly together, firing a volley of lead balls at the enemy. For charges and fighting at close quarters, soldiers fixed deadly, spear-like bayonets to the ends of their muskets.

The musket was known as a “Brown Bess,” and there is much conjecture as to how it came by the nickname. The walnut stock may be an explanation for the brown. Another explanation is the browning of the barrel, a process used to prevent corrosion which also gave it a rich brown color. The origins of “Bess” are more varied. Some believe it was a reference to Queen Elizabeth I, though she had been dead more than 100 years before the musket was standard issue. Some believe it is an allusion to a notorious highwayman whose horse was named “Black Bess.” It may have been the mispronunciation of two foreign words. The Dutch word for gun barrel is “buss” while the German for gun is “Buchse.” It could be a simple case of poetic alliteration. In the 1785 Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue--a vernacular dictionary of the time--the following entry appears: “Brown Bess, a soldier’s firelock”.

Brown v. Board of Education Annotated Bibliography

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:55:55 GMT

This downloadable, annotated bibliography accompanies the online exhibition, Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education. It includes links to online teacher materials and age appropriate works of fiction and nonfiction for students and adults.

Brown v. Board of Education at 50

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:53:29 GMT

This website, sponsored by the Howard University School of Law, is the homepage of the celebration and commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling in 1954. Howard University and the Howard University School of Law played historic roles leading to the decision in Brown and afterwards in realizing its promise. This website contains information relating to the people and the historic events leading up to and following Brown.

Brown v. Board of Education Electronic Field Trips

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:52:26 GMT

In these electronic field trips produced by the National Museum of American History, viewers are given a 20 minute tour by the curators of the exhibition Separate Is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education, followed by a 30 minute videotaped question and answer session about the Brown v. Board of Education case and its legacy.

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Homepage

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:09:45 GMT

This site is the official National Park Service website of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. It is a great source of historical information about the ruling, and has information about Monroe Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas, which was one of the segregated schools African American plaintiffs in the case were forced to attend after being refused admission to schools for whites in their neighborhoods. There are resources for teachers and students, as well as information for visiting Monroe Elementary, which in now a museum.

Brown v. Board of Education Timeline

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 11:47:55 GMT

This timeline provides an overview of events related to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Case, from the 1849 case, Roberts v. the City of Boston, to the 2003 case, Grutter v. Bollinger. This resource is available as a downloadable PDF, and is included in the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: A Landmark in American Justice

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:48:55 GMT

Students will learn about the lawyers who argued for and against segregation in the Supreme Court, the arguments that they used, and the importance of Chief Justice Earl Warren and the final decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case. The Decision: A Landmark in American Justice is the fifth section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: A Landmark in American Justice Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:53:17 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will examine both the integrationist and segregationist arguments from Brown v. Board of Education through role play and begin to explore the impact of the Supreme Court's decision through a primary source photographic analysis activity. This lesson accompanies the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Achieving Equality

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:49:45 GMT

Students will learn about the equal rights movements that were inspired by the Brown v. Board decision, as well as the continuing struggles to bring equal opportunities to all Americans. Legacy: Achieving Equality is the sixth and final section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Achieving Equality Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:56:56 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will analyze political cartoons and letters to the editor in order to identify and analyze the range of reactions to the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision, and the ways in which the Court's mandates were enacted or blocked. Students will also be able to connect a more recent civil rights or education issue to the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education. This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: An Organized Legal Campaign

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:27:35 GMT

Students will learn how leaders of the Howard University law school and the Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP prepared to fight segregation in the nation's public schools. An Organized Legal Campaign is the third section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: An Organized Legal Campaign Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:57:43 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will create posters that will help them identify the role of Howard University as an African American cultural center, the emergence of black lawyers as civil rights leaders, the importance of the NAACP and the roles of Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall. This lesson accompanies the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Five Communities Change a Nation

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:32:09 GMT

Students will learn about the communities and cases that turned to the courts to demand better educational opportunities for their children in the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Five Communities Change a Nation is the fourth section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Five Communities Change a Nation Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:54:04 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will research to gather information in order to create a radio broadcast about the five court cases that made up Brown v. Board of Education, and tell the stories of the African Americans from different walks of like who demanded better educational opportunities for their children. This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Segregated America

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:24:56 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will learn how racism, social attitudes and policies such as Jim Crow laws and poll taxes led to the Plessy v. Ferguson case which legalized segregation. Segregated America is the first section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Segregated America Lesson

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:52:05 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will identify and discuss the condition and aspirations of free African Americans in the years following the Civil War, identify the social factors that led to the rise of Jim Crow segregation and evaluate the effects of segregation. This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Separate and Unequal Education

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:26:51 GMT

Students will learn how laws and customs led to separate and unequal education for people of color in the United States and the efforts made by citizens to guarantee equal education in the century before the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education is the second section of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Brown v. Board of Education: Separate and Unequal Education Lesson

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:59:06 GMT

In this classroom activity, students will identify the purpose and goals of education in American society and explain why African Americans chose to challenge segregated education in their quest for equality. This lesson is part of the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

Buckskin Coat worn by General George Armstrong Custer

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:26:06 GMT

This buckskin coat was worn by Custer when he was Lieutenant Colonel with the 7th U. S. Cavalry in the Dakotas. It was one of several owned and worn by Custer, who prefered to dress like a frontiersman while out West.

In 1912, Custer's widow, Elizabeth, donated this buckskin coat to the Smithsonian as a tribute to her husband.

George Armstrong Custer was born in 1839 in New Rumley, Ohio; by 1857, he was enrolled as a cadet in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point upon appointment by a congressman. He graduated last in his class of 34 students. During the Civil War, he became known for his fearlessness (some would say recklessness) in battle; indeed, he was promoted to the rank of Major General by the age of 25. He figured prominently in Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864; at the surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, General Sheridan gifted Custer's wife, Elizabeth, with the table on which the surrender was signed. After the war, George Custer reverted to the rank of Captain. He was given command of the newly formed 7th Cavalry in 1866 and elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While in command of the 7th Cavalry, he gained the reputation as an Indian fighter who often ignored orders if they did not suit his sense of self-aggrandizement. His recklessness finally caught up to him on June 25, 1876, when he and his five companies of U.S. Cavalry were annihilated by a combined force of thousands of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors at Little Big Horn, Montana. In 1864, George Custer married Elizabeth (known as Libby) Bacon. Theirs was a marriage of love and devotion; Libby followed her husband on campaign during the Civil War, and even went with him to the frontier. After his death, Libby crusaded to perpetuate the image of her husband as a gallant soldier; to this end, she undertook speaking engagements and wrote several books. In 1912, she donated this coat to the Smithsonian in memory of her husband.

Buffalo Coat

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:26:38 GMT

According to legend, this coat was made from the skin of a buffalo killed by Buffalo Bill, and presented by him to Captain J. B. Irvine, Twenty-second U.S. Infantry. Irvine then presented it to Second Lieutenant Albert C. Dalton, Company A, U.S. Infantry.

In a life that was part legend and part fantasy, William F. Cody came to embody the spirit of the West. During the Civil War, Cody served first as a Union scout in campaigns against the Kiowa and Comanche; then in 1863 he enlisted with the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, which saw action in Missouri and Tennessee. In 1867, Cody took up the trade that gave him his nickname, hunting buffalo to feed the construction crews of the Kansas Pacific Railroad. According to Buffalo Bill, he killed 4,280 head of buffalo in seventeen months.

He is perhaps best known for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, a theatrical extravaganza. His show dramatized some of the most picturesque elements of frontier life. It contained a buffalo hunt with real buffalos, an Indian attack with real Indians, and a grand finale that reenacted Custer’s Last Stand, with some Lakota who actually fought in the battle playing a part. The show was enormously successful and traveled the world for three decades.

Buffalo Hide Painting of Saint Anthony of Padua

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:20:38 GMT

The man in this painting, holding an apparition of the baby Jesus, appears to be a saint. Known as Saint Anthony of Padua, the "Hammer of Heretics," he was celebrated for his many miracles and his ability to communicate with rich and poor alike. Missionary priests who proselytized among Indians in what is now New Mexico frequently instructed local craftsman to render his likeness. It had taken decades for Pueblo tribes to accept Christianity. The mission where this painting was created was miles from the Gulf of Mexico, where imported canvases would have been prohibitively expensive and in short supply. Missionary priests worked out a compromise with their Indian laborers, increasingly relying on their skill in rendering animal skins into a workable substitute for scarce European canvases.

This particular image is credited to a mystery artist known as "Franciscan B" for his recognizable style, rendered in vegetal paints on buffalo hide. According to Mrs. E. Boyd, former curator of the Museum of New Mexico, who examined this piece for possible transfer to the National Museum of History and Technology (now American History): "By the time the Franciscan missionaries were being withdrawn from New Mexico and replaced by Mexican secular clergy, the visiting bishops from Durango, Mexico, the seat of the diocese, repeatedly ordered the removal of sacred images painted on animal skins as not suitable." Following passage of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which transferred New Mexico to the United States, canvas was more readily available and buffalo herds were dwindling. By the close of 19th century, the buffalo was becoming the unofficial emblem of the United States, as prominent as the eagle in American symbolic imagery.

Buffalo Soldier Uniform Coat

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:29:45 GMT

African American soldiers were allowed to enlist in the regular peacetime army of the United States for the first time at the end of the Civil War. Many of the new regulars had fought as United States Colored Troops during the war. By 1869, four African American regiments—the 9th and 10th Cavalry, the 24th and 25 Infantry—had been dispatched to the western frontier wars. Their duties were not limited to fighting Indians, who first called them "buffalo soldiers." In garrison, they drilled, stood guard, and maintained horses, barracks, weapons, and equipment. In the field, they patrolled harsh terrain in every extreme of weather, built or rebuilt army posts, strung telegraph wire, and escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews.

Build Your Own Gramophone

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:12:05 GMT

Create a cardboard gramophone and think about its connection to recorded sounds. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Build Your Own Speaker

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:12:51 GMT

A speaker is a device found in radios, telephones, and other electronic devices that converts electrical energy into sound energy. You can make your own speaker with some simple supplies. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Building a National Collection: 150 Years of Print Collecting at the Smithsonian

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:32:33 GMT

This website focuses on the process of collecting, and how private collectors and public attitudes have influenced the collection's development and direction. This online exhibition includes sections on the history of printing, the history of print collecting in America, and on artists and curators as collectors. This resource also contains a wealth of prints that can be enlarged and copied as well as a collection of related weblinks.

Building a Sod House

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:22:07 GMT

In this interactive activity, students will attempt to build a sod house by making choices regarding the construction of their house. Too many wrong answers and the house will collapse! This engaging and lighthearted activity will help students understand the challenges settlers faced while trying to survive on the open prairie. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Building Ships for Victory, 1917-1945

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:50:43 GMT

Students will learn how the United States mass produced huge merchant fleets to support the soldiers fighting overseas in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Students will understand that merchant seamen and ships played a vital role in winning both world wars of the 20th century, and learn about the men and women who built the ships and risked their lives sailing them while playing a vital and unheralded role in the American war effort.

Bullet Mold, Bullet Ladle, and Iron Pot

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:30:11 GMT

Casting shot requires an iron pot to melt the lead, a ladle to pour the lead, and a bullet mold to fashion the shot. When the lead reaches a viscous consistency, it is ladled from the pot and poured into the bullet mold. The excess lead is cut with the closing of the mold and remelted.

By Popular Demand: Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:15:46 GMT

The Library of Congress presents Portraits of the Presidents and First Ladies through this website. A great resource for students who are looking for images to help with presidential research, this site also includes advice on how to understand and work with the collection of portraits.

Camera Creativity and Collaboration

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:43:23 GMT

Take a close look at a famous picture of Martha Graham, then grab your camera and make your own dance photo with a friend or family member. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes a primary source photograph, guided looking questions, step-by-step directions for creating your own photograph, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Captain Charles Gridley's Coat and Cap

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:31:59 GMT

Physical Description
Blue wool coat with gold trim on cuffs. Cap with wool body and gold-colored band. Naval insignia.

Specific History
Service coat and cap worn by Captain Charles V. Gridley at the Battle of Manila Bay.

General History
An Annapolis graduate, Captain Charles Gridley was commander of the USS Olympia, the flagship of Commodore George Dewey’s Asiatic Squadron at the Battle of Manila Bay. Dewey, in command of the overall squadron, was also aboard Olympia at the beginning of the battle.

The battle is perhaps best known as the occasion when Dewey uttered one of the most famous statements in American naval history: “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.” The Battle of Manila Bay, one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War, occurred on 1 May 1898, only days after war had been declared between Spain and the United States. It was a complete and final victory, ending any threat from the Spanish naval forces involved. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage occurring to the American forces.

CARE Package

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:22:36 GMT

This cardboard CARE package, contains seven smaller boxes and bags of macaroni, cornmeal, Carnation instant chocolate flavored drink mix, and nonfat dried milk. It has a paper insert reading "August 6, 1962. Greetings from the men of the U.S.S. Lake Champlain." The macaroni boxes are marked "Packed for CARE USA by A.Zerega's Sons, Inc." CARE is the acronym for "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe." CARE Package is the registered trademark of the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. It began its emergency food relief at the end of World War II.

Originally, CARE packages contained surplus foodstuffs from the military, but after the Army rations ran out in early 1947, CARE assembled its own packages, typically containing several tinned meats, eight ounces of powdered eggs, a pound each of lard, apricot preserves, honey, and raisins, and two pounds each of margarine, sugar, powdered milk, and coffee. Food companies made donations of their products, but CARE bought most of these supplies and paid for their shipment. Individuals placed orders by mailing a $15 "remittance" (a check or money order) to CARE's headquarters in New York.

Packages were assembled in Philadelphia, shipped overseas, and delivered locally by any means of conveyance. When a recipient received the gift, a signed receipt was returned to the sender within 120 days. As the famine threat subsided, CARE packages included books, blankets, tools, and knitting supplies. CARE even managed to send x-ray machines and iron lungs from its larger donors. The food package program ended in 1967, as CARE switched to other means of shipping commodities, though it renewed the classic CARE Package occasionally, most recently in the former Soviet republics and in Bosnia.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Carnival Costume

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:38:08 GMT

This homemade costume was made for the Ponce carnival. It has a cape attached at the neck made from the same black and red striped fabric (black and red are the colors of the city of Ponce). Carnival participants who wear costumes like this one, in addition to a mask, and other carnival accoutrements like matching shoes, canes, and gloves, are called vejigantes. Vejigantes are famous for playfully swatting at carnival-goers with a vejiga, a dried, inflated bladder. When a real animal bladder in not available, an empty water bottle is an acceptable substitute.

Carnival Mask

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:23:52 GMT

Although introduced by Spanish settlers, the island's carnival celebrations, like mask making, music, and public performance, have developed into uniquely Puerto Rican traditions that also reflect the customs and sensibilities of Puerto Ricans' African ancestors. This carnival mask pictured here was made by Félix Vázquez. Its comical eyelashes are complimented by a set of teeth that once belonged to a horse or donkey.

Carnival Mask

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:24:41 GMT

Carnival celebrations featuring performers dressed as devils are found in Puerto Rico and the rest Latin America. The presence of these characters during Carnival is understood by many as an ancient reference to the contest between good and evil. The devilish mask pictured here was made for the carnaval de Ponce. Its collector, Teodoro Vidal, played a key role in publicizing the Ponce carnival and documenting its traditions of mask making and public performance.

Carnival Mask

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:25:48 GMT

This elaborate mask, made around 1980, is painted in red and black, the colors of the city of Ponce. Masks like this are typically worn by young men from the neighborhood, who don the costume of a vejigante, a character who roams the streets during Carnival, playfully scaring children and other revelers, and swatting them with vejigas (balloon-like, inflated animal bladders).

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Caroline Harrison's 1889 Inaugural Gown

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:25:04 GMT

In keeping with the "America first" economic policy of her husband, Benjamin Harrison, Caroline Harrison's gown for the 1889 inaugural ball at the Pension Building was an "all-American" creation. The gown was made in New York City by William Ghormley's firm, Ghormley, Robes et Manteaux.

Cast Your Vote!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:16:55 GMT

In this interactive from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, students are introduced to characters and issues from the War of 1812 and are invited to cast their vote on going to war.

Celebrate Community Helpers

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:43:48 GMT

When bad things happen, community helpers are there to keep people safe! Find out who helps in your community and celebrate them with a special certificate. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes a photograph of a certificate in the Museum’s collections, discussion prompts, step-by-step directions, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:49:17 GMT

El sitio de web de este centro académico de Puerto Rico provee algunos enlaces importantes a su propia biblioteca y también a otros sitios relevantes. Debajo de la sección a la izquierda que se llama “Biblioteca” hay una multitud de opciones para investigar temas variados de la historia puertorriqueña hasta la ecología de Puerto Rico. Además, hay una sección que ofrece varias revistas electrónicas, incluyendo la de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Este sitio tiene valor para la maestra y el estudiante hispanohablante en cuanto a la investigación de Puerto Rico y temas puertorriqueños.

Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:44:09 GMT

The Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños is a research center dedicated to the study and interpretation of the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. Operating out of Hunter College, the City University of New York, the Centro is committed to making their research available and useful to those in community organizations, public policy, academia and the public at large via their website.

Cesar Chavez's Union Jacket

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:19:02 GMT

Cesar Chavez inspired a nation to seek justice for the poorest of America's laborers. A migrant worker since childhood, Cesar Chavez pledged his life to improving the lives of his fellow workers, rather than escape the stark conditions of farm labor. Inspired by the tireless conviction of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Chavez dedicated himself to the principles of self-sacrifice and nonviolent resistance.

For decades the attempts of reformers and labor leaders to organize farm workers in America had met with failure. It was not until Cesar Chavez began organizing the predominately Latino-Californian migrant farm workers in 1962 that the first effective union was established. As founder and president of the United Farm Workers, he brought the plight of farm laborers to national consciousness. Through community organizing, strikes, marches, boycotts, and fasts, this small, dedicated union began to win better working conditions for the most downtrodden of American workers. The union continues to fight an uphill battle to provide farm workers with the benefits most Americans believe working people are entitled: a safe work place and a decent wage.

Shortly after his death in 1993, his wife, Helen Chavez, donated his black nylon union jacket to the National Museum of American History.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Changing Gender Roles on the World War II Home Front

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:17:46 GMT

Kick-off a research project on gender roles on the World War II home front with two brief video clips and a selection of primary sources. Once students have analyzed the photographs and wartime advertisements, begin a research project on women during World War II. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Cher Ami

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:57:26 GMT

Cher Ami was a registered Black Check cock carrier pigeon, one of 600 birds owned and flown by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I. He delivered twelve important messages within the American sector at Verdun; on his last mission, October 4, 1918, he was shot through the breast and leg by enemy fire but still managed to return to his loft with a message capsule dangling from the wounded leg. The message Cher Ami carried was from Major Charles S. Whittlesey's "Lost Battalion" of the Seventy-seventy Infantry Division that had been isolated from other American forces. The message brought about the relief of the 194 battalion survivors, and they were safe behind American lines shortly after the message was received.

For his heroic service, Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with palm. He was returned to the United States and died at Fort Monmouth, N.J. on June 13, 1919, as a result of his wounds. Cher Ami was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931, and received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I.

Chicago, the Transit Metropolis

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:55:24 GMT

In this online reference page, students can learn how public transportation shaped the development of Chicago. This resource is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Children Write to the President

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:56:08 GMT

What would you say if you wrote a letter to the President? In this activity, students will analyze primary source letters that were written to Presidents by children and answer questions based on what they have read. This activity provides a unique look at the Presidency as part of the online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.

China Poblana Dress

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:03:48 GMT

Mariachis, groups comprised of vocalists, trumpeters, violinists, and various bass and guitar players, are today considered Mexico's traditional musical ensemble. Originally from the state of Jalisco, mariachi music transformed itself from a regional to a national music between the 1930s and 1950s. Its accompanying attire is the fancy charro costume for men and the china poblana dress (like the one pictured here) for women. The thriving song, music, and dance culture surrounding mariachi today is the product of pioneering work by Mexican American educators and performers in the early 1960s. Mariachi instruction programs have since grown in popularity across Mexican American communities, with student mariachi ensembles beginning to perform as early as elementary or middle school. But Mexican American musical traditions began much earlier than the mariachi movement—they include styles as diverse as the choir music of the California missions and the corridos and ballads of San Antonio's Rosita Fernández (1925 1997). This china poblana dress, made in the 1960s, belonged to Fernández who, though performing a wide repertoire of Mexican song styles, is most identified with música norteña, rather than mariachi. Her sixty-year career as a local radio, TV, and theater star garnered her the title, "San Antonio's First Lady of Song."

Chinese-American Shop Sign

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:08:35 GMT

This sign was purchased by a North Beach second-hand shop from a proprietor in the neighboring Chinatown district of San Francisco. It is said to date from between 1890 and 1910. If that is so, the sign’s survival is quite miraculous: The 1906 earthquake in April of that year caused much damage throughout the city due to spreading wildfires. Residents of Chinatown grabbed what they could easily carry and evacuated the neighborhood ahead of the fires, taking up temporary residence in relief camps in San Francisco and Oakland. Relocating Chinatown permanently to Hunter’s Point or North Beach was discussed, but, with realization of the continued need for the tax base provided by foreign trade between the business community and Asia, Chinatown was ultimately rebuilt at its original location and continued to be not only a major center for the Chinese American community but a popular destination for tourists to the present day.

Translation of this shop sign would help to document a portion of the economic history of this neighborhood. It is likely that the language is Cantonese, the dialect used in Southern China, which was engaged in foreign trade long before military oppression and American labor recruitment in the mid-19th century brought immigrants to “Gun San” or the “Land of the Golden Mountain,” as the Cantonese referred to the West Coast of the United States. Not only did Chinese pan for gold in San Francisco. They labored excavating coal, mercury, and borax, building railway lines and tunnels, and working for fisheries and canneries throughout Far West. Economic depression in the late 1800s brought fear, discrimination, and violence to established Chinese communities. Successively restrictive acts of Congress prohibited further Chinese immigration beginning in 1882, with continuing restrictions of civil rights until the Immigration Law of 1965 eliminated such restrictions, bringing a new wave of migration to the United States from Asia.

With dwindling opportunities to earn enough money to return home, Chinese Americans turned to such service industries as laundries and restaurants and specialized increasingly in trade abroad. But this sign also may have advertised availability of herbal medicines, foodstuffs, cookwares, or furnishings desired by the local Chinese American community, which, while changing in population, has survived in San Francisco to the present day.

Chladni Plate Demonstration

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:33 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses on the plate developed by the 18th century scientist Chladni whose instruments create visual representations of wave patterns. This is the fourth video in a series of five.

Christening Cap

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:34:51 GMT

This intricate handmade lace baby cap dates from the turn of the 20th century and was probably worn for a baby's christening. The baptism of newborns is both a religious and a social ceremony, strengthening ties among members of a community. Compadrazgo, the special relationship between parents and godparents, is a valued tradition in Puerto Rico and Latin America.

From the Teodoro Vidal Collection

Christian Fleetwood's Medal of Honor

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:28:01 GMT

This Medal of Honor was awarded to Sergeant Major Christian Fleetwood, 4th U.S. Colored Troops, for heroism on the field of battle at Chaffin’s Farm on September 29, 1864. Fleetwood seized the colors after two color bearers had been shot down, and bore them nobly through the fight. Fleetwood was 23 years old.

Fleetwood was a free man born in Baltimore, Maryland. He traveled to Liberia as a young man and attended Ashmun Institute in Oxford, Pennsylvania. During his life he was an editor, a musician, and a government official. He organized a battalion of the District of Columbia National Guard and a Colored High School Cadet Corps. He is the author of a pamphlet entitled The Negro as a Soldier, in which he wrote, “... it is possible only to indicate in skeleton the worth of the Negro as a solider. If this brief sketch should awaken even a few to interest in his achievements, and one be found willing and fitted to write the history that is their due, that writer shall achieve immortality.”

Measurements:4 1/4 x 2 1/16 x 1/4 in.; 10.8 x 5.24 x .64 cm; Date Made: 1862

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Civil War Field Printing

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:57:36 GMT

This online exhibition explore the role of the portable printing press in conveying information during the Civil War. The ability to communicate quickly in wartime can profoundly affect military actions and outcomes. The invention of portable tabletop printing presses at the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865) allowed for better communication in the field. Portable presses were purchased by several Union and Confederate military units. They allowed for the rapid production and wide distribution of urgent orders, and also routine documents such as requisitions and entertaining material such as unit newsletters. Albert Adams’ New York cylinder press, the Cottage press, was advertised to the armed forces and to merchants. This press, along with at least three other similar inventions, became particularly popular during the War. The use of portable printing presses expanded after the War and a movement of amateur printers was born.

Civil War Soldier

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:38:53 GMT

Photographs can be powerful connections to the past. Soldiers, for example often had their portraits made before going off to war so that loved ones would have a rememberance of them in the event they did not return. This decorative mat is unusual and suggests the pride the owner may have felt about his status as a fighting soldier.

Civil War Soldier's Mess

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:05:18 GMT

A match safe, lantern, frying pan, and cup would have been part of a soldier’s equipment. Hardtack is the name given to a thick cracker made of flour, water, and sometimes salt.

Civil War Soldier's Violin

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:06:51 GMT

Violin purchased by Solomon Conn in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 1, 1863. Conn carried the violin while serving with Company B, 87th Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War. Written on the back of the instrument are the names of places where the soldiers of the 87th were either on duty or engaging the enemy.

Cladding Fragment from the World Trade Center

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:44:29 GMT

This crumpled piece of exterior sheathing was recovered from the debris pile of the World Trade Center after the building collapsed following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Clues Within These Walls

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:27:27 GMT

On this page, students will find some of the methods historians and curators used to learn about the house at 16 Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Students will learn how to use primary source documents, photographs and architectural clues to answer questions such as: Who lived in a house and what the neighborhood was like? When was the house built? How do historians discover how a house changes over time? Also included is a link to House Detective: Finding History in Your Home, a research guide that will help students conduct investigations of their own home. This activity accompanies the online exhibition, Within These Walls.

COBOL

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:40:39 GMT

This online exhibition tells of the development of COBOL, a computer programming lanugage, and how it changed the commercial, banking, and defense industries. Fifty years ago, each computer maker used its own programming languages to tell a computer what to do. In 1959, a group of programmers devised COBOL, a COmmon, Business-Oriented Language. Programs written in COBOL could run on more than one manufacturer’s computer. In a 1960 test, the same COBOL programs ran successfully on two computers built by different manufacturers.

Codex Telleriano-Remensis

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:30:09 GMT

The civilizations of pre-Hispanic Mexico recorded their histories, religious beliefs, and scientific knowledge in books called codices. Codices are folded pieces of hide or bark that depict both mundane and spiritual scenes with images, symbols, and numbers. Scribes and painters busily recorded daily affairs, filling libraries and temples with books throughout Mexico and Central America. The majority of these illustrated books did not survive the Spanish conquest. But indigenous scribes trained by Spanish missionaries continued writing. While these colonial-era texts were still filled with pictures, over time they referenced the visual language of older Mexican and Maya books less and less. These new books about community histories (including land titles) and secret religious traditions were sometimes bilingual, combining Spanish with either Náhautl (the common language of central Mexico) or a Mayan language, both of which were now written with the Latin alphabet. This image is from an Italian reproduction of the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, a manuscript co-written by Spanish friar Pedro de los Ríos about 1550. It documents the religious beliefs, calendar system, traditions, and history of the Tolteca-Chichimeca culture of Central Mexico. Joseph Florimond, Duc de Loubat, (1837 1921) was an American philanthropist who published a series of reproductions of pre-Hispanic and colonial-era Mexican manuscripts, including the Codex Telleriano-Remensis. The Graphic Arts Collection of the National Museum of American History houses several reproductions of Mesoamerican codices published for study by French, German, and Italian scholars at the turn of the 20th century.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Colonel Leonard Wood's Jacket and Cap

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:06:04 GMT

Physical Description
Light khaki jacket with blue facings with epaulettes and gold-colored buttons. Wool felt hat with cotton braids and gilt threads.

Specific History
Jacket and hat worn by Colonel Leonard Wood in Cuba.

While serving as an assistant surgeon in the Apache Campaign of the summer of 1886, Wood was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1895, he was the White House physician to President Grover Cleveland. He began his long friendship with Theodore Roosevelt during his years in Washington. Following the Spanish-American War, he served as military governor of Cuba until 1902. As a brigadier general he fought the Moros during the Philippine Insurrection in 1904 and less than a year later was named army chief of staff by President William Howard Taft. In less than a decade, he had jumped from a captain in the Medical Corps to the highest post in the army.

Colonial Powder Horn

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:06:36 GMT

During the colonial period, cattle horns were used by woodsmen and by soldiers for storing gunpowder in a safe, dry place. The horns also became decorative objects as they were personalized by the owner. Makers carved names, initials, dates, flags, battles, and even full maps on the exterior of the horns.

Colt Model 1860 Revolver

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:07:16 GMT

The Colt Model 1860 army revolver was manufactured from 1860 through 1873. The total production consisted of more than 200,000. The six-shot, .44-caliber revolver was the primary handgun used by Union troops during the Civil War because of its reliability.

Colt Model 1892 Revolver

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:58:50 GMT

Physical History
United States Colt M1892 revolver, .38 caliber.

Specific History
Colt revolver carried by Captain Allyn K. Capron.

General History
Captain Allyn Capron was the son of West Point graduate E. Allyn Capron. The younger Capron was killed during the Spanish-American War on June 24, 1898. A contemporary report stated: "It was predicted that the Rough Riders would give a good account of themselves, but few were prepared for such an exhibition of dash and bravery as was witnessed in their first fight with the enemy on June 24, 1898. Captain Allyn Capron, Jr. stood behind his men, revolver in hand, using it whenever a Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was sure, and two of the enemies were seen to fall under his fire. Just as he was preparing to take another shot, and shouting orders to his men at the same time, his revolver dropped from his grasp and he fell to the ground with a rifle ball through his body. His troop was badly disconcerted for a moment, but with all of the strength he could muster, he cried 'Don't mind me boys, go on and fight.' He was carried from the field as soon as possible, and lived for only a few more hours."

Comic Book Hero

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:49:30 GMT

Do you have what it takes to be a comic book hero? Take a close look at a comic book from the 1950s and 60s about nonviolence in the civil rights movement and think about ways those tips could help you today. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Coming to America

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:44:17 GMT

Almost all Americans have family histories that trace back to other countries. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the experiences of immigrants who came to America and the ways that immigration has changed life in America through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Feivel’s Flying Horses, a historical fiction picture book about an immigrant who comes to America in the 1800’s, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Committee of Safety Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:01:33 GMT

Committee of Safety rifles were copied from the British King’s Arms Long Land pattern musket. During the mid-1700s many communities formed Committees of Safety to address the needs and concerns of the times. Committees of Safety during the earlier years of the Revolution served as the chief executive body of the province to transition from colonial to state government. A militia of able-bodied men was subordinate to the Committee and would respond to emergencies if called.

Communicating the Presidency

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:08:21 GMT

Students will learn how mass media, the entertainment industry and consumer products are all used to conduct a national dialogue between the president and his constituents in this section of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, an online exhibition.

Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers in the Civil War

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:47:27 GMT

Use primary sources as the inspiration for comparing and contrasting the soldiers on either side of the Civil War. After examining uniforms and viewing two short video clips, students will develop questions and perform short research projects to uncover the motivations behind the Civil War and the conditions for the soldiers who fought. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Conduct a Genealogical Study

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:35:42 GMT

Genealogy is the study of family ancestries and histories, and a great way to learn women's history. In this activity, students will learn about the methods and tools needed to conduct a genealogical interview. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Great Women of Our Pasts. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Confederate 5 Dollar Bill, 1862

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:15:44 GMT

Like the fledgling United States during the American Revolution, the Confederacy struggled to keep its money in existence during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. Coinage had never been all that plentiful in the states that now made up the Southern Confederacy. It was a debtor area, with coinage flowing out for purchase of manufactured goods about as quickly as it flowed in from the sale of agricultural ones.

Confederate Battle Flag

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:16:06 GMT

The Confederate battle flag, known as the “Stars and Bars,” was born of necessity at the Battle of Bull Run. Amid the smoke and general chaos of battle, it was hard to distinguish the Confederate "Stars and Bars" from the U.S. national flag, the "Stars and Stripes.” General Pierre T. Beauregard was credited with creating a new flag.

Confederate Bowie Knife and Scabbard

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:16:27 GMT

During the Civil War, the Bowie knife was popular with Confederate soldiers, whose arms generally were inferior. The blade, made of steel, was up to 14 inches long. In general, the bowie is usually classified as any large knife with a chipped point.

Confederate Officer's Frock Coat

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:16:52 GMT

This is the type of jacket that would have been worn by a Confederate medical officer.

Confederate Officer's Kepi

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:17:14 GMT

The kepi is similar to the forage cap. It was copied from the French officer's hat. The crown could be colored, usually for the branch of service of the wearer. The kepi was shorter than the forage cap, and was not very popular because it did not protect from the rain or sun.

Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:02:27 GMT

This lesson plan outlines topics for short research projects and classroom performances related to the Mexican War. Have students select individuals connected to the Mexican War, perform research, and then interview each other to showcase the disparate views on the motivations behind the War and perspectives on its outcomes. This lesson plan (which includes background information) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Congressional Gold Medal Experience

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:01:31 GMT

Nearly seven decades after the beginning of World War II, the Congressional Gold Medal was bestowed on the Japanese American men who served with bravery and valor on the battlefield, even while their families were held in internment camps by the very country for which they fought. Through videos, discussion forums, and three lesson plans, the Congressional Gold Medal Experience site focuses on how the stories of the honorees reflect outstanding character traits, such as courage and perseverance. This site was produced through collaboration between the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the National Veterans Network.

Connecting Food and Stories

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:19:34 GMT

Read or listen to a short news story about the food in a Japanese American internment camp, then create a meal using some of the same ingredients. Part of an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp, this activity includes links to instructions to make "Weenie Royale," discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Constellation Maker

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:44:24 GMT

Make your own constellation commemorating an American woman, like Maria Mitchell. Many cultures have used constellations to remember the stories of heroes, like the Greeks and some American Indians. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Exploring the Sky, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Convince Me!

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:46:32 GMT

Examine examples of persuasive writing from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, then composepersuasive statements about an environmental cause. Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes student handouts and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Copper Pattern Dollar, 1794

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:32:26 GMT

Once a new national government had been established under a new Constitution, attention naturally turned to ways of proclaiming national identity. A new, national coinage was one way of doing so, especially if it featured patriotic new images, rather than the endless sequence of crowned monarchs and coats of arms adorning the coinage of Old Europe.

A U. S Mint Act was passed in 1792, and work was quickly underway. Designs were chosen-a depiction of Liberty for obverses, an eagle, or the value within a wreath, for reverses. The first of the new coins, copper cents and half cents, appeared early the following year. By 1794, mint designers were working to create a silver dollar, the flagship of the new denominations. But they first made a trial piece, in copper.

Robert Scot created the dies for this design, a Liberty head with flowing hair for the dollar's obverse; an eagle within a simple wreath for the reverse. The new dies to be used in producing silver dollars were tested with a striking in copper. Copper would took a good impression, and would allow Scot and his associates to see whether the dies were cut deeply enough and would therefore be capable of producing the detail wanted on the final silver product.

Only one piece, this coin, was struck in copper, and it is a unique national treasure.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Cotton Gin Video

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:06:40 GMT

In this video, students will see both long-staple and short-staple cotton fibers processed in a roller gin and saw gin model similar to that patented by Eli Whitney, to better understand the impact of the cotton gin on cotton production in the U.S. Short staple cotton, with short fibers that stick to the seeds inside, was the type of cotton grown in most of the American south. This video does not include sound, but can be used with the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation resource packet, Whole Cloth.

Crayola Crayons

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:34:21 GMT

Cherished by generations of child artists, Crayola crayons were invented in 1903 by the Binney & Smith Company of Easton, Pennsylvania. Using paraffin wax and nontoxic pigments, the company produced a coloring stick that was safe, sturdy, and affordable. The name "Crayola," coined by the wife of the company's founder, comes from "craie," French for "chalk," and "oleaginous," or "oily." This Crayola set for "young artists" was one of the earliest produced. Its twenty-eight colors include celestial blue, golden ochre, rose pink, and burnt sienna.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Create Your Own Bubbles

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:13:32 GMT

People have been turning kitchens into bubble labs for hundreds of years. Benjamin Franklin and his mentor James Logan studied the optical properties of bubbles. These experiments later contributed to Franklin’s invention of bifocal glasses in 1784.

Discover your inner bubble inventor with this fun and easy activity! This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Create Your Own Indoor Kite

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:14:16 GMT

The kite has played a role in many famous inventions...build your own! This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Creating Stories Activity Kit

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:57:31 GMT

In this activity kit, students will use primary and secondary sources, and conduct oral history interviews to construct a family immigration or migration story. The kit contains step-by-step instructions, sample interview questions, and research guidance. The kit can be used in conjunction with a 28 minute streaming video called Creating Stories: America on the Move Electronic Field Part 2. It is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Creating Stories: America on the Move Electronic Field Trip, Part 2

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:05:38 GMT

In this electronic field, curators from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's exhibition America on the Move take students behind-the-scenes to show how they develop individual stories for exhibitions and provide guidance to students who want to create their own family stories by analyzing objects, documents, and other resources.

Creek War Flag

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:57:47 GMT

The Creek War began on August 30, 1813, when a faction of Creek known as the Red Sticks attacked a contingent of 553 American settlers at Lake Tensaw, Alabama, north of Mobile. The British were believed to be a main ally of the Indians. In response to the Alabama attack, Jackson led 5,000 militiamen in the destruction of two Creek villages, Tallasahatchee and Talladega. The fighting lasted into the next year, culminating in Jackson’s troops destroying the Creek defenses at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

CSS Virginia Model

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:20:33 GMT

On April 21, 1861, Virginians claimed an abandoned navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia. There they found the sunken hull of the burned USS Merrimack. The Merrimack was raised and on June 23, 1861 the Honorable S. R. Mallory, Confederate secretary of the navy, ordered it to be converted to an ironclad. That ironclad was christened the CSS Virginia.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:47:53 GMT

In this lesson plan students will examine primary sources to determine the level of threat caused by the buildup of Soviet nuclear missiles and weapons sites in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and will analyze President Kennedy’s response. This resource was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Cuban Rumba Dress

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:36:16 GMT

This is a Bata Cubana, or Cuban Rumba dress, donated to the Smithsonian by Celia Cruz, the great Cuban salsa singer in 1997. An adaptation of the traditional Cuban rumba dress, it was made in the United States by Cuban-born designer José Arteaga. The Bata Cubana has its roots in the 19th century, with origins as diverse as the multicultural makeup of the people of Cuba. It brings together influences from Spanish, French, and African culture and dress, combining theater, fiesta, and the spectacle of carnival with slave and gypsy dress. The Bata Cubana is a garment worn for performance on stage or cabaret. Celia Cruz's Bata Cubana is made of orange polyester satin, trimmed with white nylon eyelet along ruffle-edges and eyelet beading along seams with inserted orange ribbon. The Bata Cubana was Celia's preferred performance costume.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Curling Stone

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:39:15 GMT

Developed in Scotland and played in the northern United States, curling debuted as a medal sport at the 1998 Winter Olympics. This curling stone belonged to 75-year-old curler Rudy Senich, of Duluth, Minn., who has been curling three nights a week for the past 35 years. According to Senich's curling club rulebook, "Curling is a game of skill and traditions . . . Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler would prefer to lose, rather than to win unfairly!"

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

D Day

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:53:34 GMT

Robert Capa (1913 - 1954) documented World War II from the bombing of London to fronts in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He captured this arresting image of American troops landing at Omaha Beach on D-day, June 6, 1944.

Capa was one of two magazine war correspondents allowed to join the U.S. troops landing on the shores of Normandy, France, for the D-Day operations, launching the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe. Sailing with the 2000 men transported on the U.S.S. Chase, Capa joined the men of Company E on a barge headed for the section of the beach designated "Easy Red."

Dodging bullets and hiding behind pieces of steel, Capa photographed for hours in waist-deep water with several Contax cameras. His hands trembled, and he ruined many rolls of film as he tried to change film amid the dead and wounded of the battle. Capa did make his way to the shore, but soon after found himself jumping aboard a barge to rest and dry off, not realizing the boat was returning to its main ship. Capa didn't get back to shore again until the fighting had ended.

Capa's D-Day was sent directly to the offices of LIFE in London for processing. Hurrying to develop the rolls, a technician turned up the heat in the dryers, ruining many of the 72 images taken.

Daguerreotype of Mary Ann Warren

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:18:21 GMT

This beautiful daguerreotype by Boston-area photographer George K. Warren (1832–1884) is of the photographer's wife, Mary Ann Warren. The Photographic History Collection has a collection of letters, scrapbooks, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, cartes-de-visites, cabinet cards, other paper prints, and a college yearbook by Warren. This collection documents important aspects of his career, the role of his family in supporting his career, and his role in the rise of celebrity portraiture.

Daguerreotype of Unitarian Congregational Church, New York City

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:43:46 GMT

Daguerreotype of Unitarian Congregational Church, New York City. On the Washington Square campus of the New York University, Samuel F.B. Morse and Dr. John W. Draper operated together one of the first American photographic studios for a short time, from 1839 to the early 1840s. Collaborating on this quarter-plate daguerreotype, the partners achieved a clear photograph of the Unitarian Congregational Church of the Messiah, on the east side of Broadway across Waverly Place, New York City, from their rooftop studio in the fall of 1839 or winter of 1840. Morse quickly refocused his professional career on the perfection of a working telegraph, while Dr. Draper continued to work in scientific photography with his sons for the remainder of his academic career at the University.

Daniel Butterfield's Medal of Honor

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:41:36 GMT

1896 Pattern Medal of Honor awarded to Daniel Butterfield, “for distinguished gallantry in action at Gaines Mills, Va. June 27, 1862”

Perhaps best known as the composer of the bugle call "Taps," Daniel Butterfield began his Civil War service as a sergeant in the Washington, D.C., militia. Two weeks later he transferred to the 12th New York Militia as a colonel. He was commissioned brigadier and major general of the Volunteers and he commanded a division of the 5th Corps. He fought at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. Butterfield was wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, during the Peninsular Campaign; it was also at Gaines' Mill where he seized the flag of the 3rd Pennsylvania and rallied the troops, an act which eventually earned him a Medal of Honor. Butterfield later commanded successfully at Second Bull Run and Antietam, and also saw action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. During those campaigns he served as chief of staff, Army of the Potomac.

Butterfield is also credited with designing the system of corps badges, an idea which began with Major General Philip Kearney's order to his troops to sew a two-inch patch of red fabric to their hats in order to identify each other during the confusion of battle.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Darkroom Detectives

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:50:19 GMT

What can we learn about life in a sod house by looking at photographs? In this activity, students will analyze two photographs of families who lived in homes made of sod in order to answer questions about these families' lives. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Day of the Dead

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:05:00 GMT

This online exhibition provides information that will help students learn the origins of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), how it was been celebrated traditionally and how it is being celebrated now. The exhibition includes links to online resources as well as printable classroom-ready resources including: a fact sheet, lesson plans for grades K-2 and 6-8, and a user's guide that includes the text of the online exhibition, more lesson ideas and instructions for making decorations for the celebration. Also included is an online interactive in which students can decorate their own virtual altar.

Day of the Dead Festival

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:06:02 GMT

Learn different aspects of Día de los Muertos and how it is celebrated and practiced. The Smithsonian Latino Center (SLC) presents a Dia de los Muertos 3D experience in the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum (LVM) illustrating customs and beliefs varying from ancient Mesoamerica to those currently practiced in today's Latino culture. Join the SLC in celebrating and exploring Latino cultural heritage through this holiday for honoring the dead and the cycle of life and death.

Dear Mr. President

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:13:56 GMT

In this activity, students will analyze the letter Grace Bedell wrote to President Abraham Lincoln, then write and send their own letters to the president of the United States. This activity is included in an Ourstory module entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Defining the Presidency

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:24:07 GMT

Students will learn about the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and the election of our first president, George Washington in this section of the online exhibition, The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. Students will also explore President Washington's role in establishing the roles, traditions and expectations for future presidents.

Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:08:53 GMT

The Densho Project is a non-profit educational organization that preserves historical first-person accounts, photographs and documents in a digital archive. Digitally videotaped oral history interviews include personal experiences of immigration, family life, mass incarceration of Japanese Americans by their government during World War II, efforts to obtain redress for the denial of civil rights, and many other topics. This resource links past and present by providing primary and secondary source material on Japanese American experiences, as part of American history. The Densho Project works to educate future generations, collaborating with teachers and students in communities nationwide, preserving history, and inspiring people to act with respect, compassion and fairness.

Deringer Pistol

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:02:00 GMT

A small yet effective weapon, the deringer is the type of weapon a woman spying for the Confederacy might have kept in the pocket of a dress or in a handbag.

Design and Play a Drum

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:14:50 GMT

Make a drum from materials available at home or school. Look in your recycling bin for inspiration! This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Design Your Own Family Flag

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:06:55 GMT

In this activity, children will create their own family flag using colors and pictures that have personal meanings. They will then explain why they chose those colors and pictures and their meanings. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Design Your Own Monument

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:15:42 GMT

Build a monument and think about monuments in Washington, DC and the history those monuments celebrate. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Design Your Own Performance

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:44:35 GMT

In this lesson plan, students will analyze images relating to Celia Cruz and then design a performance to understand the role of aesthetics and style in the performing arts. This lesson is a resource included in the online exhibition entitled ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.

Digital History

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:40:57 GMT

This website is a comprehensive set of web based resources and activities suitable for students at every grade level. Produced through a collaborative partnership including the National Park Service, the University of Houston, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the Chicago Historical Society, the site features a digital textbook with hypertext links, virtual exhibits featuring letters, artwork and artifacts, an interactive timeline, a collection of e-lectures, inquiry based learning units, and an extensive collection of online resources like maps, charts, and primary sources.

Diner's Club Credit Card

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:52:14 GMT

Diner's Club was one of the earliest issuers of credit cards beginning in 1950. The convenience and security they came to represent transformed payment methods and later blossomed into one of the primary mechanisms for purchasing goods and services for customers. They also became a device for tracking spending patterns for consumers interested in managing their personal finances.

Discomforts of Travel: Samuel Kelly, English Sailor

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:57:44 GMT

Samuel Kelly was an English sailor, who recorded his experience of a voyage to Philadelphia in 1787. Listen to a dramatic reading of his narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Life at Sea: 1680 to 1806,” which includes five perspectives on maritime life in the colonial period and early America.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Discover and Protect Nature

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:44:46 GMT

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring changed the way people thought about their relationship to nature. Warning readers of the impact of man-made pesticides on birds, insects, and other wildlife, Carson’s book caused a firestorm of public responses and is considered by some experts to be a major moment in the modern environmental movement. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring this history through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World a picture-book biography, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Discovering Lewis and Clark

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:54:31 GMT

This website, produced by The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, is a comprehensive and fascinating history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Ten engaging discovery paths, containing primary source documents, journal excerpts, brief essays and aerial photography, will help students learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition through the lenses of history, geography, natural history and anthropology.

Distinguished Service Cross Medal

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:57:26 GMT

The Distinguished Service Cross, the DSC, is the second highest award for valor bestowed on a solider. President Woodrow Wilson established the award on January 2, 1918. The DSC is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor: while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

This Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to General John J. Pershing.

Dizzy Gillespie's B–flat Trumpet

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:46:33 GMT

This custom-made "Silver Flair" trumpet belonged to renowned trumpeter, bandleader, and composer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, a founder of the modern jazz style known as bebop. Renowned for his musical virtuosity and for his impish good humor and wit, Gillespie played this trumpet in the early 1980s. Its uniquely shaped upturned bell was Gillespie's internationally known trademark.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Document Detective

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:42:22 GMT

Historians gather information about the past by looking at primary sources. In this activity, students will practice using primary sources by to learn about slavery and the Underground Railroad by analyzing newspaper advertisements regarding runaway slaves from the Charleston Mercury. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Slave Life and the Underground Railroad. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Doodles, Drafts and Designs: Industrial Drawings from the Smithsonian

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:01:27 GMT

Students will learn about American industrial creativity by looking at industrial drawings, considering their aesthetic value as well as their importance to the design process. Engineers, inventors, and designers produce drawings as part of their creative process. They draw to work out and refine concepts and details. They draw to persuade. They draw to give direction. And they draw to record their ideas and to learn from others. An innovators gallery allows students to explore the achievements of a variety of American innovators-from designers and engineers to inventors and manufacturers. Students can also view all of the objects included in the exhibition or can examine a selected number of objects that have been placed in thematic categories. A resources page includes an extensive bibliography and a brief list of recommended websites.

Dorothy Overall's Flour Sack Bassinet Quilt

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:20:56 GMT

This bassinet quilt with a framed center design is made of high quality plain blue and white cotton feed sack fabrics. Mrs. Dorothy Overall of Caldwell, Kansas, a contestant in many sewing events in the 1950s and 1960s, pieced and appliquéd this quilt on a Pfaff sewing machine she had won in a contest. In 1959 she won the National Cotton Bag Sewing Contest, which included a vacation trip to Hollywood as part of the prize.

According to Mrs. Overall, cotton feed sack fabric was light enough for summer, almost as nice as percale, and the colors didn't fade. Cotton sacks for flour, animal feed, and other commodities were produced in many colors and prints. Flour and feed companies found that their sales were often influenced by the popularity of their sacks, which were used for clothes and household items.

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:13:57 GMT

Sixteen-year-old Judy Garland wore these sequined shoes as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz. In the original book by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy's magic slippers are silver; for the Technicolor movie, they were changed to ruby red to show up more vividly against the yellow-brick road. One of several pairs used during filming, these size-five shoes are well-worn, suggesting they were Garland's primary pair for dance sequences.

Doughboy Uniform

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:48:11 GMT

Enlisted soldier's uniform. The brown, doughy color of the uniform led to these soldiers being referred to as "doughboys," though the exact derivation of the nickname has been debated.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Down at the Shore

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:02:44 GMT

Field trips are great ways to learn about life on the water. In this activity, students will find and explore a local maritime area-a river, seashore, or another place related to the water, and share the experience with others. The activity guide includes printable tip sheets tailored to help you explore different kinds of water-related areas. Included in an OurStory module entitled Life on the Water, this activity is intended to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:32:16 GMT

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of America's celebrated heroes for his use of nonviolent protest strategies during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring history together through children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Martin's Big Words, an illustrated biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Draft Letter

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:28:40 GMT

The Union Conscription Act of March 3, 1863, provided that all able-bodied males between the ages of 20 and 45 were liable to military service, but a drafted man who furnished an acceptable substitute or paid the government $300 was excused.

Drafting the Declaration: The Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:29:44 GMT

This teacher resource challenges students to think about the Jefferson desk and the Declaration of Independence as objects that are valuable sources of historical information. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and lesson plans focusing on the Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence.

This resource is from The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

Dress for the Ponce Carnival

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:54:52 GMT

A vejigante is a person who dresses in costume to help celebrate Carnival in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In this activity, students will read about being a vejigante and then design their own Carnival costume. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Drive Through Time

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:02:02 GMT

In this interactive game, students use a virtual time machine to explore modes of transportation during four different eras and create a photo album of their trip using period photographs. This interactive is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn: Jazz Composers

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:33:43 GMT

Through brief biographies of the composers, primary source documents, and media clips, students will learn about the collaboration of these two great jazz composers and the process involved in writing and recording two of the most celebrated jazz pieces. This website examines two jazz standards, each one its author's most-recorded piece: Caravan, written in 1936 by Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol, and Take the "A" Train, composed in 1941 by Billy Strayhorn.

Duke Ellington and Jazz Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:34:25 GMT

Children and adults can enjoy exploring the story behind one of America’s pioneers of jazz music, Duke Ellington, through children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities. Focused around Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, a picture book biography of the Washington, DC native, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Dust Bowl Stories

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:16:51 GMT

Discuss the story of the Dust Bowl through images from photographer Arthur Rothstein, through song with Woody Guthrie's Dust Bowl ballads, and through text writings from President Roosevelt and farmer Caroline Henderson. Then, challenge students to consider modern environmental issues with a discussion of the 2012 drought and research on contemporary environmental issues. These lessons are designed to support viewing of the National Youth Summit on the Dust Bowl. The archived webcast is available here: http://americanhistory.si.edu/nys/national-youth-summit-dust-bowl

Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:08:43 GMT

This online exhibition features photographs taken along the trail, Shaffer’s diary from the 1948 hike, and maps he used. The exhibition also covers the conception and development of the Appalachian Trail and its larger cultural and environmental impact.

Earl Shaffer was the first person to walk the entire Appalachian Trail in one continuous hike. Shaffer had no expert advice, no previous footsteps to follow, or even guidebooks to help him. At the time, experts on the Appalachian Trail believed that a hike of the entire Trail was impossible. Shaffer started his walk in April 1948 at Mount Oglethorpe, Georgia, and completed the Trail four months later at Maine’s Mount Katahdin. Shaffer kept a diary, along with photographs taken along the way, to prove to skeptics that he had really accomplished what he claimed.

Eastern Indian Wars

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:10:56 GMT

Coveting what remained of the Indian lands in the Southeast and lower South, the United States forced tribes to cede their "rights of occupancy" and give up their ancestral homelands. Students will learn about the Creek Indian War and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and the policies that led to the Trail of Tears, one of the most tragic episodes in American history in this section of the online exhibition, Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of this page is available: Eastern Indian Wars.

Edison After Forty: The Challenge of Success

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:30:20 GMT

Students will learn about Thomas Edison's life in the years after he had become one of the most famous men in the world. At the age of 40, with major inventions behind him, Edison faced a new technical world, which he had helped to create, and the challenge of competing with his own success. This website takes the form of a photo exhibition and chronicles the latter half of Edison's life and career.

Edison Invents

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:30:20 GMT

Students will learn more about Thomas Alva Edison's creative genius. His mind gave us electric lights in our home and an entire system that produced and delivered electrical power. He was the first to record sound, and he also started the recording industry. Edison developed the first movie camera and produced the first movies. The website includes a biography of Edison, instructions on how to make a light bulb, and a list of related resources.

Edison's "New Year's Eve" Lamp

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:04:46 GMT

Thomas Edison used this carbon-filament bulb in the first public demonstration of his most famous invention, the first practical electric incandescent lamp, which took place at his Menlo Park, New Jersey, laboratory on New Year's Eve, 1879.

As the quintessential American inventor-hero, Edison personified the ideal of the hardworking self-made man. He received a record 1,093 patents and became a skilled entrepreneur. Though occasionally unsuccessful, Edison and his team developed many practical devices in his "invention factory," and fostered faith in technological progress.

Measurements: light bulb: 6 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.; 16.51 x 6.985 cm

Maker: Thomas Alva Edison

Date Made: 1879

Place Made: United States: New Jersey, Menlo Park

Credit Line: from General Electric Co.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Electric Streetcar, Capital Traction Co. # 303

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:33:07 GMT

The American Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri, built this 4-wheel, electric motor cars built for Capital Traction Company of Washington, D.C. The car was one of sixteen, and was designated number 303 and assigned to the 7th Street line, which ran from the Wharves to Boundary (now Florida Avenue). This car was used as a motor car and regularly pulled a light trailer car until its retirement from regular service in 1913. Single-truck cars like this one were replaced by larger, more comfortable double truck cars.

The first Washington streetcars were horse-drawn and went into service in 1862, much later than New York, Boston, or Philadelphia. Electric cars first appeared in 1888, and, by the turn of the century, nearly 200 miles of line were in operation. As in other large American cities, street-car traffic began to fall off in the 1920s because of the automobile. Large-scale abandonment began in the late 1950s, and early in 1962 the last streetcar ceased operation in the nation's capital.

Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin Model

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:28:19 GMT

In 1794, Eli Whitney patented a new kind of cotton gin. His invention, using rotating brushes and teeth to remove the seeds from cotton, was quickly pirated by others.
Southern plantation owners depended on slaves for labor-intensive crops such as rice, sugar, tobacco, and especially cotton. As the market demand for cotton increased in the early 1800s, the Southern cotton industry expanded dramatically, as did the system of slave labor it relied on.

Ella Fitzgerald Record

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:49:40 GMT

Over the course of her 60-year career, Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) became known to fans and colleagues as "The First Lady of Song." Her rise to international fame as a jazz and popular singer coincided with the rise of an American entertainment industry that brought music to millions through concerts, sound recordings, film, radio, and television. In 1938, Fitzgerald came up with the idea for song called "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," basing her lyric on a 19th-century nursery rhyme. Her 1938 Decca recording of the song in time became a million-seller.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Emancipation Proclamation Inkstand

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 22:15:18 GMT

Abraham Lincoln came to understand that to achieve a lasting peace, slavery must end. He had always opposed slavery, but had never sided with abolitionists who called for its immediate end. Lincoln had sought solutions that would make slavery gradually fade from white society—limit its location, sponsor compensation programs for slave owners, and relocate freed blacks outside the country. By mid-1862 Lincoln saw that a solution to slavery could not wait and that it had to address integrating freed African Americans into American society.

In the summer of 1862, Lincoln drafted an executive order on slavery. Published in September, it declared that, as of January 1, 1863, all persons held in slavery in areas still in rebellion would be “then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not directly free any enslaved people in Union-controlled areas, it was widely understood that a Union victory would mean the end of slavery.

This brass inkstand sat on the desk of Maj. Thomas Eckert in the War Department telegraph office. At the time, the War Department handled all the president’s telegrams, and Lincoln often stopped by to learn the latest news of the war. Years later Eckert would recall, “The President came to my office every day and invariably sat at my desk. . . . I became much interested . . . with the idea that he was engaged upon something of great importance, but did not know what it was until he had finished the document and then for the first time he told me that he had been writing an order giving freedom to the slaves of the South, for the purpose of hastening the end of the war. . . . I still have in my possession the inkstand which he used at the time.

En Español: ¡Azúcar! La Vida y Música de Celia Cruz

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:20:37 GMT

En esta exhibición por el Internet se puede investigar la vida de Celia Cruz. Un portento de talento con un sentido impecable de ritmo y un estilo inigualable, Celia Cruz llegó a ser una figura musical influyente y legendaria en su patria, Cuba, y en los Estados Unidos, su país adoptivo. Estudiantes asociarán a su vida por una variedad de temas, incluyendo la inmigración, la historia, la geografía, teoría de música, la historia de música, y el arte. Una versión imprimible de esta exhibición está disponible en http://americanhistory.si.edu/celiacruz/printable/index.asp?lang=yCW2263175096STQP.

En Español: Acerca de la Colección de Teodoro Vidal

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:57:14 GMT

En esta colección por el Internet, los estudiantes pueden investigar la historia de Puerto Rico por los ojos de Teodoro Vidal, un hombre quien capturó la historia de la isla con todos los objetos que coleccionó. La exhibición por el Internet provee información sobre el coleccionista, historia puertorriqueña, la vida cotidiana en Puerto Rico histórico, las religiones puertorriqueñas, Carnaval, música, y el concepto de la Gran Familia Puertorriqueña.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Enlaces

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:03:16 GMT

Enlaces a los sitios relatados a Puerto Rico, historia y cultura puertorriqueño, además la Colección de Teodoro Vidal. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Mapa Interactivo

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:58:13 GMT

Con este mapa interactivo, los estudiantes pueden investigar la isla y la cultura de Puerto Rico por los objetos e imágenes. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Bibliografía

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:05:15 GMT

Esta bibliografía incluye material relatado a la colección de Teodoro Vidal de objetos culturales de Puerto Rico. Incluido son libros para los adultos y los niños también. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Cronología Interactivo

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:05:41 GMT

Con este cronograma interactivo, los estudiantes pueden estudiar la historia y la cultura de Puerto Rico. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Glosario

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:04:52 GMT

Este glosario reproducible incluye los términos asociados con Puerto Rico, la historia y la cultura puertorriqueña, además la Colección de Teodoro Vidal. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal: Ver Todos Los Objectos

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:56:16 GMT

En esta colección por el Internet, los estudiantes pueden investigar la colección de Teodoro Vidal, uno de los coleccionistas más importantes de la cultura material puertorriqueña. Esta colección por el Internet contiene más que 50 objetos y fotografías relatados a la vida cotidiana, la religión, las celebraciones, y el arte en Puerto Rico del siglo 17 hasta el 20. Este recurso es parte del sitio titulado Una Visión de Puerto Rico: La Colección de Teodoro Vidal.

En Español: La Vida y Música de Celia Cruz: Su Música

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:26:02 GMT

Este recurso ofrece muestras de audio de la música de Celia Cruz, y los clips de vídeo de su vida y actuaciones. Además de la salsa, Celia Cruz interpró muchos géneros de las canciones afro-caribeños, entre ellos el son Cubano, la bomba y la plena Puertorriqueña, el merengue Dominicano, la cumbia Colombiana, la música Brasileña, el blues, el jazz, el rock & roll, y la música de baile como la rumba, el mambo, y la cuaracha. Su repertorio ha exhibido el poder de su voz, así como su habilidad y dominio de las complejidades rítmicas.

Encrusted Bugle

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:14:42 GMT

Physical Description
Oxidized metal bugle.

Specific History
This bugle was salvaged from the wreck of the USS Maine.

General History
USS Maine was a second-class battleship built between 1888 and 1895. It was sent to Havana, Cuba, in January 1898 to protect American interests during the native revolt against the Spanish government. On the evening of February 15, 1898, the Maine sank when its forward gunpowder magazines exploded. Nearly three-quarters of the battleship's crew died. American popular opinion blamed the Spanish for the sinking of the Maine and war followed within a few months. In 1912 the Maine's wreck was raised to clear the harbor and to facilitate an investigation into the cause of the sinking. The remains were subsequently scuttled in deep waters north of Havana.

English Sea Pattern Pistol

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:35:02 GMT

Physical Description
English sea pattern pistol, .71 caliber.

Specific History
This pistol was made in Belgium for the Royal Navy.

English Sword

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:35:31 GMT

English sword used during the French and Indian War.

ENIAC Accumulator #2

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:57:26 GMT

The ENIAC was a large, general-purpose digital computer built to compute ballistics tables for U.S. Army artillery during World War II. Occupying a room 30 feet by 50 feet, ENIAC—the Electrical Numerical Integrator and Computer—weighed 30 tons and used some 18,000 vacuum tubes. It could compute 1,000 times faster than any existing device. Technicians used external plug wires, like those shown here, to program the machine.

Enlisted Man's Forage Cap, Model 1858

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:35:58 GMT

The forage cap was introduced just in time to become the signature headgear of the Civil War soldier. This model was the most popular worn by the Union army, officers and enlisted men alike.

Enlistment Papers of John Edwards

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:36:28 GMT

Enlistment paper of John Edwards in His Majesty's Provincial Service, 1760.

Environmental Button

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:47:30 GMT

The Environmental Movement

This button depicts the ecology symbol, a small letter “e” inside the larger letter “O,” the letters standing for “environment” and “organism.” Cartoonist Ron Cobb invented the symbol in 1969. The ecology symbol appeared in a green U.S. flag for the first time in the April 21, 1970 issue of Look magazine.

European Theater During World War II

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:46:49 GMT

Newsreel video footage from 1944 and 1945, showing the Allies prepare and carry out the invasion of Normandy, the liberation of Paris, Battle of the Bulge and the eventual fall of the Third Reich and surrender of Germany.
This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Battle of the Bulge:Americans Respond to a German Surprise lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Exile: Cuba and the United States

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:44:35 GMT

In this lesson plan, students will research the events of the Cuban revolution and their effect on U.S.-Cuban relations and U.S. foreign policy by utilizing Celia Cruz's personal experience. They will then prepare a story about the revolution as if they were members of a television news team reporting on the events of the time. This lesson is a resource included in the online exhibition entitled ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.

Exploration Map

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:07:00 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will learn about the exploration of the West through the use an interactive map, biographical sketches and brief descriptions of the expeditions undertaken by graduates of West Point. The U.S. Army played a key role in exploring the nation's vast new lands acquired through purchase and conquest during the first half of the nineteenth century. Military-scientific expeditions crisscrossed the West, mapping the country, gathering scientific data, identifying potential resources for exploitation, and surveying routes for roads and railroads. The Exploration Map is part of the online exhibition, West Point in the Making of America.

Explore Pueblo Pots

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:58:53 GMT

In this hands-on activity, students will learn the meaning of imagery on two Pueblo pots by examining images and reading short excerpts from Native American folklore. They will then design their own pots by creating symbols and will explain the meaning of the symbols. The decorations on Pueblo pots are great examples of how objects can help us learn about the culture and beliefs of people from the past. Originally created to transport and store water, the symbols with which the pots were decorated have become invaluable historical sources.

This activity is included in an OurStory module entitled Pueblo Pots. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Explore Your Theater

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:45:03 GMT

Field trips to a theater or dance studio are great ways to learn about performing arts in your neighborhood. In this activity, students will use discussion prompts and extension activity ideas to make the most of their visit. This activity is part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Exploring Perception and Reality in the Story of the Hawaiian Islands

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:09:46 GMT

Uncover the story of the Hawaiian Islands through artifacts, images, audio, and text. This page features a short introductory essay, audio clips related to specific museum artifacts, and an enhanced podcast.

In the podcast, two curators discuss the stories behind several artifacts related to Hawai'i. Their discussion covers immigration, the popularization of Hawai'i as a tourist destination, and Hawaii's agricultural origins. Finally, they encourage students to consider perception and reality in the context of their own communities.

Exploring the Gettysburg Address

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:11:24 GMT

This resource for teachers includes tips for how to use the interactive document tool in the online exhibition The Gettysburg Address, suggested discussion questions based on the speech, and other recommended resources related to the Gettysburg Address. Students will closely examine a copy of the Gettysburg Address written in Lincoln's hand and will be encouraged to think critically about the meanings and context of one of America's most famous speeches.

Exploring the Sky Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:45:48 GMT

People around the world have studied the stars and shared stories through constellations and astrology. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring history together through children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Maria's Comet, a work of children's literature about a young girl who longs to study the stars, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Extract DNA

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:16:15 GMT

DNA is inside the cells of every living thing, including you. This experiment lets you see the long, twisting molecules of DNA inside cells. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, a worksheet for documenting the experiment, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Extraordinary Evidence

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:02:10 GMT

In this lesson plan, students will review an online exhibition, conduct historical research using artifacts and primary source documents, and develop group presentations that discuss ways that Abraham Lincoln's life was extraordinary. This lesson plan is one of the resources connected with the online exhibition entitled Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life.

Falsified Passport

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:25:27 GMT

This Thai passport was seized in the well-publicized 1995 El Monte, Calif., sweatshop raid. The passport is part of a larger Smithsonian collection of artifacts documenting apparel industry sweatshops, focusing on the El Monte operation (72 workers were discovered working as slaves). With a legitimate U.S. visa, the passport looks official. In fact, the El Monte operators doctored a real passport, inserting a new photo into someone else's document, in order to smuggle workers into the country.

Family Fallout Shelter

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:51:53 GMT

The family fallout shelter represents the public policy assumptions of the atomic age, namely, that with enough preparation, the American family and with it the nation's social and political fabric would survive a nuclear attack. This free-standing, double-hulled steel shelter was installed beneath the front yard of Mr. and Mrs. Murland E. Anderson of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Andersons purchased their shelter from J. L. Haverstock, a Ft. Wayne realtor who began selling family fallout shelters as a sideline in early 1955 after reading a promotional Life magazine article.

The Andersons maintained the shelter from its installation in 1955 through the 1960s, a period spanning the development of the hydrogen bomb and the Cuban missile crisis. Insufficiently anchored against Ft. Wayne's high water table when first installed, the shelter popped to the surface of the Anderson front yard in time for the Cuban missile crisis and was quickly reinterred in a frenzy of shelter building activity in 1961. The donors purchased the property, including the shelter, from the Andersons in 1968.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Family Photo Album

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:53:29 GMT

Family photograph albums hold the history of generations, preserving the memories of birthdays, holidays, travels, and all general aspects of life. African American Mary Taylor used her 35mm Bell and Howell camera to document her family's life in the black community of Los Angeles, California, during the mid-20th century. She turned a discarded wallpaper sample book into a treasured family heirloom.

Taylor's family photographs including 19th-century tintypes, turn-of-the-century hand-colored portraits, and albums from the 1950s to the 1970s provide insight into the African American experience in the United States over the past century.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Fast Attacks and Boomers: Submarines in the Cold War

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:26:31 GMT

This website reviews the early history of submarines and their radical transformation after World War II. Students will learn how submarines were built, how they work, and what they do. They will also learn the story of submariners and their families, Americans who were on the front lines of the Cold War. This resource also includes a cold war timeline that covers the origins, major events, and the end of the Cold War.

Faustin, First Emperor of Haiti

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:22:55 GMT

Image of Emperor Faustin of Haiti, 1852. Faustin ruled from 1847-1849 as president, and from 1849-1859 as emperor before being forced to abdicate.

FDR and Polio

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:29:22 GMT

When Franklin Roosevelt contracted polio in 1921, at age thirty-nine, it inspired his interest in medical philanthropy. Students will learn about his efforts in the fight against polio including the founding of the Warm Springs Foundation in Warm Springs, Georgia and the Birthday Ball fundraisers that later became the March of Dimes philanthropy. FDR and Polio is part of the online exhibition, Whatever Happened to Polio?

Feedsack Dress

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:43:25 GMT

Life on America's farms in the 1920s and 1930s meant hard work and frugal habits. Farm families were used to "making do" with what they had, wasting nothing that could be recycled or reused. With feed sacks and flour bags, farmwomen took thriftiness to new heights of creativity, transforming the humble bags into dresses, underwear, towels, curtains, quilts, and other household necessities.

Field Gun Captured at Saratoga

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:36:27 GMT

Fought in 1777 in northern New York state, the Battle of Saratoga was a major battle of the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold, who had not yet turned traitor, was a leader of the American offensive, which forced the surrender of British troops under General John Burgoyne. In the first battle at Saratoga, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. In the second battle, British losses were four to one. The rebels' victory was overwhelming. After many negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17, 1777.

Fife

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:31:20 GMT

This fife from the period of the American Revolution was unearthed on Red Bank battleground in 1800 near the New Jersey Monument.

Final Farewells: Signing a Yearbook on the Eve of the Civil War

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:41:44 GMT

In lesson from the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, students examine a primary source that might seem both familiar and strange: a yearbook from Rutgers in 1860, complete with farewell messages from classmates. On close study, the messages from reveal much about the complexities of the “brothers’ war.” This resource includes a timeline of national events during the students' time at Rutgers.

Find Grace's Family

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:09:43 GMT

In this activity, children will analyze a primary source document–Grace Bedell's letter to Abraham Lincoln–and look for hints about Grace and her family. They will then draw a picture to represent the information they found in this activity, part of an OurStory module entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

First Aid Pouch

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:58:54 GMT

Model 1910 first-aid pouch designed to be worn on the soldier's utility belt.

First Confederate National Flag

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:08:06 GMT

The Confederate States of America’s first national flag was also known as the “Stars & Bars.” This flag flew from 1861 to 1863. Each of the eight stars represented a Confederate state in March 1861 when the flag was adopted.

First Ladies at the Smithsonian Homepage

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:58:30 GMT

In addition to artifacts and background information on the first ladies, this website features thematic overviews of the many roles of the first ladies, a timeline of first ladies, and behind-the-scenes details on the history of the first ladies exhibitions at the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's first ladies collection includes material related to their social and political activities as well as their gowns.

First Lady for the Environment Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:23:43 GMT

Learn more about First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson and her work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. This module from the OurStory program includes active reading suggestions and discussion questions for the illustrated biography Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers, by Kathi Appelt.

First Person Account: Clarence Sasser

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:46:26 GMT

Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, Clarence Sasser recounts his war experience.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the The Soldiers Experience lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Eugenia Phillips

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:22:33 GMT

Eugenia Phillips, a Southern spy, tells of her encounter with Union troops trying to incriminate her.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Women's Role in the Civil War lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Fred Castleberry

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:44:18 GMT

Fred Castleberry, an US infantryman in Vietnam, tells how a Huey saved his life after he was wounded in battle.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the The Soldiers Experience lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.

First Person Account: George Ballentine

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:01:05 GMT

George Ballentine, a British volunteer in the United States Army during the Mexican War, tells of fighting at Cerro Gordo.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Hal Moore

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:43:02 GMT

Hal Moore, the commander of a cavalry regiment, summarizes the role of the Huey in Vietnam.

First Person Account: Jose Maria y Mendivil

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:32:49 GMT

Jose Maria Tornel y Mendivil, Mexico's secretary of war, warns that Mexico's loss of Texas may lead to other territorial losses to the United States.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:32:49 GMT

Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid, acting governor of New Mexico, expresses the pain of changing loyalty from Mexico to the United States.

First Person Account: Louis Myers

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:45:01 GMT

Louis Myers, a Union Soldier from West Virginia, describes changes in his perspectives about War.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Lydia Post

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:22:20 GMT

Lydia Minturn Post, a Long Island patriot, expresses her fear that the American Revolution will fail. Ms. Post discusses the disparities between the British and Colonial forces and the true meaning behind the colonists will to fight.
This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the General George Washington, Military leader lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Spotswood Rice

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:45:31 GMT

Spotswood Rice, an African American Union soldier, threatens the Southern woman who holds his daughter as a slave.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Comparing Confederate and Union Troops lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Ulysses S. Grant, American Soldier

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:30:46 GMT

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States, looks back on his opposition to the Mexican War in his memoirs.

First Person Account: William Christie

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:46:21 GMT

Willian G. Christie, a Union Soldier from Minnesota, relates his disgust over prejudice against black soldiers in his unit.

Fishing For a Living 1840-1920

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:53:37 GMT

Students will learn about the importance of salmon fishing to the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, and the communities that developed around the Atlantic cod, Chesapeake oyster, Columbia River salmon and whaling industries in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Oceans, seacoasts, and rivers have long been sources of food and profit. From tiny villages to bustling seaports, communities have harvested fish, whales, and other marine resources to survive.

Five-String Fretless Banjo

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:36:09 GMT

Although some know of the banjo's use by African Americans, the popular consciousness of the banjo has been dominated by images of white Southern musicians and urban folk singers. But the story is more complex. The banjo migrated from Africa to America in the hands and memories of slaves. Through the popularity and commercialization of minstrelsy in the nineteenth century, white musicians adopted the instruments and it was transformed into a popular mass-produced and mass-marketed product of the manufacturing and entertainment industries.

Flight 93 National Memorial

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:46:12 GMT

This site from the National Park Service provides information on the memorial design; guides for parents, children, and young adults designed to facilitate conversation about the events of 9/11 and the meaning of the memorial; a video of interviews with former students from Shanksville-Stonycreek School, near the crash site; a virtual tour; and visitor information.

Flight to Freedom: Caribbean Rafters

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:21:55 GMT

The lure of economic opportunity and political freedom in the 20th century enticed many Caribbean people to attempt the risky journey to the United States aboard rafts and other flimsy vessels. Those arriving from communist Cuba were generally given refugee status and allowed to stay, while most from Haiti and other impoverished areas were returned.

Foods from Far Away

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:22:34 GMT

A field trip to the grocery store can give you a look at how traditional foods from around the world are now part of American culture. In this activity, students will use discussion prompts and a worksheet to make the most of their visit. This activity is part of an OurStory module entitled Coming to America. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:53:23 GMT

This website from the National Park Service is a helpful resource for anyone who is interested in visiting Fort McHenry or learning more about it. A photo gallery and brief historical essays describe the fort, its defenders and the various roles that Fort McHenry has played in different periods of American history, from its construction to the present day. Kids and teachers sections include lesson plans, field trip planning guides and suggested activities for visitors.

Fortieth Anniversary of Apollo 11: Commemorating the First Human Steps on the Moon

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:37:48 GMT

In this website from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, students will find an array of resources relating to the first human exploration of the moon's surface. With a focus on the Museum's collection of objects relating to the Apollo 11 mission, this website gives students a unique view of the mission that took humans to the moon. The website is highlighted by a collection of Apollo 11 objects that students can comment on, an interactive timeline, videos relating to the mission, and a special Share Your Story section in which students can share their impressions of the exploration of the moon. Also included are links to other resources related to the mission.

Forty-Saw Cotton Gin

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:54:07 GMT

This 40-saw cotton gin and the wooden gearing came from a farm formerly owned by the Augustus C. Smith family in Monroe County, G. The gin shed was built around 1840 and operated until approximately 1900. The gin stand was probably built in the decade following the Civil War; it bears no manufacturer's name or other identification.

Frank Brownell's Medal of Honor

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:55:30 GMT

Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Frank E. Brownell, private, Company A, 11th New York Infantry. On May 24, 1861, Brownell killed John Marshall, the murderer of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth.

Freedom Songs

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:10:29 GMT

Songs played an important role during the civil rights movement. In this activity, students will listen to freedom songs and then make their own version of one of the songs. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

French Charleville Model 1763 Flintlock Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:33:42 GMT

During the American War of Independence the French government supplied large quantities of muskets to the Continental army. Several arsenals in France produced muskets but the Charleville Model 1763 was the most common and soon all French muskets were referred to as "Charlevilles." In March 1777, some 25,000 Charleville muskets were received from France. George Washington implemented a resolution by the Continental Congress to stamp firearms as United States property to reduce theft.

French Halberd

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:57:12 GMT

The halberd was a versatile pole arm developed as an infantry weapon in the 13th century. It has an ax-like blade and a steel spike mounted on the end of a long shaft. By the time of the Seven Years War it was carried by sergeants as a symbol of rank and authority.

French Officer's Sword

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:34:36 GMT

This artifact is part of the large collection of firearms and militaria from the Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson collection.

Fresnel Lighthouse Lens

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:09:55 GMT

In the early nineteenth century, lighthouses in the United States were considered inferior to those in France and England. American mariners complained about the quality of the light emanating from local lighthouse towers, arguing that European lighthouses were more effective at shining bright beams of light over long distances. While American lighthouses relied on lamps and mirrors to direct mariners, European lighthouses were equipped with compact lenses that could shine for miles.
In 1822, French scientist Augustin-Jean Fresnel was studying optics and light waves. He discovered that by arranging a series of lenses and prisms into the shape of a beehive, the strength of lighthouse beams could be improved. His lens—known as the Fresnel lens—diffused light into beams that could be visible for miles. Fresnel designed his lenses in several different sizes, or orders. The first order lens, meant for use in coastal lighthouses, was the largest and the strongest lens. The sixth order lens was the smallest, designed for use in small harbors and ports.
By the 1860s, all of the lighthouses in the United States were fitted with Fresnel lenses. This lens came from a lighthouse on Bolivar Point, near Galveston, Texas. Galveston was the largest and busiest port in nineteenth-century Texas. Having a lighthouse here was imperative – the mouth of the bay provided entry to Houston and Texas City, as well as inland waterways. The Bolivar Point Light Station had second and third order Fresnel lenses over the years; this third order lens was installed in 1907. Its light could be seen from 17 miles away.
On 16-17 August 1915, a severe hurricane hit Galveston. As the storm grew worse, fifty to sixty people took refuge in the Bolivar Point Light Station. Around 9:15 PM, the light’s turning mechanism broke, forcing assistant lighthouse keeper J.B. Brooks to turn the Fresnel lens by hand. By 10 PM, the vibrations from the hurricane were so violent that Brooks began to worry the lens might shatter. He ceased turning the lens, trimmed the lamp wicks and worked to maintain a steady light through the night. The next morning, Brooks left the lighthouse to find Bolivar Point nearly swept away by the water.
Bolivar Point Light Station used this Fresnel lens until 1933. It was donated to the Smithsonian Institution by the National Park Service.

From Ellis Island to Orchard Street

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:44:33 GMT

This online exhibition, produced by the Tenement Museum, allows students to play the role of an immigrant to New York City in the early twentieth century. Students will learn about the immigration experience by creating an indentity and making decisions about making a living and making a living in the Lower East Side. Video clips of an an actress playing the role of an immigrant add context and give students helpful advice. Panoramic photographs of rooms in a tenement apartment give students a unique perspective into the lives of immigrants in the early twentieth century. This website was a 2009 Museums and the Web Best of the Web Award nominee.

From Many, One: Maria Isabel Solis Thomas, Shipyard Worker

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:32:43 GMT

Maria Isabel Solis Thomas moved across the country to work in a shipyard on the World War II home front. Listen to her story, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Maritime Voices: Merchant Mariners and Shipyard Workers Remember WWII,” which includes four perspectives on non-military service during World War II.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

From Segregation to Sit-ins: The Greensboro Woolworth Lunch Counter

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:38:06 GMT

This teacher's resource challenges students to think about the Greensboro Woolworth's lunch counter and it's importance to the Civil Rights movement. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and 3 lesson plans focused on segregation and the Civil Rights movement. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to the themes highlighted in the activities.

This activity is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

From the Internet to Outer Space

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:25:30 GMT

Scientists have had to record their observations in different ways throughout time. Use Google Sky to explore the sky, then share your observations through sketches and figurative language. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Exploring the Sky, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Full Steam to Freedom

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:14:43 GMT

Robert Smalls was born a slave in South Carolina, but made a daring escape to freedom on the ship CSS Planter and joined the Union in fighting to end slavery in America. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring one aspect of the Civil War. Focused on actively reading Seven Miles to Freedom, an illustrated biography of Robert Smalls, this module also includes links to a related outdoor game, classroom-based newspaper investigation and online exploration.

Fused Gold Coins

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:06:09 GMT

Gold coins fused by heat.

Specific History
This pile of five-peseta coins was fused together by the fire aboard the Spanish ship Infanta Maria Teresa, flagship of Admiral Pascual Cervera.

General History
Infanta Maria Teresa led the sortie out of Santiago Bay on July 3, 1898. As the flagship of Admiral Pascual Cervera, it drew the bulk of the American fire. The Teresa was seriously damaged and on fire. An attempt was made to ram Commodore Winfield Schley's flagship, USS Brooklyn, but when that failed, Admiral Cervera ran theTeresa ashore, allowing his crew to be saved. Despite being ravaged by fire and magazine explosions, the United States Navy believed the Teresa was salvageable. It was refloated and taken to Guantanamo Bay for preliminary repairs. As it was towed to Norfolk, Virginia, for rebuilding, it was caught in a tropical storm. The tow line was cut, and the Teresa was lost at sea.

Fused Minie Balls

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:00:31 GMT

These two minie balls from opposing sides met head-on during fierce fighting at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862.

Game Boy

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:03:29 GMT

The Nintendo Game Boy was released in 1989. It was a handheld video game console that combined aspects of Nintendos successful Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) television video game console with their earlier handheld electronic games marketed under the name “Game & Watch.”

Gateway to the 19th Century: The William Steinway Diary Homepage

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:21:59 GMT

Beginning eight days after the first shots of the American Civil War were fired and three days before his wedding, William Steinway’s remarkable diary bears witness to one of the most dynamic periods in American history. This website examines the life of William Steinway and the display of his diary at the Smithsonian.

General George Washington, Military Leader

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:35:34 GMT

Use artifacts and a historical letter to discuss George Washington’s leadership during the War of Independence and the qualities of great leaders. This lesson plan, which includes background information, full color primary sources, and a transcript of a letter about George Washington, was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

General William T. Sherman's Campaign Hat

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:05:16 GMT

During the Civil War, officers wore many types of hats, more often non-regulation than regulation. This example of a regulation army hat was worn by General William T. Sherman. Although a native of Ohio, William Tecumseh Sherman remains inextricably linked with Georgia and the burning of Atlanta.

General William T. Sherman's Sword

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:08:33 GMT

General William T. Sherman wore this Model 1850 staff and field officer's sword during the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, April 6–8, 1862.

George Washington Farewell Address Candle Stand

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:40:54 GMT

According to family tradition, President Washington worked on his Farewell Address by the light of this brass candle stand. The reflector magnifies the light of the candles in adjustable candlesticks. The back of the reflector is lined with green silk. The candle stand and other relics of George and Martha Washington were sold to the United States government in 1878 by the Lewis family (descendents of George Washington's nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and Martha Washington's granddaughter, Nelly Custis Lewis)...

George Washington's Battle Sword and Scabbard

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:36:20 GMT

George Washington wore this simple hanger as his battle sword while serving as commander of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Made in Fishkill, New York, by John Bailey, an immigrant cutler from Sheffield, England, the sword has a slightly curved, grooved steel blade, silver-mounted cross guard and pommel, and a green ivory grip.

George Washington's Camp Chest

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:02:53 GMT

George Washington's well-appointed personal camp chest, or "mess kit," enabled him to dine in a manner reflecting his position as commander of the Continental Army.

George Washington's Epaulettes

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:03:27 GMT

These epaulettes were worn by George Washington and can be seen in life portraits painted by celebrated American artist Charles Wilson Peale between 1779 and 1780.

George Washington's Uniform

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:02:22 GMT

This blue wool coat is part of a suit of regimentals made for George Washington in 1789. It has a buff wool rise-and-fall collar, buff cuffs and lapels, and buff lining; there is a row of yellow metal buttons on each lapel, as well as on each cuff. The waistcoat and breeches are matching buff wool, with gilt buttons.

This uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat, and knee breeches was initially donated to the Columbian Institute; in 1841, it was transferred to the National Institute and housed in the Patent Office. It came to the Smithsonian in 1883 from the Patent Office collection, and has been on display almost continuously. (From the years 1942 to 1944, during World War II, the Smithsonian packed up many of its treasured artifacts, including this uniform, and sent them to the Shenandoah Valley for safekeeping.)

This uniform was worn by George Washington from 1789 until his death in 1799; the small clothes, or breeches and waistcoat, date from the revolutionary period.

Washington often posed for life portraits during this period, and was often depicted wearing this uniform. An example is the watercolor portrait on ivory painted by John Ramage in 1789; it is the first known depiction of this uniform in a portrait of Washington.

In December 1798, Washington was recorded wearing this uniform when he visited Philadelphia on Provisional Army duty. He wore a similar uniform when he was commissioned by the Continental Congress as commander in chief of the Continental army. None of his uniforms from the Revolutionary War period are known to have survived.

When George Washington was an aide to General Edward Braddock he paid special attention to the way the British general maintained his rank and deportment. Washington believed that in order to command effectively, an officer must convey character and leadership through appearance as well as action. As the leader of the Continental army, Washington wanted these troops to present themselves as a professional military organization and a proper uniform was one way of showing a unified front. In commemoration of Washington’s attention to detail, the colors of blue and buff remained the accepted pattern for U.S. Army uniforms until the beginning of the Civil War.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Get a "Sense" of It

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:55:38 GMT

What would life have been like in a sod house? This group of activities will allow students to use their senses to see, smell, and feel what it would have been like to live on the prairie long ago. Included in an OurStory module, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Get Creative with Nanoscale Inventions

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:16:50 GMT

Make nano-art and think about its connection to modern technology. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Go Back in Time

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:39:30 GMT

In this interactive game, students will match primary source materials and museum artifacts to the appropriate time period in order to learn about the everyday lives of Americans from different eras of our nation's history. This activity is one of the educational resources included in the online exhibition entitled Within These Walls.

Go For Broke Educational Foundation

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:10:52 GMT

A division of the 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation.

Incorporated in 1989, the 100th/442nd/MIS WWII Memorial Foundation was established by Japanese American World War II veterans to build the Go For Broke Monument as an eternal tribute to the heroics of the segregated Japanese American units. The Monument, located in Downtown Los Angeles at Temple Avenue and Alameda, was unveiled in June 1999 and presented as a gift to the City of Los Angeles. With the Go For Broke Monument built, the Foundation is establishing itself with a new vision and mission as the “Go For Broke Educational Foundation.” The Foundation's educational programs expose students and teachers to the involvement of Japanese American soldiers in World War II, the Japanese American internment and the civil liberties issues raised by these events. To date, the Foundation has set up several programs including: teacher training workshops, Hanashi Oral History Program, and several media projects.

Gorget

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:15:36 GMT

A gorget is an ornamental plate that adorns the neck. Gorgets and printed testimonials were among the items given to Indian allies.

GoSmithsonian- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Visit the sites and artifacts that inspired the film, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. This website, from GoSmithsonian, includes images and information about the objects that were included in the movie. Interactive and printable treasure maps to help visitors locate the artifacts that were used in the movie as they visit Smithsonian museums. A backstage tour includes interviews with the actors and director of the film and historical information about the characters portrayed in the movie. Also included are links to Smithsonian.com articles about the connections between Hollywood and museums.

Got Ramps? Architectural Barriers Game

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:27:32 GMT

This activity will help students understand how polio affected the lives of Americans throughout the 20th century. Got Ramps? illustrates the changes in architectural barriers between 1955 and 2005, before and after the Architectural Barriers Act (1968) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). Playing the part of a wheelchair user, students choose a postcard and make the decisions required to deliver it to the post office. They can then email the virtual postcard to someone that they know. This game is part of the online exhibition, Whatever Happened to Polio?

Gouverneur Warren's Expedition

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:22:17 GMT

Join Gouverneur Warren on his 1856 expedition into the American frontier and identify the specimens he sent back to the Smithsonian for study and classification in this interactive activity. Students will begin by reading a letter that Warren sent to the Smithsonian and will then match specimens to the locations that they were found on a map of Warren's expeditions. A wonderful example of object-based learning, this activity will help students learn more about the connections between science, history and the work of museums. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled West Point in the Making of America.

Grand Army of the Republic Medal and Ribbon Device

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:13:41 GMT

Badge from the Pennsylvania GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) veterans group’s semiannual encampment on the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Great Seal of the Confederacy

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:14:09 GMT

Seal with an equestrian portrait of George Washington, surrounded by a wreath composed of the principal agricultural products of the Confederacy including cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, wheat, and rice. Embossed around the edge, "The Confederate States of America: 22 February, 1862" and the motto Deo Vindice, or "God will vindicate."

Great Women of Our Pasts Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:24:27 GMT

This OurStory module, entitled Great Women of Our Pasts, includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings related to the topic of women's history. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Greenhorn Sailor: John Jea, African American Preacher and Sailor

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:00:12 GMT

When John Jea joined a ship’s crew in 1806, he was not prepared for the dangerous conditions, hard work, and preparation necessary for life at sea. Listen to a dramatic reading of his narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Life at Sea: 1680 to 1806,” which includes five perspectives on maritime life in the colonial period and early America.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Greensboro Lunch Counter

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:05:02 GMT

On February 1, 1960, four African American college students--Ezell A. Blair, Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan), Franklin E. McCain, Joseph A. McNeil, and David L. Richmond--sat down at this "whites only" lunch counter at the Woolworth's store in Greensboro, North Carolina, and politely asked for service. Their request was refused, and when asked to leave, the students remained in their seats in protest.

For the six months that followed, hundreds of students, civil rights organizations, churches, and members of the community joined the protest and boycotted the store. Their commitment ultimately led to the desegregation of the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter on July 25, 1960. Their peaceful sit-down was a watershed event in the struggle for civil rights and helped ignite a youth-led movement to challenge racial inequality throughout the South.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Groovin' to Jazz 12-15

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:02:52 GMT

In this music activity, students will learn how to listen to and appreciate authentic jazz recordings by listening to fifteen recordings by jazz greats and reading brief introductions that discuss the relevance of the songs as well as how to listen to them.

Groovin' to Jazz 8-13

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:50:39 GMT

In this music activity, students will learn how to listen to and appreciate authentic jazz recordings by listening to sixteen recordings by jazz greats and reading brief introductions that discuss the relevance of the songs as well as how to listen to them.

Guide to Doing History with Objects

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:23:00 GMT

This essay will tell students how to look closely at artifacts and how to think about the ways they shape and reflect our history. Artifacts—the objects we make and use—are part of American history. If we know how to look at them, they can be sources for better understanding our history. While textbooks focus on the great documents of the American past, or the important events, artifacts can show us another kind of history, another way of approaching the past. It is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

Guidelines for Discussion about 9/11

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:47:45 GMT

This guide from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum offers suggestions for teachers on how to prepare for and structure conversations about 9/11 with students of all ages.

Guidon of the Second Regiment Light Dragoons

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:01:45 GMT

This artifact is one of three known surviving components of a suite of four, and possibly five, colors carried by the Second Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons during the Revolutionary War. Although no definitive order has survived specifying the number of colors to be carried by a regiment of Continental Light Dragoons--nor for that matter respecting the colors to be carried by a regiment of Continental infantry--research into the subject of Continental regimental colors indicates that at least two and as many as five colors were considered appropriate for each infantry or cavalry regiment.

Other surviving regimental colors of the Second Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons are: 1. National Standard, captured by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, July 2, 1779, at Bedford and Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York. Sold at auction June 14, 2006, by Sotheby's New York, to undisclosed individual in the United States. 2. Blue or Regimental Standard, owned by the Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecticut.

This guidon was referenced in the Memoir of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadgepublished by the Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York in 1904. This "pink" standard was known to be in the possession of Mr. F. E. Harper of New York City (reference from Gherardi Davis,Regimental Colors in the War of the Revolution [1907]).

The guidon was later referenced in American and French Flags of the Revolution 1775-1783, by F. E. Shermerhorn (1948) as having been owned by Senator Morgan G. Bulkeley, but "in some curious fashion, never explained, this flag disappeared and its whereabouts is not known...."

The artifact was donated to the Smithsonian in 1968 by the Estate of Emily Howell Wilkins, daughter of Emily Howell, who was the daughter of Mary Tallmadge of New York City. Research as to family lineage has not been completed.

General History
The Second Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Tallmadge's Dragoons, was named for Major Benjamin Tallmadge. Commissioned on June 20, 1776, he was eventually promoted to the rank of colonel, and became the chief intelligence officer for George Washington.

He organized the "Culper" spy ring on Long Island and in New York City in 1778 when asked by General George Washington. The city was then occupied by a strong British force under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton. Members of the Culper network also kept Clinton's headquarters under constant surveillance and were able to report to Tallmadge any loyalists posing as patriots who visited the British commander. In 1780, the network's information saved a French army marching to Washington's aid.

Physical Description
Pink silk with oil paint. The canton consists of seven silver and six pink stripes. The center of the guidon is a painted badge of a winged and fulminating thundercloud with ten gold-colored thunderbolts emanating like rays of the sun. Under the badge is a silver scroll with the motto "PATa CONCITa FULMnt NATI"; a rough translation is: "The fatherland/country calls/expects its sons to respond with/in tones of thunder."

Specific History
Squadron Guidon or Color, Second Regiment of Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Tallmadge's Dragoons.

Gunston Hall

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:33:30 GMT

Gunston Hall's website is an excellent resource to help students and teachers research the life of George Mason. The resources included are a virtual tour of Gunston Hall and its surrounding grounds, timelines demonstrating George Mason's role in the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention of 1787, an extensive online artifacts collection search and downloadable primary source documents written by George Mason. A section for educators provides classroom resources for teachers.

Hanoi Hilton Pajamas

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:06:09 GMT

From 1961 to 1973, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong held hundreds of Americans captive. In North Vietnam alone, more than a dozen prisons were scattered in and around the capital city of Hanoi. American POWs gave them nicknames: Alcatraz, Briarpatch, Dirty Bird, the Hanoi Hilton, the Zoo. Conditions were appalling; food was watery soup and bread, prisoners were variously isolated, starved, beaten, tortured—for countless hours—and paraded in anti-American propaganda. "It's easy to die but hard to live," a prison guard told one new arrival, "and we'll show you just how hard it is to live."

Hart Parr #3 Tractor

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:53:33 GMT

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr developed a two-cylinder gasoline engine and set up their business in Charles City, Iowa. In 1903 the firm built fifteen tractors (a term coined by Hart and Parr), and the 14,000 pound #3 is the oldest surviving internal combustion engine tractor in the United States.

Hattie Carnegie Original Two-Piece Dress

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:06:44 GMT

Hattie Carnegie, one of a few female entrepreneurs in the early to mid-20th century, was born Henrietta Kanengeiser in Vienna, Austria, in 1886. She came to the United States in 1892. Her first job was as a messenger, sometime milliner, and model in Macy's department store. She decided to change her name and chose the surname of the richest man in the country, Andrew Carnegie, to reflect her ambitions. With determination and an innate sense for style and business, she became a symbol of taste and high fashion to many Americans.

From the very beginning her wholesale and retail establishments attracted the wealthy. She opened her first shop, "Carnegie—Ladies' Hatter" in 1909, making and selling custom-made dresses and hats. As her business grew, she established her own wholesale house, which manufactured clothing with her label and sold in select stores. Well-known designers such as Claire McCardell and Norman Norell began their careers designing for her. By 1945, her shop on 49th Street in New York had added more departments, including American and French designs and accessories for "smart" dressing.

From the very beginning her wholesale and retail establishments attracted the wealthy. She opened her first shop, "Carnegie—Ladies' Hatter" in 1909, making and selling custom-made dresses and hats. As her business grew, she established her own wholesale house, which manufactured clothing with her label and sold in select stores. Well-known designers such as Claire McCardell and Norman Norell began their careers designing for her. By 1945, her shop on 49th Street in New York had added more departments, including American and French designs and accessories for "smart" dressing.

This dress was worn by the donor, Mrs. Morehead Patterson, nee Margaret Tilt, the daughter of Charles A. Tilt of Chicago's Diamond T. Motor Car. She was at one time married to Moorehead Patterson, CEO of the American Foundry Machine Company (AMF), New York City.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Hawaiian Plantation Locomotive, Olomana

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:09:50 GMT

Students can learn about the history of the sugarcane industry in Hawaii by exploring how the Olomana, a plantation locomotive, was used to serve the fields. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Headlines of History

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:13:13 GMT

In this activity, students will examine an historical newspaper, a piece of historical fiction, and their social studies textbooks for accounts of the civil rights movement, and then define 'equality' and 'discrimination'. They will then use these definitions to look for instances of equality and discrimination in modern society. Part of an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights, this activity will help students develop their research and analysis skills. OurStory is a program designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities.

Henry Presentation Rifle

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:52:31 GMT

This gold-mounted, engraved Henry rifle was presented to Abraham Lincoln in an effort to obtain his influence in their purchase for the war effort. This rifle was awarded the National Rifle Association Collectors Society Gold Medal as an outstanding historical firearm.

Henry Rifle

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:19:41 GMT

The Henry rifle was the immediate forerunner of the famous Winchester rifles. About 14,000 Henrys were made between 1860 and 1866...

Hernan Cortes

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:43:41 GMT

This engraving shows Hernán Cortés (1485 1547), the Spanish captain who headed the conquest of the Aztec Empire. He became a part of popular mythology the moment he arrived in Mexico in 1521. Cortés had spent time in Cuba killing and enslaving its indigenous inhabitants and administering the new social order of the Spanish colonies of the Caribbean...

Hessian Miter Cap

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:38:25 GMT

The Fusilier Regiment von Knyphausen was one of the regiments of the Second Division of troops from the German principality of Hesse-Cassel. It served as an auxiliary troop to the British Army during the American Revolution. Fusiliers were light infantry regiments in German armies and their distinctive miter cap differentiated them from other units.

Hessian Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:38:50 GMT

King George III used German soldiers to bolster his ranks. Many of these mercenaries came from Hesse-Cassel and were called "Hessians." Their arms were stout German muskets that bore a similarity to the British Brown Bess, though their barrel bands resembled the French Charleville.

Historians are Detectives

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:03:24 GMT

In the classroom activity, students will be able to explain the difference between primary and secondary sources, and explain how the value of using primary sources is important to history. By using primary sources to answer a series of questions, they will see that, much like detectives, historians have to prove that their answers are correct by providing evidence. This activity is included in the online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Historical Census Browser: University of Virginia

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:49:54 GMT

The University of Virginia Library developed and maintains this website that allows teachers and students to examine state and county census data from 1790-1960. The data and terminology presented in the Historical Census Browser are drawn directly from historical volumes of the U.S. Census of Population and Housing.

History and Politics Out Loud

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:54:08 GMT

History and Politics Out Loud is a searchable archive of politically significant audio materials of politically significant audio materials for scholars, teachers, and students. Speeches from the likes of twentieth century American Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and major twentieth century political figures can be found on this site.

History Explorer Podcast: 30th Anniversary of HIV and AIDS

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:11:17 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Curator Katherine Ott discusses the anniversary of the defining of HIV and how it fits into the history of both science and our society.

History Explorer Podcast: Backstage at the Museum

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:14:28 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, students will hear from Xavier Carnegie, the Museum’s Creative Director and one of the lead actors for the “Join the Student Sit-Ins” theater program about the research he conducts to develop and enhance his performance. The teacher guide includes discussion questions and a student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Conserving the Jefferson Bible

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:49:56 GMT

Hear staff from the museum's paper conservation lab discuss the preservation and repair behind Thomas Jefferson's personal Bible and other paper objects at the museum in this episode of the History Explorer podcast series.

History Explorer Podcast: Crockett Johnson: Art and Math in the Age of Sputnik

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:09:37 GMT

You might remember Crockett Johnson as the writer and illustrator of Harold and the Purple Crayon. In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Peggy Kidwell discusses how Johnson's mathematical artwork was inspired by a growing interest among Americans in math and science. The resource includes an audio and an image-enhanced podcast, a teacher guide and student worksheet, and an image pack.

History Explorer Podcast: Exploring the Electric Guitar

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:34:10 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, learn about the invention of this fascinating instrument as Exhibition Program Manager Monica Smith discusses the history of the guitar and those involved in its creation. The Teacher’s Guide includes links to the podcast in two formats and related images.

History Explorer Podcast: Fifty Years of Lasers

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:39:31 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast, curator Hal Wallace talks about the development of the laser, an invention that has as many practical uses as portrayals in science fiction and fantasy. In addition to audio, this resource includes related images and a teachers guide.

History Explorer Podcast: Freedom Songs

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:52:31 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Christopher Wilson, Director of the Program in African American Culture, discusses the use of freedom songs during the civil rights movement and how they are incorporated into public programs on the museum floor. The resources include a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Harlem Globetrotters and Early Professional Basketball

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:57:00 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Eric Jentsch discusses the history of the Harlem Globetrotters, an all-African American basketball team that barnstormed through segregated America to become the world's most recognizable sports team.

History Explorer Podcast: Henry Fitz's Telescope Shop

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:37:57 GMT

In this episdoe of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Steven Turner discusses the work and shop of Henry Fitz, America's first commercially successful telescope manufacturer. The resource includes an image-enhanced podcast, teachers guide, student worksheet, and image pack.

History Explorer Podcast: Holidays on Display

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:51:22 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Larry Bird discusses the development of holiday parades, department store window displays, and light shows and examines larger issues in American culture in the late nineteeth through mid-twentieth centuries including urbanization, suburbanization, and consumerism. The teacher guide includes discussion questions and related resources.

History Explorer Podcast: Hurricane Katrina and Collecting from a Disaster

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:07:31 GMT

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States. In her wake, a team of curators from the museum set out to collect objects that captured the history of the moment and what it meant to the country. In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, listen to the late curator David Shayt discuss how and what the museum collected in the immediate aftermath of the devastating storm. The resource includes a teachers guide, student worksheet, and image pack.

History Explorer Podcast: In the Field--Researching the Food Exhibit

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:47:54 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Sarah Coffee hears from Rayna Green about how curators working on the exhibit, Food:Transforming the American Table, 1950-2000, got out of the museum and did field research to capture the stories of ordinary Americans. The resource set includes a student worksheet, teacher guide, and images.

History Explorer Podcast: Investigating Portraiture

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:54:16 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Curator Shannon Perich discusses how portraiture can be used in historical research. Shannon presents three historical portraits (including Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother), describing the historical context of each, while also providing information on how curators and researchers look for clues within historical photography. The resource includes audio and image enhanced podcasts, a teachers guide and student worksheet, and related images.

History Explorer Podcast: Japanese Internment and WWII Service

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:56:26 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curatorial assistant Noriko Sanefuji interviews Grant Ichikawa, a US veteran who enlisted after being relocated to a Japanese American internment camp with his family in 1942.Allowed to join the army after a need for interpreters, Mr. Ichikawa served proudly and in 2011, he and other veterans were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his service.

History Explorer Podcast: Joseph Henry and the History of Weather Prediction in the U.S.

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:02:42 GMT

Learn about the history of predicting weather in the United States from actor Dwayne Starlin playing Joseph Henry, first secretary of the Smithsonian. Henry played a crucial role in creating a weather prediction service in the United States that became the National Weather Service. The resource includes a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Master

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:00:27 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Ken Kimery, Executive Producer of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, discusses the career of jazz musician Mary Lou Williams and the value of studying jazz in American history. The teacher guide includes discussion questions and links to related resources.

History Explorer Podcast: National History Day

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:52:52 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, learn what it takes to develop a great National History Day project from museum staff members who have judged the website, exhibits, and essay competitions at national level. National History Day is an annual competition that engages students in the past through their own well-researched projects.

History Explorer Podcast: Objects from September 11

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:06:44 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, James Gardner, Former Senior Scholar and Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, discusses the Museum's collection efforts and object stories following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The resource includes a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Plains Indian Ledger Drawings

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:07:31 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer Podcast, curator Rayna Green discusses what we can learn from seemingly simple line drawings about the lives and memories of Plains Indians who lived over 130 years ago. The resources include a teacher guide and related image.

History Explorer Podcast: Portraiture and Identity

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:54:45 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Shannon Perich, curator in the Photographic Collection at the Museum examines three unique photographic portraits, showing how portraiture and the creation of an image between sitter and photographer, can be used to express many ideas, beyond that of simply a picture of an individual. The resource includes both an audio and image-enhanced podcast, a teachers guide and a student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Remembering John Levy

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:04:35 GMT

Though not as well-known as figures such as Duke Ellington or Ella Fitzgerald, John Levy made significant contributions to jazz music, both as a bassist and as the first black personal manager in jazz. In this episode of History Explorer, Sarah Coffee interviews Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Director Ken Kimery about Levy's story and legacy. Ken discusses how he uses John's oral history, available at smithsonianjazz.org, to teach about topics ranging from segregation to prohibition, to finding one's musical "voice." This resource set includes a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Sugar and Sweeteners in American History

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:55:15 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast, curator Deborah Warner discusses the role of sugar and various sweeteners in American history. In addition to being a staple in the American diet, sugar's role in our nation's history touches on subjects of science and technology, labor and capital, politics and even popular culture. The resource includes a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Thanksgiving and Harvest Celebrations

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:49:30 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Rayna Green discusses the history of Thanksgiving, American Indian foodways, and what how and what we eat can teach us about American history. The teacher guide includes discussion questions and a student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: The Bracero Program

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:06:23 GMT

During World War II, America began its largest experiment with guest Labor, The Mexican Farm Labor Program. Commonly called the bracero program, this little known chapter of American and Mexican history touched the lives of countless men, women, families, and communities. Learn about the bracero program and the Smithsonian’s initiative to document it with curator Stephen Velasquez. The resource set includes a teacher guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: The Early Modern Olympics

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:05:38 GMT

The first Olympic Games began in 776 BC, but the Olympic Games as we know them today started much later—the 19th century. Learn about the surprising beginnings of the modern Olympic Games and how much has changed since with curator Eric Jentsch. The resource set includes a teacher guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: The First Video Game

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:51:59 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, hear museum staff person Petrina Foti discuss inventor Ralph Baer, the first video game, and how to read the stories in objects. The resource package includes a transcript, teacher guide, and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: The Jazz Oral History Project

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:01:07 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Ken Kimery, executive director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, discusses the importance of the Jazz Oral History Project. Ken explains the history of the program and its importance, as well as gives some tips about how to conduct your own oral history projects.

History Explorer Podcast: The Man With the Fish On His Back

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:37:18 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Diane Wendt introduces us to one of the stranger objects in the museum's collection and gives an insight into cod liver oil and its ties to the history of brand marketing. Includes accompanying resources for classroom use.

History Explorer Podcast: The Richmond Hoard

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:53:42 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Richard Doty, senior curator of the National Numismatics Collection, shares the story of the "Richmond Hoard," an enormous collection of Confederate currency obtained by the museum and explains what currency meant to life in the South and how money can be studied to learn about our nation's past. The resource includes a teacher guide, image pack, and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: The Sioux City Ghosts

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:35:57 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, listen as archivist Reuben Jackson discusses the Sioux City Ghosts, an African-American travelling baseball team and swing band from the 1930s. The teacher’s guide includes links to the podcast in two formats and related images.

History Explorer Podcast: The Story of the Dollar

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:49:03 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, numismatics curator Karen Lee discusses the history and meaning of the dollar, including unusual items that have been used to represent the dollar in the U.S., and discusses the value of studying money. The teacher guide includes discussion questions and a link to the podcast.

History Explorer Podcast: Underwater Archaeology

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:55:45 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, curator Paul Johnston discusses the field of underwater archaeology and how the study of shipwrecks can add to our understanding of many areas and eras in US history. The resource includes a teachers guide and student worksheet.

History Explorer Podcast: Unraveling the Layers of a Wicked Costume

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:13:32 GMT

In this episode of the History Explorer podcast, we go behind the "seams" to explore the many layers of the Museum’s latest acquisition—Elphaba’s dress from the Broadway Musical Wicked, which gave a new spin on L. Frank Baum’s well known book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Students hear about the dress’s design, importance, and the larger conversations it can lead to from curator Dwight Blocker Bowers, actors Donna Vivino and Tiffany Haas, and the Tony Award winning designer Susan Hilferty. The resource set includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, and images.

History Explorer Podcast: Women's Military History

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:13:46 GMT

In this episode of History Explorer, curators Bart Hacker and Margaret Vining discuss the roles that women have played in the military throughout history, their research, and the 2013 announcement of a policy to allow women in combat. The resource set includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, and related images.

History Matters: The US Survey Course on the Web

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

History Matters, is a project of the American Social History Project/Center for Media and Learning of the City University of New York and the Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. This site serves as a gateway to web resources and offers unique teaching materials, first-person primary documents, and guides to analyzing historical evidence. Much of the materials focuses in on the lives of ordinary Americans, and actively involves students in analyzing and interpreting evidence.

History of Polio Timeline

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:31:08 GMT

This website provides a timeline of the history of polio research, vaccinations and its effects on society. This timeline will help students understand the history of polio, including the major milestones in the scientific, medical and social issues created by the virus. The History of Polio Timeline is part of the online exhibition, Whatever Happened to Polio?

History of the Electoral College

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:52:52 GMT

This website about the United States Electoral College from the National Archives is an excellent resource for both students and teachers. It is divided into sections that include: answers to frequently asked questions about the Electoral College; historical election results, state by state electoral information, and an Electoral College calculator for younger students. Also included is an entire section devoted solely to teaching resources.

History of Voting in the United States: Create a Virtual Exhibit

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:40:28 GMT

This activity challenges students to think about the 1898 Standard Voting Machine and the democratization of the voting process in the United States. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and three lesson plans focused on the history of voting in the United States. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to voting and the extension of voting rights to women and African-Americans.

This resource is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

History on Stage Pop-Up Lesson

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:18:54 GMT

This lesson plan, developed in support of the exhibition Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop, and Turn, introduces students to the variety of mechanisms included in movable books and encourages them to build their own pop-up in support of a social studies lesson. Making pop-ups subtly reinforces students’ understanding of mechanical movement and helps budding architects, designers, and engineers begin to envision objects three-dimensionally.

History Wired

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:53:25 GMT

This is an experimental program through which you can take a virtual tour of selected objects from the Museum’s collections. The website links to 450 objects from the found on a customizable map that can be used to group objects in different ways. By voting for your favorite objects, you can change the map to reflect which objects have the most popular appeal.

HIV and AIDS Thirty Years Ago

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:39:37 GMT

This online exhibition examines the public health, scientific, and political responses in the early phase (1981-87) of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic. The website features photographs, magazine covers and public health information pamphlets from AIDS service organizations.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that produces AIDS by impairing the human immune system and allowing diseases such as pneumonia and various cancers to take hold. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the term for the combination of infection with HIV, a reduced number of specific immune system cells (ones with CD4 surface proteins), and the illnesses associated with HIV.

Hockey Skates

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:07:57 GMT

These skates were worn by Phil Verchota (number 27), a member of the underdog 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that astounded the world by capturing the Gold Medal at Lake Placid, New York. While it was the win against the Finns that cinched the Gold, the defeat of the Soviet team in the semifinals — known as the “miracle on ice” — captured the hearts and imaginations of Americans during a time of cold war tensions.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Holidays on Display

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:14:51 GMT

Holidays on Display examines the art, industry, and history of holiday display across the United States. Focusing on parading culture and department store retail display, primarily between the 1920s and 1960s, when holiday displays were considered commercial endeavors equally rewarding for the American public, the exhibition showcases numerous photographs, postcards and rendering illustration of parade floats and window displays—including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and Marshall Field & Company Christmas windows—as well as objects relating to the early creation of these displays.

Hollerith Tabulating Machine

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:24:51 GMT

During the 1880s, the engineer Herman Hollerith devised a set of machines for compiling data from the United States Census. Hollerith's tabulating system included a punch for entering data about each person onto a blank card, a tabulator for reading the cards and summing up information, and a sorting box for sorting the cards for further analysis. Hollerith's tabulating system won a gold medal at the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, and was used successfully the next year to count the results of the 1890 Census. His inventions formed the starting point of a company that would become IBM.

Homemade Filipino Gun

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:57:22 GMT

Filipinos fighting the United State Army resorted to making their own firearms. This handmade gun harkens back to the earliest of firearms, the hand cannon. The gun was muzzle-loaded and the charge was set off by applying fire to a touchhole in the side of the barrel.

Homes and Communities

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Homes and Communities is the official website of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It includes news and information about HUD, home ownership and community involvement.

Hometown History

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:06:20 GMT

This activity is a field trip that takes adults and children to historic places to learn through asking questions and seeking answers through observation and using experts. Children will be better able to observe details and ask questions. It will help children build an understanding of a specific historical place and time period, and also spark curiosity about history and ways to creatively solve problems. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner.

OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Honoring Japanese Americans

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:05:35 GMT

In this activity, children will examine pictures of a Congressional Gold Medal for Japanese American soldiers, investigate the symbols on both sides, and design their own medal for kids who lived in the camps. Part of an OurStory module from entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp, this activity includes images of the Congressional Gold Medal, discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Horseman's Saber belonging to Major Benjamin Talmadge

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:05:22 GMT

This horseman's saber belonged to Major Benjamin Talmadge of the Second Continental Dragoons. A horseman's saber tends to be longer to account for the height of the horse. American swordsmiths made distinctive heavy sabers such as this.

House Detectives: Finding History in Your Home

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:24:19 GMT

This printable guide shows students how to research the place where they live and can be used as a tool for individual or small group research. It will help them conduct research on their home or local building, describe their research process and summarize their conclusions based on analysis of the research. This activity is one of the educational resources included in the online exhibition entitled Within These Walls.

How to Use this Resource in Your Classroom: Collect Stars Activity

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:02:56 GMT

This teacher tip-sheet includes information about how the Collect Stars activity can be used in a classroom. It will help students cite the origins and outcome of the War of 1812 and be able to place the creation and preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner in a chronological framework. This resource is included in the online exhibition, The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

How to Use this Resource in Your Classroom: Interactive Flag

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:03:57 GMT

Encourage your students to examine objects for historical information, ask historical questions, research answers to historical questions, and present their findings. Take a close look at the Star-Spangled Banner using an interactive Web site, then dive deeper into symbolism, the War of 1812, and the story of this specific American flag.

This teacher tip-sheet is included in the online exhibition, The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

How to Use this Resource in Your Classroom: Share Your Story

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:57:50 GMT

Share your story about the American flag with the Smithsonian! Discover the many meanings of the American flag through a contributor-based Share Your Story photo collage. After exploring the online exhibition and the photos and captions submitted by others, students will create and submit their own digital content to the Smithsonian's photo collage. Step-by-step instructions for using the Flickr site to submit photographs, handouts for students to use during discussion and brainstorming, and a template to help your students submit their photographs and captions are included. This activity guide is a part of the online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

I Do Solemnly Swear… Presidential Inaugurations

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:45:40 GMT

This website, from the Library of Congress, is a collection of approximately 400 items or 2,000 digital files relating to inaugurations from George Washington's in 1789 to George W. Bush's inauguration of 2001. It includes diaries and letters of presidents and of those who witnessed inaugurations, handwritten drafts of inaugural addresses, broadsides, inaugural tickets and programs, prints, photographs, and sheet music. This site is a fantastic resource for both teacher and students, as it includes many primary source images and text regarding Presidential inaugurations.

iCivics

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:41:12 GMT

This collection of seven interactive student games encourages close examination of civics and American government. The activities present modern and historical situations which students must navigate using their knowledge of the branches of government, the Constitution, and the court system. iCivics games run from 15 to 60 minutes and appeal to students from grades six through twelve.

Imagine an Immigration Interview

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:56:19 GMT

Imagine what it felt like to be an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island or Angel Island during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Could you pass the interview to enter the country? Part of an OurStory module entitled Coming to America, this activity includes interview questions, discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Imagining Abraham Lincoln

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:09:13 GMT

Cartoons are great documents that can tell both funny and serious stories. In this activity, children will first read Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers. Then they will use what they have learned about Abraham Lincoln and their critical thinking skills to add a scene to the story in the form of a comic strip. Included in an Ourstory module entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Immigration, Migration, and How We Got There - Electronic Field Trip Part 1

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:41:25 GMT

This electronic field trip was designed to introduce grades 4–8 to the America on the Move exhibition on transportation in U.S. history. Curators and a student host visit the exhibition and examine the impact of immigration and migration and the influence of various forms of transportation on American history.

In Defense of Liberty: The Magna Carta in the American Revolution

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:29:26 GMT

In this lesson, students will carefully examine an authentic Massachusetts thirty-shilling note (1775) from the Museum's collection and hypothesize the meaning of its visual elements. Students will use primary and secondary sources to refine the hypothesis and in the process, discover the role the Magna Carta played in the colonists' defense of their rights as Englishmen. The lesson provides insight into the causes of the American Revolution and builds students' ability to read and interpret objects as primary sources.

In the Mood for Instruments

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:42:59 GMT

Use two online music tools to try your hand at picking instruments to change the mood of a song. Part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz, this activity includes instructions, discussion prompts, links, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:47:16 GMT

Complete inaugural addresses of every president from George Washington to George W. Bush can be found on this reference website. It is a very useful tool for students conducting research on a particular president.

Inaugural Words 1789-Present (Word Cloud)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 13:46:56 GMT

This website, from the New York Times, allows students to read the texts of every American president’s inauguration speech. The site creators clarify each address by highlighting words that appear the most often in each president’s speech. The site also includes related multimedia from President Obama’s inauguration and links to news items from the event.

Inauguration Day 2013

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:57:29 GMT

Teachers and students will find this official Inauguration Day website from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies very helpful when looking for information regarding Inauguration Day. The site contains a great deal of information about the 2013 Inauguration Day ceremonies as well as historical information about past Inaugurations.

Infantry Private Frock Coat and Hardee Hat

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:34:34 GMT

In 1855 Secretary of War Jefferson Davis was instrumental in the creation of two regiments of cavalry. It was recommended that the cavalry have a distinctive hat; it is sometimes called the Jeff Davis hat. It also was referred to as the Hardee hat, after William Joseph Hardee, an officer of the 2nd Cavalry...

Infantry Private's Coat

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:40:54 GMT

US Army private's uniform from approximately 1840.

Inland Waterways 1820-1940

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:17:42 GMT

Students will learn how commerce on the Great Lakes, canals and rivers played an important role in the development of the country in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. The country's vast system of rivers and lakes has helped people settle the land and create communities. Students will also explore the realities of life and work on the inland waterways of the United States, and the professions and technologies that developed to safely navigate the perils of these vital waterways.

In-Out Basket

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:16:54 GMT

The process of manufacturing such baskets is called "sewing," but it is actually a process of binding and coiling long strands of grass. In the wetlands, two kinds of grasses are used; "sweetgrass," and more recently, black rush, also known as "bullrush." Strips of oak wood, or palmetto fronds are used to bind together long bundles of grass, which are then coiled into a particular shape. Makeshift tools, such as broken-off spoons, flattened nails, or cow ribs are used for the coiling and binding process. Sometimes, colored grasses or pine needles are used in the show baskets, although the use of sweetgrass, bulrush, and palmetto is standard.

Today, the role of the men and boys is to gather the materials, the women do the weaving and market the baskets. Until recently, baskets were sold from family-operated roadside stands, but increasingly, they are sold at county fairs and cultural festivals. Many of the older women regarded basketmaking as a carefully guarded community secret, but many of the younger women give basketmaking seminars to people from outside of the communities. The women of an earlier generation were not always comfortable with the term "gullah", younger women tend to recognize its historical and cultural value.

Today, the baskets are for domestic and decorative purposes, rather than agricultural use, and there is a much wider variety of shapes than when baskets were used on the plantations. Some coil weaving produces wall decorations, ladies' hats, and men's caps. Although there are no fixed rules for terminology, certain shapes are often given specific names. Some of the named shapes are for placing utensils inside the baskets.

Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:07:02 GMT

Este sitio de web del instituto que trabaja para la preservación de la cultura puertorriqueña contiene mucha información sobre eventos locales, pero también ofrece recursos digitales para maestros hispanohablantes. A la izquierda de la página, el enlace “Galería Virtual” contiene muchas imágenes, música, y documentos que pertenecen a cultura puertorriqueña. También, el enlace “ICP Interactivo” provee una variedad de otros enlaces para otras bibliotecas, museos, y revistas electrónicas. Este sitio es útil más para los maestros, pero, con la orientación de adulto, el estudiante puede usarlo también.

Interactive Gettysburg Address

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:38:25 GMT

Use this interactive document to bring one of the five known handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address to life! Students can zoom in on the document, click on highlighted passages that help put the famous speech into context and listen to actor Liam Neeson read the entire address. Transcripts of the manuscript are also available in English and Spanish to help students understand one the most famous speeches in American History. This resource is included in the online exhibition entitled The Gettysburg Address.

Interactive Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:53:59 GMT

Explore features of the Star-Spangled Banner using this interactive flag included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem. Using this interactive tool, students can click on hotspots and learn something new about the flag each time they click. They can also zoom in on the image of the flag in order to see incredible detail.

Introduction to Acoustics Instruments

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:32:39 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses on the history of acoustics during the 18th and 19th centuries, including demonstrations of wave models, tuning forks, sirens, resonators, and the Chladni plate. This is the first video in a series of five.

Introduction to Vote: The Machinery of Democracy

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:09:35 GMT

A brief summary of the changes in voting technology is the focus of the introduction to Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, an online exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This resource discusses a range of voting technologies from paper and machine ballots, to the electronic voting systems that are coming into widespread use today.

Invent a Board Game

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:18:13 GMT

Invent, build and then play your very own board game! This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Invent a Musical Whirligig

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:18:39 GMT

Since antiquity, people have used their imagination and common materials to invent toys, many of them active, kid-powered, and noise making--like the whirligig. Be a part of history and invent your own! This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Invent Your Own Gelatin Dessert

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:19:05 GMT

Learn a bit about the invention of Jell-O (in 1845!) and then invent a gelatin dessert of your own. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Invention at Play Educator's Manual

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:42:51 GMT

This manual, included in the online exhibition Invention at Play, from the Lemelson Center, will provide an array of activities, resources, and approaches that will underscore the role of play in the inventive spirit in all of us. Through play we develop certain "habits of mind" - curiosity, persistence, imagination, communication, problem solving - as well as skills in manipulating and understanding the properties of the material world. Research has shown that this array of abilities has been and continues to be an important part of the inventor's tool chest.

Invention at Play Family Activities Guide

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:43:10 GMT

This booklet, connected to the Invention at Play online exhibition from the Lemelson Center, highlights inventors who started out as great players and who recall a strong link between their play and inventing. It encourages adults to create an enriching play/inventing environment at home with hands-on, minds-on suggestions, and offers open-ended play and inventing activities for adults and children to do together.

Did you know that play is an essential ingredient in a child's intellectual and creative development? Scholars have discovered surprising parallels between the ways children play and the creative processes practiced by inventors. When children pretend, build with blocks and boxes, solve puzzles, take things apart, or rig a new way to do something, they are practicing flexible habits of mind and making important new connections.

Invention at Play Homepage

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:43:31 GMT

Through the use of interactive games, inventors' stories, video commentaries, and toy displays, students will learn how play connects to the creative impulse that is fundamental to the work of invention, and explore the playful side of invention and the inventive side of play.

Invention Playhouse

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:10:12 GMT

Through the use of four interactive games, students will learn how play-the ordinary and everyday "work of childhood"-connects to the creative impulse of both historic and contemporary inventors in the Invention Playhouse. This resource is part of the Invention at Play online exhibition from the Lemelson Center.

Investigating Immigration Patterns

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:28:22 GMT

It's in the numbers! Explore how charts and data maps can help you see immigration patterns in history. Part of an OurStory module entitled Coming to America, this activity includes data sources, discussion questions, links to free online tools, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Iron Lung

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:44:02 GMT

This early respirator for producing artificial respiration over long periods of time was designed and constructed by the donor, John Haven Emerson. Completed in July 1931, it was first used in the summer of that year at the Providence City Hospital, Providence, R.I...

Iron Worker's Hard Hat

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:09:09 GMT

This hard hat was worn by Dennis Quinn, an iron worker from Chicago, Illinois, who came to New York to help clear the debris of the World Trade Center after September 11.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Ironstone Vegetable Dish

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:45:04 GMT

The CSS Alabama was a 1,050-ton screw steam sloop of war. On August 24, 1862 it rendezvoused with a supply ship and was outfitted for war and for the next two years wreacked havoc on the seaborne commerce of the North by destroying more than 60 ships valued at nearly $6,000,000.

Jailed for Freedom Pin

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:10:43 GMT

In January 1917, members of the National Woman's Party (NWP) became the first people to picket the White House. Protesting the government's failure to pass a constitutional amendment enfranchising women, NWP members, led by Alice Paul, began picketing the White House. Their purple, white, and gold banners asked President Woodrow Wilson, "Mr. President what will you do for woman suffrage?" and "Mr. President how long must women wait for liberty?" Tolerated at first, the "silent sentinels" were increasingly seen as an embarrassment to the administration. As the United States entered the First World War, the NWP pickets' banners often pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy and freedom in Europe while denying it to women at home. In June 1917, the D.C. police began arresting picketers for obstructing sidewalk traffic. Over 150 women were sentenced to terms ranging from 60 days to six months in the Occoquan Workhouse. When their demands to be treated as political prisoners were ignored, they went on hunger strikes and were forcibly fed. The publicity surrounding their ordeal generated public sympathy for the suffragists and their cause.

In December, 1917, at a meeting in their honor, the pickets who had been jailed were presented with small silver pins in the shape of prison doors with heart-shaped locks. The National Museum of American History owns three "Jailed for Freedom" pins that belonged to Lucille Calmes, Amelia Walker, and Alice Paul.

The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution enfranchising women was ratified in August 1920.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Jamestown, Québec, Santa Fe: Three North American Beginnings

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:17:24 GMT

Students will learn about the virtually simultaneous introduction of English, French, and Spanish culture to this vast area and tells the stories of Native and European societies through 1700. Downloadable PDFs are included to relate the themes addressed in the exhibition to standards of learning. This website explores the international origins of the societies of Canada and the United States and commemorates the 400th anniversary of three lasting settlements in Jamestown, Québec, and Santa Fe.

Japanese American Citizen's League

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:32:23 GMT

The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is a membership organization whose mission is to secure and maintain the human and civil rights of Americans of Japanese ancestry and others victimized by injustice. The JACL has 112 chapters nationwide and eight regional districts with over 24,000 members found in twenty-three states. In addition to its national headquarters in San Francisco, the JACL has five regional offices (Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago), as well as an office in Washington D.C. and an organizational newspaper, the Pacific Citizen, distributed nationally from its office in Los Angeles. In addition to legislative efforts, the organization offers educational scholarships, and has developed a curriculum and resource guide that has been adopted by the California school system and is available for purchase.

Japanese American Digital Archive

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:40:58 GMT

A core component of the California Digital Library, the Online Archive of California (OAC) is a digital information resource that facilitates and provides access to materials such as manuscripts, photographs, and works of art held in libraries, museums, archives, and other institutions across California.

Japanese American Documentary Collection, National Museum of American History

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:05:09 GMT

The collections of the American History Archives Center complement the Museum's artifacts and are used for scholarly research, exhibitions, journalism, documentary productions, school programs, and other research and educational activities.

Japanese American Exclusion Orders During World War II

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:35:42 GMT

This lesson will help students identify with the experiences of camp internees during World War II. Students will be divided into four-member "family" groups that are to be relocated to an internment camp. They will then read two sections of the online exhibition entitled A More Perfect Union and, based on what they have read, make decisions about what they will take with them. After discussing their decisions, students will visit the "Reflections" section of A More Perfect Union and write a response to at least one of the topics.

Japanese American National Museum

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:38:35 GMT

The mission of the Japanese American National Museum is to make known the Japanese American experience as an integral part of our nation's heritage in order to improve understanding and appreciation for America's ethnic and cultural diversity.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution Collection Search

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:53:02 GMT

In this resource, students can explore more than 800 artifacts from the online exhibition A More Perfect Union, including: archival photography, publications, original manuscripts, works of art, and handmade objects from the Museum's outstanding collection of items related to the Japanese American experience during World War II. A More Perfect Union focuses on the experiences of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution Homepage

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:52:26 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the experiences of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II, a period of history when racial prejudice and fear upset the delicate balance between the rights of citizens and the power of the state. The story is told through interactive galleries that combine photographs, objects, oral histories, and first-person accounts. Students will be able to share their responses to what they have learned on a comment board that is included in the exhibition as well as search more than 800 artifacts from the Smithsonian Collection. Also included are links to related activities, Web sites, a bibliography and more resources about this topic. A non-flash version of the site is available at http://americanhistory.si.edu/perfectunion/non-flash/overview.html.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Bibliography

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:36:57 GMT

This annotated bibliography, part of the A More Perfect Union online exhibition, includes works of non-fiction, fiction, poetry and children's literature. A More Perfect Union focuses on the experiences of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Immigration

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:37:22 GMT

Students will learn about the experience of Issei, the first generation of Japanese immigrants to the United States, through the use of artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs, and oral histories. This section of the A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, discusses how Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii and mainland United States faced severe racial prejudice and the restrictive laws that specifically limited the rights of Asian immigrants to own property and to become citizens. Oral history transcripts are available in the subsections Issei: First Generation and U.S. Mainland.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Internment

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:40:18 GMT

Students will learn about everyday life in the Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Living in geographically isolated camps under harsh conditions and laboring for unfair wages, internees recreated a community structure that enabled them to live as normal a life as possible as well as thrive culturally. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, uses of artifacts from the Museum's collections, fine art, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories students will get sense of the daily life of internees as well as gaining an appreciation of the unique art and culture that emerged from the rigors of life in the camps. Oral history transcripts are available in the subsections Permanent Camps, Conditions, and Work.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Justice

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:28:21 GMT

Students will learn about the efforts of Japanese Americans to receive justice after their internment during World War II. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, uses artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories to discuss the court cases brought against the government, the formal apologies and efforts of redress by the government and the successes of members of the Japanese American community in post-war United States. Oral history transcripts are available in each subsection of this webpage.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Loyalty

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:30:06 GMT

Students will learn how the loyalty of Japanese Americans was tested during World War II. Based on answers to mandatory loyalty questionnaires, many Japanese Americans were sent to separate camps, repatriated, expatriated or given the opportunity to be drafted into the military. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, includes artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories. Oral history transcripts are available in the subsections The Questionnaire, Expatriation and Repatriation, and The Draft.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Reflections

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:43:45 GMT

This website offers students an opportunity to share their own reflections and responses to the issues explored in the online exhibition, A More Perfect Union, as well as reading those of other visitors. Topics include reactions to the site's content, shared memories from internment camps and the World War II era, what it means to be an American citizen, and the balance of national security and personal liberty.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Removal

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:40:12 GMT

Students will learn how the attack on Pearl Harbor led to Executive Order 9066, which was the first step in a program that uprooted Japanese Americans from their West Coast communities and placed them under armed guard for up to four years. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, uses artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories to discuss the early stages of this traumatic period, from the initial reactions and policies brought about by the attack on Pearl Harbor to the temporary assembly centers that were the first stop for Japanese American internees. Oral history transcripts are available in each of the subsections of this website.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Resources

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:35:08 GMT

This page provides links to all of the resources included in the online exhibition A More Perfect Union, and serves as an invaluable reference regarding the Japanese American internment camps of World War II. Included are links to a statement by one of the exhibition's curators and the text of the original traveling exhibition A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and The United States Constitution, as well as an historical overview of the period, two classroom activities, a bibliography of books for grades 4-12, and a list of relevant Web sites about Japanese and Asian American culture and history.

Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Service

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:34:30 GMT

Students will learn about the 25,000 Japanese Americans who served in U.S. military units during World War II. This section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition, uses artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories to tell the stories of the military service and sacrifice of these brave men as well as the irony that they were fighting to preserve the world's freedom while their families were imprisoned. Their combat record aided the post-war acceptance of Japanese Americans in American society and helped many people to recognize the injustice of wartime internment. Oral history transcripts are available in the subsections Soldier's Life, Military Intelligence and Translation, and Ironies of Service.

Jazz Duet

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:17:46 GMT

Follow simple directions to make a musical instrument, then try out some "call and response" jazz rhythms. Part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz, this activity includes links to instructions to make a drum or “sound-sandwich,” discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Jazz Oral Histories as Primary Sources

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:24:36 GMT

Introduce students to using oral histories as primary sources with these interviews with jazz musicians recorded by the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The resource includes a guide for teachers and links to oral histories, and a student worksheet accompanies these materials.

Jefferson Banner

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:10:45 GMT

This cloth banner celebrates the electoral victory of Thomas Jefferson over John Adams in the presidential election of 1800. The banner is believed to be one of the earliest surviving textiles carrying partisan imagery, created at the dawn of the first American party system in which power passed from Federalists to Jeffersonian Republicans.

Jetsons Lunch Box

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:01:50 GMT

Aladdin Industries profited from the success of The Jetsons television cartoon series in the fall of 1963 by introducing a domed lunch box featuring that space-traveling suburban family and their robotic maid. American notions of family life in the 1960s traveled effortlessly outward to interplanetary space on this fanciful box.

Domed metal lunch boxes traditionally were carried by factory employees and construction workers, but Aladdin and other makers found the curved shape made an excellent young person's landscape, ocean scene, or starry sky. Despite the more earth-bound adult concerns of the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and the Kennedy assassination, The Jetsons box and bottle showcase the metal lunch box at the zenith of its design life and its popularity among school children.

John Brown's Legacy

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:19:53 GMT

In this lesson, students will examine primary sources to understand John Brown’s actions in Harpers Ferry and will develop a creative project on his legacy. This resource was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

John Brown's Sharps Rifle

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:19:22 GMT

This Sharps rifle was made especially for John Brown, though it bears no maker’s mark or number. Brown carried this weapon on his Kansas campaign in 1856 and later presented it to Charles Blair of Collinsville, Connecticut. In 1857, Brown contracted Blair to forge pikes for the clandestine slave insurrection he was planning for Harpers Ferry.

General History
As a boy of five, John Brown witnessed a slave his own age being beaten with a fire shovel. He vowed to become a foe of slavery. By the mid-1800s, Brown was fulfilling his vow. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed the two states to decide the issue of slavery by a popular ballot. The fight in Kansas was so intense that the state earned the nickname “Bleeding Kansas.” As Missouri pro-slavery “Ruffians” flocked to Kansas, the New England abolitionists bankrolled “Free-Soilers” to move to the settlement of Lawrence, Kansas. Henry Ward Beecher raised money to purchase Sharps rifles for use by antislavery forces in Kansas. Rifles, said Beecher, are “a greater moral agency than the Bible” in the fight against slavery. The guns were packed in crates labeled "Bibles" so they would not arouse suspicion. Soon the Sharps rifles sent to Kansas were referred to as “Beecher’s Bibles.” In 1856, after abolitionists were attacked in Lawrence, John Brown led a raid on scattered cabins along the Pottawatomie Creek, killing five people. Kansas would not become a state until 1861, after the Confederate states seceded. John Brown had another plan to bring about an end to slavery, a slave uprising. Brown contracted with Charles Blair, a forge master in Collinsville, Connecticut, to make 950 pikes for a dollar apiece. Brown would issue the pikes to the slaves as they revolted. On October 16, 1859, Brown led his group to Harpers Ferry where he took over the arsenal and waited for the slaves to revolt. The revolt never came. Two days later Robert E. Lee and his troops overran the raiders and captured John Brown. Brown was found guilty of murder, treason, and inciting slave insurrection and was hanged on December 2, 1859.

John Bull Riding the Rails

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:51:47 GMT

See one of America's earliest steam locomotives, the John Bull, come to life while riding the rails. Part of an OurStory module entitled All Aboard the Train!, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively view a 4-minute video of the John Bull in motion. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

John Deere Model D Tractor

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:02:34 GMT

The John Deere Model D tractor was introduced in 1923 and became the first tractor built, marketed, and named John Deere. It replaced the Waterloo Boy in the company's product line.

John Mosby's Cavalry Jacket and Hat

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:53:31 GMT

Confederate cavalry leader John Mosby is among the most romantic characters in the Civil War. From 1863 to the end of the conflict, Mosby's raiders were a constant headache for the North. The raiders usually acted in small detachments of several dozen, sacking supply depots, attacking railroads, and harassing federal troops.

John Mosby's Crutches

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:53:07 GMT

These crutches were used by John Mosby during the Civil War. Mosby stated, “These crutches were made for me during the war by a slave named Isaac who belonged to my father. They were first used in August 1863 when I went home wounded. My mother kept them for me and I again used them in September 1864 & December 1864.” Mosby commanded a band of Confederate cavalry known for conducting raids to disrupt Union supply and communication lines.

Join America at Play

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:30:30 GMT

Discover America's favorite pastimes, sports and hobbies through the use of brief articles, images, video and audio clips, trivia questions and an interactive game entitled "Batter Up." Students will gain a unique perspective of American history by using this resource from the Library of Congress. Explore the history of some of America's most popular activities with sections on dance, baseball, vacationing, quilting and patriotic celebrations.

Join the Student Sit-Ins Classroom Videos

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:05:19 GMT

In this series of five short videos, students can watch a museum theater presentation. During the presentation, a fictional composite character from 1960 is conducting a training session for people interested in joining a student sit-in to protest racial segregation. The student speaks about the recent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina, and coaches members of the audience in the philosophy and tactics of non-violent direct action.

Join the Student Sit-Ins Teacher Guide for the Classroom Videos

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:08:44 GMT

Watch and discuss a 22-minute video of a Museum theater presentation. During the presentation, a fictional composite character from 1960 is conducting a training session for people interested in joining a student sit-in to protest racial segregation. The student speaks about the recent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina, and coaches members of the audience in the philosophy and tactics of non-violent direct action.

This teacher guide also includes instructions for an in-classroom simulation, suggested extension activities, and lyrics for a sing-along performance of a freedom song.

Julia Child's Pyrex Measuring Cup

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:14:31 GMT

To determine volume, weight, temperature, and time, cooks use measuring cups and spoons (for liquids and dry ingredients), thermometers of all sorts for the oven, freezer, or deep-fat fryer; for chocolate, dough, meat, candy, and jelly; scales for liquids and solids; salometers or hydrometers to test the density of a salt or sugar solution; and timers. The well-known cookbook author and television cooking show star Julia Child had a number of the most commonly used American kitchen measuring devices in her kitchen. Now in the collections of the National Museum of American History, Julia's Pyrex glass one- and two- cup measures, are marked in both English measurements (1 cup; 8 oz.) and in metric (250 ml).

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Jumpin' Jazz Concert

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:18:24 GMT

A field trip to a jazz concern can give you a look at how Duke Ellington and jazz music are still alive today. In this activity, students will use discussion prompts to make the most of their visit. This activity is part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Kearsarge Cap

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:54:23 GMT

Cap worn by Landsman Nathan Ives of the USS Kearsarge.

The CSS Alabama was a 1,050-ton screw steam sloop of war. Built in Liverpool, England, it took to sea as a merchant ship, but on August 24, 1862, it rendezvoused with a supply ship and was outfitted for war. For the next two years the Alabama wreaked havoc on the seaborne commerce of the North by destroying more than 60 ships valued at nearly $6,000,000. On June 11, 1864, the Alabama was in need of repair and docked in Cherbourg, France. Then the Union steam sloop Kearsarge arrived in port and on June 19 the two ships sailed out to do battle. As they circled, each trying to cross the others bow, the Alabama fired 150 rounds, but its powder and shells were of lesser quality than that of the Kearsarge. Of the 100 rounds fired by the Kearsarge, one shell tore open a section of the Alabama at its waterline and it sank.

Keeping History: Plains Indian Ledger Drawings Homepage

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:56:07 GMT

The drawings included in this online exhibition are first-person records of military conflicts, cultural life, and "Americanization." The website shares an American Indian perspective on westward expansion through primary sources. In the late 19th century, life was changing rapidly for the Natives who lived on the northern and southern plains. Native men developed a way of recording history through drawings on paper, often called "ledger drawings," in a mixture symbolic and representational illustration styles.

Kermit the Frog Puppet

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:04:48 GMT

Kermit, a hand and rod puppet created in 1955 by Jim Henson, belongs to America's beloved puppet troupe, The Muppets. Kermit has served as master of ceremonies, comic, and crusader for tolerance in Henson's many creative endeavors. His most memorable role was as the leading Muppet character on Sesame Street (1969-), a public television show that revolutionized children's TV by teaching lessons through colorful cartoons and live action scenes. His hit song, "It's Not Easy Being Green" addressed racial and ethnic tensions. Kermit also played a lead role in The Muppet Show (1976-1980).

Knife, Fork, and Plate from Libby Prison

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:04:38 GMT

During the Civil War, Libby Prison held over 125,000 men, mostly Union officers. This knife, fork, and plate was issued to prisoner of war Colonel John S. Crocker, 93rd Infantry Regiment, New York Volunteers, by the commandant of Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, and used by him at Libby and Salisbury prisons, 1862.

La Llorona Doll

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:22:31 GMT

La Llorona, or the Weeping Woman, is the frightening figure of a heartbroken woman who drowned her children and haunts the night, especially by riversides. Her story is repeated to children throughout Latin America, with numerous versions circulating throughout Mexico and the American Southwest.

She has been identified as the Aztec goddess Coatlicue, who, according to one legend, was heard weeping for her Aztec children on the eve of the Spanish conquest. Some identify her as the damned ghost of a poor woman from Ciudad Juárez, who stabbed her children and disposed of them in the Rio Grande in order to win the affection of a wealthy man. According to another legend, La Llorona is actually La Malinche, the crucial interpreter and lover of Hernán Cortés. After the fall of the Aztec capital, and having borne Cortés's first son, La Malinche was replaced by Cortés's first wife (who had been awaiting him in Cuba) and was hastily married off to one of his Spanish companions. La Malinche and La Llorona, whether considered as overlapping or totally separate figures, reappear frequently in Mexican popular culture, north and south of the border.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

La Malinche

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:12:46 GMT

La Malinche, the title of this lithograph, was the indigenous woman who translated for Cortés between Maya, Náhuatl, and Spanish during his first years in Mexico. Considered either as a traitor or a founding mother by some Mexicans, La Malinche was Cortés' lover and the mother of his favorite son Martín. She and Moctezuma are also central figures in the Matachines dances that are performed in Mexico and New Mexico. Originally commemorating the expulsion of the Moors from southern Spain in 1492, the dance was brought to Mexico where it was treated as a means for Christianizing native peoples. The historical figure of La Malinche, known in Spanish by the name Doña Marina, is also credited for playing an almost miraculous role in the early evangelization of central Mexico. This print, made by Jean Charlot in the 1933, shows a young girl in the role of La Malinche, holding a rattle or toy in one hand, and a sword in the other. Jean Charlot, a French-born artist, lived and studied in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s. He depicted stylized scenes from the daily life of Mexican workers, particularly indigenous women.

La Tierra Nueva en Aztlán

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:23:48 GMT

The evolving civil rights movement of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s revolutionized the consciousness of young people across the United States. As in African American communities, a new sense of mobilization spread among Mexican Americans. Many adopted a more political identity—chicano and chicana—and explored their history, which was omitted from school textbooks. The Chicano movement sought to remedy the injustices experienced by many Mexican Americans, from substandard education and housing to working conditions. Many symbols and ideas of the Chicano movement were taken from the pre-Hispanic past, especially Aztec history. Aztlán, the original homeland in the Aztec migration stories, has an important place in Chicano mythology. As a symbolic reclamation of their place in American history, Chicanos locate Aztlán in the Southwest United States, in the area conquered during the Mexican-American War. The image shown here, by Manuel Moya, is an ink drawing done on a handkerchief known as a paño. Paños are graphic art works drawn on handkerchiefs by Chicano prisoners in California, Texas, and the Southwest. Titled, La Tierra Nueva en Aztlán, or The New Land in Aztlán, it combines the images of the Aztec past with a Pancho Villa-like figure from the Mexican Revolution.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Lace collar

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:18:02 GMT

In Puerto Rico, the traditional center of lace making is the town of Moca. There, lace is made by hand on bobbins and is known as mundillo. Bobbin lace is a complicated process of weaving together different spools of thread held in place by pins. Lace making today is undergoing a resurgence of popularity among a new generation of lace makers on and off the island.

Lady's Compact

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:08:12 GMT

This oval lady's compact is made in the shape of a telephone dial. On the dial appears "I LIKE IKE," with a map of the United States in the center. The point is that anywhere you might dial over the country, everybody likes Ike!

Lakota Winter Counts

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:00:02 GMT

Winter counts are calendars that the Lakota used to mark the passage of time. This online exhibition features a searchable database of Smithsonian winter count images, a documentary about Lakota history and culture and video interviews with Lakota people Through the use of this website, Students will learn about Native American culture by examining winter counts and listening to the stories of the people with personal connections to the winter-count-keeping tradition. A teacher's guide includes background information, guidelines for teaching about winter counts, downloadable images and lesson plans for students in grades K-10.

Lanyard and Pick

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:09:35 GMT

Soldiers who were held prisoner faced enormous boredom. They would often find debris and use it to make objects to pass the time.

Lap Blanket

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:42:34 GMT

The American flag is a powerful symbol of freedom and independence for many activist groups who wish to claim full rights as citizens . This commercially marketed lap blanket was altered by hand to include the universal access symbol made up of stitched stars.

Learning About Museums

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:05:51 GMT

What do museums do? In this classroom activity, students will recognize the Smithsonian Institution and be able to explain what a museum does. This is accomplished through the use of discussion questions and activities in which they relate stories from prior museum visits or share ideas for a museum that they would like to create. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Leaving Things Behind

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:01:22 GMT

What would you take if you were suddenly forced to move? In this activity, students will make this decision after reading and responding to a quote by a woman who was forced to move to a Japanese American internment camp during World War II. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Leg Silque Liquid Stockings

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:02:08 GMT

While leg makeup has been commercially available since the 1920s, it wasn't until rationing was introduced during the World War II that the product became an essential commodity for many American women. Unable to procure silk or nylon hose, many women resorted to painting their legs with products such as Leg Silque Liquid Stockings, made in Boston, Mass., by the Langlors Company. Some industrious users even drew black lines down the backs of their legs to simulate the seams.

Legacies: Collecting America's History at the Smithsonian

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:01:58 GMT

This resource allows students to browse the two hundred and fifty artifacts included in the Legacies: Collecting Americas History at the Smithsonian collection. It also includes descriptions of each artifact, interpretations of how the artifacts fit into broader themes in American history, and brief case studies explaining the method historians use to discover meaning from seemingly ordinary historic treasures.

Legendary Coins and Currency Homepage

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:55:25 GMT

This highly interactive online exhibition includes a game and timeline and allows students to rotate and zoom in on objects from the National Numismatic Collection for detailed examination. A glossary linked to the exhibition will help students learn challenging vocabulary. History, at times, gives certain objects special significance, and they become legendary. Unlike money that changes hands daily, legendary coins and currency are larger than life, and tell a unique history of the United States. Legendary Coins and Currency shows how major events in the nation's history have played a role in the evolution of America's money and determined how a select few pieces of currency have become important symbols of the American experience.

Legendary Coins and Currency Timeline

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:55:25 GMT

This interactive timeline will introduce students to a unique and interesting perspective of American history as they navigate chronologically through the objects included in the online exhibition entitled Legendary Coins and Currency. The timeline spans the years 1652 through 1974 and includes artifacts from every era of American history. Clicking on the images on the timeline will allow students to rotate and zoom in on objects from the National Numismatic Collection for detailed examination.

LeMat Revolver

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:10:41 GMT

The LeMat revolver was a favorite of famous high-ranking Confederate officers, such as J. E. B. Stuart.

Lenses and Lighthouses

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:09:01 GMT

Have you ever wondered how the lights in lighthouses are so bright? In this activity, students will examine a Fresnel lens to develop an understanding of how some lighthouse lenses work. They will then apply their knowledge of the lighthouse lens technology to imagine a new invention using a lighthouse lens to complete a different task. Included in an OurStory module entitled Life on the Water, this activity is intended to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Lewis and Clark as Naturalists

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:47:49 GMT

This online exhibition focuses on the natural history specimens that were collected by Lewis and Clark on their historic expedition. The site contains images of museum specimens, scientific drawings, and field photos of the plant and animal species observed and described by Lewis and Clark, along with journal excerpts, historical notes, and references for many of these examples as well as the date and location of observation. An interactive collection search allows students to search the specimens by species, date, location, or through the use of an interactive map. A teacher's guide includes standards-based lesson plans and activity ideas for grades 1-12 as well as vignettes that provide additional perspective on some of the plants that were described in the journals of the expedition members.

Lewis and Clark Expedition Pocket Compass

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:46:27 GMT

In the spring of 1803, Meriwether Lewis began to purchase scientific and mathematical instruments for a pending expedition into the northwestern region of North America. Among the items he purchased from Philadelphia instrument maker Thomas Whitney were three pocket compasses and this silver-plated pocket compass.

Lewis and Clark Mapping the West

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:54:08 GMT

Cartography and the making of maps is the focus of this online exhibiiton. This site features online access to Lewis and Clark maps and other primary sources, and provides related activities and lesson plans. Students will learn the art of map making by examining the methods Lewis and Clark used to make maps during their famous journey of discovery. Exploration maps from both before and after their voyage show how their efforts fundamentally changed knowledge of the geography of the West. Learning activities imbedded within the exhibition as well as fully developed lesson plans are also included.

Lewis and Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:53:36 GMT

This website, produced by the Missouri Historical Society, was produced to coincide with a traveling exhibition celebrating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark exhibition. Students can explore the entire journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery through the use of an interactive map, thematic units and an image gallery. Primary source documents, objects, oral histories and historical quotes tell the story of this pivotal episode in America's history from the perspectives of those involved in the expedition as well as the people they encountered. Resources for teachers include classroom activities written for upper elementary, middle and high school students.

Lexington and Concord: A Historical Interpretation Lesson

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:41:31 GMT

Engage middle school students in historical document analysis with three contrasting images of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Using a graphic organizer, students will examine three primary sources and analyze the different perspectives presented in each. After completing the analysis, students will display their interpretations of the "true" story in their own illustrations. This lesson plan includes background information, full-color images of primary sources, and a student worksheet.

This lesson plan was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Library of Congress

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:57:25 GMT

The Library of Congress, established in 1800 serves as the research arm of Congress and is recognized as the national library of the United States. Its collections comprise the world's most comprehensive record of human creativity and knowledge. Open to those above high school age without charge or special permission, it is the world's largest library and a great resource to scholars and researchers.

Life and Death in the White House

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:09:19 GMT

Students will learn about the public, private and official uses of the presidential mansion, the White House, and the realities of life for the President of the United States in this section of the online exhibition entitled The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. In addition, the death of presidents and life after office are discussed.

Life Cycle of the Poliovirus Animation

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:28:13 GMT

This activity will help students understand how polio affected the lives of Americans throughout the 20th century. By viewing the animated Lifecycle of the Polio Virus, students will learn how the poliovirus begins the infection process. This game is part of the online exhibition, Whatever Happened to Polio?

Life in a Sod House Homepage

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:20:07 GMT

Students will learn about life on the prairie and in sod houses in this OurStory module, entitled Life in a Sod House. The module includes the interactive activity Building a Sod House, hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings related. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp Homepage

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:54:07 GMT

In this OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp, students will learn about the lives of Japanese American children who were forced to leave their homes and move to internment camps during World War II. The module includes links to hands-on activities, pertinent websites, and a list of recommended readings. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Life on the Water

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:10:40 GMT

For hundreds of years, seacoasts, rivers, lakes, and canals have had a big impact on the ways America has changed as a country. By using this OurStory module from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, children and adults can enjoy exploring lighthouses and the maritime history of the United States together through children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Keep the Lighthouse Burning, Abbie, a work of children's literature about a teenage girl who becomes a hero by running her father's lighthouse during a storm, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

Lighting a Revolution

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:33:28 GMT

Explore the process of invention and compare Thomas Edison's well-known work on the electric light bulb a century ago with several modern lighting inventions with this online activity. This resource looks at the process of innovation through a sequence of five steps: preconditions, invention, promotion, competition and consequences. A guest lounge and library include two photo galleries, scripts and curator notes for the exhibition, a mystery object, technical reference and historical overviews.

Limits of Presidential Power

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:41:25 GMT

Students will explore the importance of the system of checks and balances, Congress, the Supreme Court, impeachment, public opinion and the press in restricting the power of the president in this section of the online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.

Lincoln at 200

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:46:58 GMT

This website, produced by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Chicago History Museum, is part of the bicentennial celebration of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The site features 2 exhibitions about Lincoln and searchable database of objects. A Museums and the Web Best of the Web Award nominee, this site is an outstanding place for students to view background and primary source resources regarding Lincoln.

Lincoln, Race and the American Presidency Lecture Video

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:59:07 GMT

In this archived panel discussion, experts discuss Abraham Lincoln's views on race issues in the context of his mid-19^th century contemporaries. Beyond discussing slavery and emancipation, the panel of experts explores historical and modern perspectives on colonization, voting, and interracial marriage and other political and social rights.

This lecture is one in a series about issues that Abraham Lincoln faced as president that continue to confront the nation today.

Lincoln, the Smithsonian, and Science Lecture Video

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:01:01 GMT

In this archived panel discussion, experts compare and contrast the impact of science and technology on the role of the presidency for President Abraham Lincoln and President Barack Obama. The experts explore the interactions between President Lincoln and the Smithsonian Institution, how the Civil War was influenced by technology, and the innovations that could change modern America.

This lecture is one in a series about issues that Abraham Lincoln faced as president that continue to confront the nation today.

Living in the Atlantic World 1450-1800

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:58:14 GMT

Students will learn how Atlantic-based trade shaped modern world history and life in America, and explore the web of maritime connections between Western Europe, western and central Africa, and the Americas that made up the Atlantic world in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Topics covered are the tobacco and sugar trades, the Middle Passage and the transatlantic slave trade, and the piracy that plagued the Caribbean Sea and North American coast during this period.

Looking at Memorials

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:53:02 GMT

Field trips to memorials are great ways to learn about how communities remember important events. In this activity, students will do a digital field trip to learn more about the Pentagon’s memorial for September 11,2001, and then visit a local memorial. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes discussion prompts and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Looking Back on Brown vs. Board of Education

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:08:06 GMT

This National Public Radio Website about the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling is a great resource for both students and teachers. The website contains audio excerpts from various NPR programming on the topic of segregation in schools. Inlcuded are a rare interview with Thurgood Marshall, letters that were written to President Eisenhower about the ruling and a Tavis Smiley interview entitled School life, Before and After Brown.

Lost in the Coin Vault

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:55:25 GMT

In this interactive game, students will enhance their analytical skills as they decipher clues and closely examine objects from the National Numismatics Collection in order to solve mysteries and escape from the coin vault. A fun way to learn about numismatics and explore American history, this activity is one of the learning resources included in Legendary Coins and Currency, an online exhibition.

Louis Armstrong Education Kit

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:49:28 GMT

This kit of guided listening activities and streaming music offers an engaging way of introducing students to jazz. It traces Louis Armstrong's career as a musician, from influences in African rhythms and New Orleans marches through performances in the 1960's and 70's. It could also be used as an introduction to using music and sound recordings as primary sources.

Although the PDFs of the guide refer to an audio CD, the same music is made available online as streaming media.

Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:50:08 GMT

St. Louis Cardinal Stan “The Man” Musial (b. 1920) used this Louisville Slugger to collect his 3,000th hit on May 13, 1958, in Chicago's Wrigley Field. The umpires later presented him with the bat.

Lydia Dickman's Sampler

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:26:29 GMT

By the 1700s, samplers depicting alphabets and numerals were worked by young women to learn the basic needlework skills needed to operate the family household. The earliest dated sampler in the museum's collection was made in 1735 by Lydia Dickman of Boston, Massachusetts. By the late 1700s and early 1800s, schools or academies for well-to-do young women flourished, and more elaborate pieces with decorative motifs such as verses, flowers, houses, religious, pastoral, and/or mourning scenes were being stitched. The parents of these young women proudly displayed their embroideries as showpieces of their work, talent, and status.

MAS*H Sign Post

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:06:11 GMT

Declaring the distances to such places as Boston, San Francisco, and Toledo, this sign post graced the set of M*A*S*H during the show's run. Set in Korea during the 1950s, the show revolved around the work and antics of the staff of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH). Its final episode on February 28, 1983, was the most–watched television program of all time.

Magazine Cover Gallery

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:03:02 GMT

Through the use of use of authentic magazine covers, objects from the museum's collections, a timeline and brief video news clips, students will explore the themes of the home front during World War II: the war effort; the ideals that were fought for, the diverse audiences that were targeted, and the varying uses of cover design by different companies. This resource is part of the online exhibition entitled July 1942: United We Stand.

Major General George McClellan's Coat Worn at Antietam

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:21:24 GMT

General Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North culminated in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. On September 17, 1862, General Robert E. Lee and 30,000 Confederate troops faced Major General George McClellan and 60,000 Union troops.

Major Lemuel Montgomery's Pistol

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:21:04 GMT

One of a pair of flintlock pistols Andrew Jackson presented to Major Lemuel P. Montgomery following the battle of Talladega. Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, would take its name from the major.

Make a Lightbulb

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:19:44 GMT

Thomas Edison changed our world with electric lights and an entire system that produced and delivered electrical power. Try your hand at making your own light bulb. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, a printable chart to record the experiment, and discussion questions. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Make a Mini Dance

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:56:58 GMT

Get creative and make a dance that spells out a special word or message! Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes step-by-step directions, discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Make a Polymer

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:20:25 GMT

A polymer is made up of tiny molecules in long, repeating chains, like paper clips hooked together. Polymers are all around us—even in our own bodies! Here's how you can make your own. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Make A Quilt Square

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:00:17 GMT

Quilts do more than just keep us warm; they preserve history by telling us stories about the people who made them. In this hands-on activity, students will learn about women's history by studying quilts. They will then make a quilt square in honor of a person who is important to them. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Great Women of Our Pasts. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Make a Yo-Yo from Recycled Stuff

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:20:59 GMT

Thomas Edison said, "To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." With these words of wisdom in mind, we challenge you to create your own yo-yo using items found in your recycling bin.This activity from Spark!Lab includes suggested procedures and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Make Your Own Buffalo Hide Painting

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:00:41 GMT

In this activity, students will learn about the culture of the Native American people of the Great Plains as they create their own buffalo hide paintings using a printable buffalo hide outline. Inspired by the Indians of the Great Plains, they will draw pictures of things that represent important events in their lives and their family's history, or draw a hide with a geometric design. The choice is up to them! This activity is included in the interactive website Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting.

Make Your Own Carnival Mask

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:00:35 GMT

In this activity, students will create their own paper mache Carnival masks as a way to learn about Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican culture. This resource is part of an OurStory module entitled A Puerto Rican Carnival. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Make your Own Fish Kite

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:13:49 GMT

In this activity, students will learn how to make their own fish kites, called koinobori. Koinobori are an important expression of Japanese culture that became an important part of life for children in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Making Sense of "Failed" Car Technology

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:20:51 GMT

Students can learn about the history of experimentation and innovation in the design of steam-powered, internal-combustion, electric, and solar-powered automobiles. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Making the Exhibition: America on the Move

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:25:31 GMT

Students can learn more about the America on the Move exhibition and how it was created. Students will go behind the scenes to learn about the many activities that comprise exhibition development: research, writing, design, object selection, acquisition, and care; construction; deinstallation; and installation. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history. It includes the following sections: About America on the Move; CTA Car 6719: From Scrap to History; Container Back Story; Creating an 1890s Orchard in a Museum; Exhibiting Transportation at the Smithsonian; How Did You Do It? Moving the 1401 into the Museum; Pete's Postcards; Tending Aids to Navigation; and What is an emblem?

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Classroom Videos

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:29:11 GMT

Watch four short videos to learn about the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation was created by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:30:19 GMT

In this activity, children will learn the story of the flag that inspired the national anthem. An OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner, the resource includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Teacher Guide for the Classroom Videos

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:29:36 GMT

Watch and discuss a 12-minute video of a theater presentation about the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore's Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag. The presentation and teacher guide were created by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where the flag that inspired the National Anthem is on display.

This teacher guide also includes suggested extension activities and lyrics to the complete "Star-Spangled Banner" song.

Manabi and Sumi Hirasaki National Resource Center

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:11:41 GMT

The mission of the Hirasaki National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum is to provide access to the Museum's diverse collections related to Japanese Americans. The National Resource Center develops a collection of secondary materials that document the Japanese American experience. Access is provided not only to this reference collection, but also to the Museum's collections (primary materials) and to the institutional archives. Because education is a life-long pursuit, the Hirasaki National Resource Center is committed to providing service to all ages and skill levels.

Man-in-Service Flag

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:08:08 GMT

When displayed in a home, business, or church, the flag indicates that one member of the family or other group is actively serving in the armed forces. A blue star indicates a member currently serving, while a gold star indicates a member killed while serving.

Manpack Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:30:05 GMT

The Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of NAVSTAR satellites in earth orbit that send signals to receivers on land, sea, or in the air. The system became operational in 1978. Its military usefulness was demonstrated during Operation Desert Storm (1991), when coalition troops with receivers were able to navigate quickly and with great precision in the relatively featureless desert, thus having a significant tactical advantage over Iraqi forces.

Map of Eastern North America

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:30:47 GMT

This Dutch map, made about 1655, shows eastern North America from what is now Canada to Virginia. Illustrations within the map include local wildlife as well as Indian villages on land, and Indians in boats at sea. The lower right corner of the map contains an inset of Nieuw Amsterdam, the third known engraved view of that city which is now New York

Maracas

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:21:09 GMT

This variety of maracas, made of cow leather and sinew, is used in musical genres like guaracha, son, and salsa. They are of different sizes, so that one is pitched higher and the other, lower. In contrast, the Afro-Puerto Rican musical tradition known as bomba uses a larger, single maraca in its performances.

March on Washington Handbill

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:28:45 GMT

The March on Washington, August 28, 1963, was the largest civil rights demonstration the nation had ever witnessed. One hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation, 250,000 Americans of all races gathered to petition the government to pass meaningful civil rights legislation and enforce existing laws establishing racial equality. The March for Jobs and Freedom was conceived by A. Philip Randolph, leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, coordinated by Bayard Rustin, and supported by almost all the major civil rights organizations and many labor unions and religious organizations. Its speakers included Randolph, John Lewis, James Farmer, Walter Reuther, and Martin Luther King Jr., whose "I Have a Dream" speech invoked the hopes of all Americans seeking racial justice.

This handbill was donated in 1964 by Rev. Walter Fauntroy, a principle organizer and chairman of the Washington, D.C., coordinating committee. It is one of many items in the Museum's civil rights collection that helps document and preserve this pivotal event in American history.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Marine Patent Models

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:04:04 GMT

Students will learn about the history of maritime invention. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Maritime Munchies

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:03:15 GMT

What kinds of food do you eat? How do the foods you eat today compare to the types of foods that sailors ate during long voyages of the past? In this activity, students will cook one or more historical maritime recipes and then compare the foods they eat to what was served on ships in the past. Included in an OurStory module entitled Life on the Water, this activity is intended to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Maritime Nation 1800-1850

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:52:07 GMT

Students will learn how shipbuilders, mariners, and maritime merchants helped the United States defend itself and grow in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Topics covered are the roles that privateers played during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, immigration, early steam travel and coastal shipping in the Atlantic Ocean, the California Gold Rush, and the life-saving technology that was used to rescue the victims of shipwrecks.

Maritime Voices: Merchant Mariners and Shipyard Workers Remember World War II

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:30:20 GMT

Listen to oral history recordings and examine related primary source materials to learn the stories of the men and women who built and sailed on Liberty Ships to support the allied war effort during World War II. The Web site encourages students to take on the role of historian by presenting them with a variety of related primary source materials and historical questions. These resources are part of the online exhibition On the Water: Stories from Maritime America.

Massachusetts, 20 Shillings, 1690

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:17:03 GMT

Called upon by the British government to help fight the French in Canada in 1689, Massachusetts authorities were hard-put to comply, because official money was unavailable. The Hull/Sanderson mint, which had created Pine Tree Shillings and other coins, had been closed on Crown orders years before, and all coinage was now in extremely short supply.

Then someone had an idea: Why not issue paper certificates to pay for the supplies and troops that Massachusetts was expected to contribute?...

Massachusetts, Pine Tree Shilling, "1652" (struck 1667-1674)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:37:02 GMT

As early as 1650, the colony of Massachusetts Bay was a commercial success. But an inadequate supply of money put its future development in jeopardy. England was not inclined to send gold and silver coins to the colonies, for they were in short supply in the mother country.

Taking matters into their own hands, Boston authorities allowed two settlers, John Hull and Robert Sanderson, to set up a mint in the capital in 1652. The two were soon striking silver coinage-shillings, sixpences, and threepences. Nearly all of the new coins bore the same date: 1652.

This was the origin of America's most famous colonial coin, the pine tree shilling...

Matchlock Musket

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:37:59 GMT

This musket was most likely one of the muskets used to arm the militia. The stock is branded "Newtowne" for its place of origin, Newtowne, Massachusetts, which was established as an outpost of Boston in 1631.

Material and Symbol: The Lincoln-Keckley Dress

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:25:35 GMT

This teacher's resource challenges students to think about the Lincoln-Keckley as an object that has multiple symbolic meanings. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and 3 lesson plans focused on the multiple meanings of the dress, the evolving role of the first lady and the advent of mass media. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to slavery, abolition, gender and consumption in the mid-nineteenth century.

Math and Measuring the Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:54:48 GMT

Just how big is the Star-Spangled Banner? In this classroom activity, students will visualize the area of the famous flag by measuring pieces of string and attaching them to create an outline of the Star-Spangled Banner. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

McClellan Saddle

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:40:00 GMT

Captain George B. McClellan toured Europe with a military commission looking at new military tactics. He returned and developed a new modified cavalry saddle. In 1859, the U.S. War Department adopted the McClellan saddle. They remained the standard issue throughout the history of the horse cavalry...

McClellan's Chess Set

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:39:38 GMT

Chess set used by Major General George McClellan during the Civil War.

McClellan's Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:39:18 GMT

This lighter, smaller-caliber Navy model was popular with ranking army officers, including General George McClellan.

Measuring the Flag

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:04:33 GMT

Studying the Star-Spangled Banner is a great chance to combine history and math! In this classroom activity, students apply historical information to math problems to gain an understanding of the flag's size. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Meet Your Local League

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:16:18 GMT

Take a trip or conduct a phone interview with a member of the League of Women Voters. The League of Women Voters was created in 1920 to help organize women voters and encourage their active participation in civic life. Part of an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity includes recommendations for learning about and contacting a local chapter of the League of Women Voters, along with suggested discussion questions for either a trip to a meeting or a phone interview with a local member of the League. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Mercury fuming box for daguerreotypes used by Samuel F. B. Morse

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:32:41 GMT

This Mercury fuming box for developing daguerreotypes is certainly among the earliest photographic equipment used in America, dating 1839-1840. Working closely with Dr. J.W. Draper in New York, Morse was instrumental in promoting photography in America, furthering experimentation, and producing early examples of the daguerreotypes...

Mexican Army Frock Coat

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:26:07 GMT

This uniform coat would have been worn by a lieutenant in the Artillery of the Mexican army.

Mexican Cavalry Flintlock

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:26:07 GMT

English-made Mexican cavalry flintlock carbine, .58 caliber marked with the Mexican symbol of an eagle devouring a snake.

Mexican Guerrilleros

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:24:51 GMT

This lithograph illustrates the chaos and conflict engulfing northern Mexico during the years of the Mexican-American War from 1846-1848. In these years the United States organized an Army of Occupation, initially led by General Zachary Taylor, to capture cities like Monterrey in preparation for a later assault on the Mexican heartland. The figure on horseback is a Mexican guerilla fighter.

Mexican Kitchen

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:22:33 GMT

The French-born artist Jean Charlot spent his early career during the 1920s in Mexico City. His 1948 lithograph depicts a scene from the domestic life of a Mexican indigenous woman, a favorite theme of the artist. Household work-without the aid of most, if any, electrical appliances-was a full-time job for many working-class and poor Mexican women, north and south of the border, well into the 20th century. Food preparation was especially labor-intensive. Corn had to be processed, wood gathered, and water fetched, in the midst of child rearing and other household duties. This was the daily fare of most women, who rarely worked outside the home after marriage. Mexican American women who found work in cities like El Paso in the early 20th century were either single or widowed. Many worked as domestic servants, others in industrial laundries or textile mills. Like today, some women turned to their kitchens to earn a living, making meager profits selling prepared food on the street to Mexican American workers and Mexican migrants.

Mexican War Broadside

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:23:18 GMT

Recruiting poster printed with "Volunteers for Mexico." Broadsides (single sheets of paper usually printed on one side) served as public announcements or advertisements soon after the beginning of printing.

Michael Yamashita, Inc.

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:12:19 GMT

Yamashita began taking pictures in 1971 while on a self-styled "roots" trip to Japan. What began as a pastime led to a career combining his two passions—photography and travel. He has been a regular contributor to the National Geographic since 1979 and has worked in such diverse locations as Somalia and Sudan, England and Ireland, New Guinea and New Jersey. Although he has traveled to six continents, Asia is his special area of concentration. He has lived in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan, and shoots for a variety of Asian publications. Fluent in Japanese, he has covered Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:21:54 GMT

The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums is a non-profit membership organization, founded in 1945. The organization represents museums professionals, organizations, institutions and museum service providers. The website is a forum to enhance the image of museums and educate individuals on an array of field specific study and programs. The association chiefly represents those museum interests in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Middle Passage: Olaudah Equiano, Enslaved African Man

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:22:57 GMT

Olaudah Equiano’s first-person account recalls his terrifying journey as an 11-year-old captive aboard a slave ship from Africa to Barbados in 1756. Listen to a dramatic reading of his narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Life at Sea: 1680 to 1806,” which includes five perspectives on maritime life in the colonial period and early America.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Mississippi Rifle

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:48:16 GMT

This gun derives its nickname of the "Mississippi rifle" from the Mississippi Riflemen led by Jefferson Davis. The Mexican-American War began in 1846. Davis looked favorably upon the war as the United States stood to acquire considerable land south of the Missouri Compromise line. It was an area in which Southern institutions could expand. Davis resigned his House seat in June and rejoined the army. On July 18, 1846 he was elected colonel of the First Regiment of Mississippi Riflemen. In September of the same year, he participated in the successful siege of Monterrey, Mexico. In June, the army offered him an appointment as brigadier general of a militia unit, but he declined. In traditional Southern style, he believed the appointment was unconstitutional. The United States Constitution, he argued, gives the power of appointing militia officers to the states, not to the federal government.

Mister Rogers's Sweater

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:54:16 GMT

This red knit cardigan was worn by Fred Rogers, creator and host of the children's program, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (PBS, 1968-2001). For more than thirty years, Rogers began each episode by changing into a sweater and tennis shoes and singing, "Won't you be my neighbor?"
An ordained Presbyterian minister, Rogers dedicated his television career to promoting children's emotional and moral well-being. His show, with its friendly conversational style and trips to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, encouraged young viewers to feel loved, respected, and special.

Mobilizing Children on the World War II Homefront

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:07:17 GMT

Take a close look at propaganda cartoons and other primary sources to analyze how young Americans were mobilized for the War. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Mobilizing Minds: Teaching Science and Math in the Age of Sputnik

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:22:29 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will learn how fear of Soviet domination galvanized reform in science and math education during the 1950's and 60's. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth. In order win the "Space Race", the United States urgently needed both a select group of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers; and a general population of mathematically and scientifically informed citizens.

Model 1842 Harpers Ferry Rifle

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:48:49 GMT

Model 1842 Harpers Ferry percussion musket had a smoothbore barrel. After the adoption of the .58-caliber minie bullet in 1855, musket barrels were rifled.

Model of the Monitor

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:50:57 GMT

Built by contract with John Ericsson at Green Point, Long Island, and launched January 30, 1862, the USS Monitor saw its first naval action at Hampton Roads, Virginia, on March 9, 1862. Despite the CSS Virginia being almost twice its size, with ten guns, the Monitor with its two eleven-inch turret guns held its own. The engagement ended in a draw. The Monitor sank in a gale off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on December 31, 1862.

Model of the Ship Rattlesnake

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:42:36 GMT

The Revolutionary War privateer Rattlesnake was designed in 1779-80 by John Peck. It was built in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the style of a miniature frigate and was armed with up to 20 guns and a complement of 85 men. While there is little history of this privateer, it is known that it was captured by the British in 1781. It was taken by the Royal Navy and sold soon after.

Modern Maritime America 1950-Present

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:06:14 GMT

Maritime activity is as important as ever, and it affects the lives of people everywhere. The importance of shipping to today's global economy and the types of ships that transport goods throughout the world are the focus of this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Students will learn of their personal connections to maritime enterprise and the role that global shipping plays in their everyday lives.

Montgomery Bus Boycott Comic Artifact Exploration

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:53:48 GMT

Students can guide themselves to a deeper understanding of the Montgomery bus boycott with this 2-page activity sheet. The sheet includes description and analysis questions to use alongside the digitized version of a comic book about the nonviolent bus boycotts, suggestions for other related online resources, and possible extension activities. The student activity sheet is written for middle or high school students who are fluent in English.

The digitized document is a part of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship, a learning portal for recent immigrants studying for naturalization. The online descriptive captions are written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Morse Daguerreotype Camera

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:43:54 GMT

Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872), an artist and inventor of the telegraph, was in Paris in 1839 sharing the scientific and celebrity stage with Daguerre. The two inventors shared notes on their inventions and Morse returned to the US with a camera, perhaps the first camera in the United States...

Morse Telegraph Register

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:31:54 GMT

This telegraph register, manufactured in accord with the Morse patent, was installed in 1848 in South Bend, reputedly the first telegraph office in Indiana. Stamped on the base is "j. Burritt & son ithaca." Pulses of electricity caused the two vertical electromagnets (on the right) to pull against an iron bar attached to the horizontal brass lever arm. The other end of the arm then pressed a metal stylus against a strip of paper tape (not shown) which was pulled through a pair of rollers by the clockwork mechanism. This caused short and long marks (dots and dashes) to be embossed on the paper. Morse specified this embossing process because he found that pens tended to get clogged when he tried to use ink. The apparatus also made a clicking noise, and operators soon found that they could "read" messages by ear, making the tape unnecessary. By the 1850s, "sounders" began to replace registers. These simple, rugged instruments were ideally suited to the American situation, where many offices were in isolated locations without easy access to repair facilties.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Mount Vernon

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:57:27 GMT

This is a link to the official website of George Washington’s famous Virginia home. The site presents information about life at Mount Vernon, as well as detailed information about Washington himself. For teachers and students wishing to learn about George Washington, this website is a good place to start. Students can take an online tour of the Mount Vernon plantation, and there are ready-made lesson plans for teachers to use with their classes. Information about slave life at Mount Vernon is also readily available.

Mourning Picture

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:45:54 GMT

This embroidered mourning picture was embroidered in Lititz, Pennsylvania, about 1816, using silk thread, silk chenille, gold spangles, watercolor, and ink on silk fabric. In a gilded wood frame, it measured 25" x 25", and its black mat is reverse-painted on the glass. Mourning designs appear in many 19th-century decorative arts, including needlework. Embroidered landscapes, usually worked by schoolgirls, often show relatives or friends grieving before a monument dedicated to a lost loved one.

Movement and Migration: The Gold Nugget That Launched the Gold Rush

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:41:38 GMT

This teacher's resource challenges students to think about the gold nugget that began the California gold rush as a valuable resource for understanding westward expansion and the idea of Manifest Destiny. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and 3 lesson plans focused on the Gold Rush experience. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to western history and the California gold rush.

This resource is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

Mr. Lincoln's Hat

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:08:39 GMT

In this activity, children create top hats out of paper by reading or listening to directions that use simple terms from geometry. After making the hat, they measure their heights with and without the hat, and then take a picture wearing the hat. This resource is included in an OurStory module, entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Mr. President: Profiles of Our Nation's Leaders

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:16:00 GMT

This site features a timeline of presidents, each represented with a portrait, basic biographical facts, a quote, and a note about his tenure in office.

Muhammad Ali's Boxing Robe and Gloves

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:22:57 GMT

Muhammad Ali gained fame for his boxing skills, charisma and the controversy he generated outside the ring...

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:44:24 GMT

This partner reviewed site provides visitors with access to information about Puerto Rican arts and culture. This information is presented in Spanish. El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR) is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum.

Music and Mobility

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:24:01 GMT

Sstudents can learn about sheet music based on transportation themes from the collections of the Museum's Archives Center. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Music, Poetry and History: The National Anthem

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:56:25 GMT

The national anthem describes an actual event in American history. In this classroom activity, students will be able to recite the first verse and paraphrase "The Star-Spangled Banner." Students will also be able to explain why Francis Scott Key wrote these words in 1814. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Musician's Uniform Frock Coat and Cap

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:53:41 GMT

General Philip H. Sheridan loved music and took a personal interest in his bands. Performing under fire was commonplace for bands under his command. They performed at the front during battle playing the liveliest airs in their repertory.

Nation at the Crossroads: The Great New York Debate over the Constitution, 1787-88

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:54:58 GMT

This website, produced by the New York Historical Society, focuses on the debate in New York regarding the ratification of the Constitution. This online exhibition takes the form of a timeline features primary source documents, newspapers, broadsides, portraits and objects, allowing students to follow the course of the debates in chronological order. Video clips with printable transcripts and a searchable image gallery add more depth to the content. This website was a recent Museums and the Web Best of the Web Award nominee.

National Archives and Records Administration

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:33:22 GMT

NARA makes available to the public the historically valuable records of the three branches of federal government: executive (including the President), legislative, and judicial. National Archives holdings include textual; audiovisual; cartographic and architectural; and electronic records.

National Geographic's Inside the White House

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:10:11 GMT

This website is a entertaining resource for students researching the history of the White House, and/or the American Presidency. The site contains an interactive map of Washington for students, as well as a section devoted entirely to younger kids. The site also has a section devoted to teachers, where teachers can access teacher-tested classroom activities, suggested readings, and more that will help students learn about the history of the White House and the presidency. Also included is an activity in which students can decorate the Oval office using objects that were favorites of former presidents!

National Japanese American Historical Society

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:38:19 GMT

The National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), founded in 1980 in San Francisco, is a non-profit membership supported organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of materials relating to the history and culture of Japanese Americans.

National Japanese American Memorial Foundation

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:40:02 GMT

Construction of the National Japanese American Memorial on Federal land was authorized by statute (PL 102-502) and signed into law by President George Bush on October 24, 1992. Initially intended to commemorate Japanese American War veterans, the purpose has been extended to honor the patriotism of all Japanese Americans During World War II. The project for the Memorial was initiated in 1988 by the "Go For Broke" National Veterans Association Foundation. With the expanded scope of the project, the Foundation has been renamed as the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation.

National Youth Summit: Abolition

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:41:16 GMT

In this webcast, a historian of 19th century slavery and slave literature, the Ambassador of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the US Department of State, the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass, and a high school student activist joined together with high school students from around the country and the world in a moderated panel discussion to reflect upon the abolition movement of the 19th century and explore its lessons for modern-day slavery and human trafficking. The program featured excerpts from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE documentary The Abolitionists. A conversation kit with discussion questions and lessons to prepare for the webcast is available here.

National Youth Summit: Dust Bowl

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:23:14 GMT

In this archived webcast related to Ken Burns’s film The Dust Bowl, thousands of high school students joined in a national dialogue regarding the Dust Bowl’s legacy on both the environment and the culture of the United States. Students discussed the importance of environmental awareness and the effects humans have on the natural world. In recognizing the Dust Bowl as an ecological disaster of primarily human origin, young people worked together to imagine ways a similar catastrophe could be avoided. Together, students across the country generated ideas for how each of us could be a responsible steward of the delicate environment in which we live. The National Museum of American History (NMAH) partnered with the National Endowment for the Humanities, WETA television, and Smithsonian Affiliations to present the National Youth Summit on the Dust Bowl.

National Youth Summit: Freedom Rides

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:57:11 GMT

In this webcast, students will hear from Freedom Rides veterans Congressman John Lewis, Jim Zwerg, Rev. James Lawson, and Diane Nash, and view clips from the PBS American Experience documentary Freedom Riders. The site includes a teachers guide and the webcast included questions from students at five locations across the country.

Naval Jumper

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:19:18 GMT

Physical Description
White cotton with gunner's mate patch on left sleeve.

Specific History
This jumper or shirt would have been worn by an enlisted seaman.

NBC Fireside Chat Microphone

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:55:54 GMT

"I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking." So began on March 12, 1933, the first of about thirty informal "Fireside Chat" addresses that President Franklin D. Roosevelt would deliver over the radio. His ability to communicate over this new medium directly and personally, addressing each listener as a respected friend, gave FDR a powerful tool to shape public opinion.

On March 4, 1933 Roosevelt became the 32nd president of the United States. No chief executive, with the exception of Abraham Lincoln, entered the White House confronted by such deep and troubling crises. The nation was mired in its longest and worst economic depression. Approximately a quarter of the work force was unemployed, industrial production was down by a third, and the banking system was collapsing. Internationally the economic crisis contributed to the rise of fascist governments in Europe and eventually World War II. A pragmatist and master politician, FDR boldly experimented with the power of the federal government to address the urgent problems facing the nation. Above all else, Roosevelt's greatest accomplishment was his ability to lead, inspire and assure Americans through some of the darkest years in the nation's history.

President Roosevelt was always rather amused that the name "Fireside Chat" was used to describe all the radio chats he would give during the course of his administration. He used to joke about the Washington weather, saying that it really wasn't proper for a fireside chat.

On the night of the first "Fireside Chat," the microphones were set up in the Lincoln Study. All subsequent chats were held in the Diplomatic Reception Room on the ground floor of the White House. This first night of the Fireside Chat launched a new era of the Presidency whereby the power of mass communications would be used to engage and reassure the American people.

The museum acquired this RCA Type 50-A microphone with the National Broadcasting Company logos on the top and sides in 1996. For many years it had been saved by Carleton Smith, who both set up the microphone for NBC and introduced the radio broadcasts.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

NCHS Social Studies Standards

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:44:05 GMT

This is a link to national standards of history written by the National Center for History in the Schools at the University of California, Los Angeles under the guidance of the National Council for History Standards. From this homepage, students and teachers can link to US and World history content standards as well as historical thinking skills standards for grades K-4 and 5-12.

Neighborhood Navigator

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:17:37 GMT

Use or create maps to explore your local area, along with discussion tips for kids and families. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes strategies for using online maps or making your own map of a trip and tips for making the most of those experiences through discussion and cooperative discovery. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

New American Roles

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:56:37 GMT

Students will learn about the United States' role as the world's only superpower folling the collapse of the Soviet Union, American involvement in the Persian Gulf War, the global war on terrorism that began with the attacks on September 11, 2001 and the invasion of Iraq in this section of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Americans struggled to define the roles they should play in the community of nations and fought to defend their interests against threats at home as well as abroad. A non-flash version of this site is available: New American Roles.

New England Museum Association

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:26:50 GMT

The New England Museum Association’s goal is to strengthen member museums in the region. NEMA fosters communication and ethical conduct; provides professional development; promotes excellence in museum operations; and encourages support for the museum community.

New Testament

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:44:24 GMT

New Testament owned by James H. Stetson, who was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.

New York Divided

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:23:53 GMT

This website, from the New York Historical Society, is a collection of two special exhibitions focused on slavery in antebellum New York. Both sites offer students interpretation of the people, places, and documents that define New York’s experience with slavery, culminating in New York’s role in the Civil War.

Newport Light Mitre Cap

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:45:06 GMT

On October 28, 1774, the Rhode Island General Assembly chartered the Newport Light Infantry as a voluntary association of local citizens. These citizens wanted to form a company to obtain better military training than the colonial militia provided. The infantry, 100 strong, demonstrated its patriotic fervor and could be seen around Newport uniformed and armed. With the occupation of Newport by the British in 1776, the company ceased to exist.

Night of the Dead

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:25:52 GMT

Though anchored in local Roman Catholic traditions, many of the religious beliefs and symbols of Mexican Americans have roots in indigenous notions about the soul and our universe. Between October 31st and November 2nd, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated with family, decorating home altars and visiting the graves of loved ones. A holiday with much regional and individual variation, it is traditionally an occasion to commemorate parents and grandparents with altars of marigolds, candles, alcohol, skeleton-shaped sweets, and other foods and personal objects favored by the dearly departed. Day of the Dead celebrations were reinvented across many Mexican American communities beginning in the 1970s, as the Chicano movement promoted and readapted Mexican cultural practices. Many artists since then have seized on the visual power of the altar as a conduit for personal and public memory. In the United States, Day of the Dead altars can be found interrogating life and critiquing politics in public places. Contemporary Day of the Dead celebrations have memorialized those who have died from AIDS, gang violence, the civil wars in Central America, and crossing the border. This lithograph, titled Night of the Dead, was originally drawn in ink by Alan Crane in 1958. Alan Horton Crane (1901 1969) was a Brooklyn-born illustrator best known for his landscapes and genre scenes of life in Mexico and New England. This image is part of a series of prints by Alan Crane housed in the Graphic Arts Collection of the National Museum of American History.

No. 5 Field Case Surgical Set

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:46:05 GMT

Many of the surgical sets used during the American Civil War were made to the specifications of the Union Army. This Civil War surgical set was made by George Tiemann & Company of New York City. Tiemann, who emigrated to America from Germany in 1826, was considered one of the finest surgical instrument makers of the 19th century.

Nobel Prize Medal

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:46:37 GMT

Edwin McMillan shared the 1951 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Glenn Seaborg. McMillan discovered element 93, or neptunium, in 1940 while working on the world's largest cyclotron at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Seaborg's discovery of element 94, or plutonium, was based on McMillan's discovery.

Notice of Justice

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:12:52 GMT

Physical Description
Handwriting on paper attached to bamboo.

Specific History
Emilio Aguinaldo’s address to the Philippine people, bearing his seal. The paper is attached to a woven bamboo board. It was found one morning hanging on a fence in the town of Bugasou, Panay, Philippine Islands.

General History
Emilio Aguinaldo was a leader of the 1896 Philippine revolt against Spain. As a result of the peace treaty which ended the fighting, he was exiled to Hong Kong in exchange for money, which he used to purchase weapons to continue the rebellion. When the United States declared war on Spain in 1898, Aguinaldo saw the opportunity to further the cause of Philippine independence by allying with the Americans. After peace was made with Spain, he declared the Philippines independent and proclaimed himself president. The United States refused to recognize the Philippine Republic, and Aguinaldo as its president; in 1899, he declared war on the occupying forces. After he was captured by the Americans in 1901, he swore his allegiance to the United States and subsequently withdrew from public life.

Nuclear Bomb Effects Computer

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:24:51 GMT

This circular slide rule describes the effects of a nuclear explosion on people. After World War II, scientists at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory prepared a report on forms of damage associated with the explosion of atomic bombs. These included physical damage, fire and heat, and nuclear radiation.

Object Portraits

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:39:01 GMT

This “getting to know you” activity asks kids to show who they are by composing a portrait made of their objects. It also introduces or reinforces an idea central to historical research—objects hold stories about the people who own them and when they lived. This activity suite is designed to offer a variety of ways to conduct the activity. This activity can also be paired with the National Museum of American History exhibition Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten.

Objection and Answer

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:46:41 GMT

Take a closer look at some of the Smithsonian's collection of "objection and answer" banners that displayed arguments for and against women's suffrage. Part of an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity includes a worksheet that encourages discussion of the women's suffrage movement along with images of the banners themselves. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Ocean Crossings 1870-1969

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:53:13 GMT

Ocean liners were ships of transport for immigrants and machines of leisure, status, and national prestige. Students will learn about the roles that these ships played during the massive immigration of people to the United States from both Europe and Asia during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries in this section of On the Water: Stories from Maritime America, an online exhibition. Students will also learn how passenger liners such as the Mauretania, Titanic, and the S.S. United States became a popular, and sometimes dangerous, mode of leisure travel for those who could afford it.

Old Sturbridge Village

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:11:55 GMT

This website allows students to take a tour of Sturbridge village, a living history museum that replicates rural live in the nineteenth century. Students who use this site will gain an understanding of early rural American life by navigating an illustrated map, searching an online artifact collection featuring over 60,000, and participating in online educational activities. The site also includes professionally developed lesson plans for teachers, over 500 primary source documents, a graphics database, and a collection of recipes from the past. The Kids Zone includes activities, puzzles and games for younger students.

On the Water Collection Search

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:17:33 GMT

This interactive collection search contains objects that are featured in the exhibition On the Water: Stories from Maritime America. Representing a broad sweep of American maritime history, these objects were collected over more than a century and reflect broad patterns of technological, economic, social, and cultural change.

On the Water: Stories from Maritime America Homepage

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:42:27 GMT

Students will understand the importance of maritime activity throughout the United States' history. Objects from the Museum's collections, audio and video clips, oral histories and narrative accounts provide a unique look into the maritime history of the United States. An interactive collections search, learning resources, and an extensive list of web links are included to extend the experience further. This online exhibition focuses on boats, ships and the lives of the men and women who lived, worked, traveled and died on them.

On Time: How America Has Learned to Live By the Clock

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

On Time explores the changing ways we have measured, used, and thought about time over the past three hundred years. With this online resource, students will learn how improvements in time keeping technology have led to the increased importance of efficiency, punctuality and regimentation in American life. The resource is divided into five chronological sections that demonstrate America's ever-changing relationship with time.

Oral History Activity with Jazz Great John Levy

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:01:39 GMT

In this lesson, students will learn about the Jim Crow era in American history through an oral history interview with jazz legend John Levy. The resource set includes photographs and newspaper clippings in addition to the oral history excerpts, a teacher guide, and a student worksheet. This interview was collected as part of the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

OurStory

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:24:43 GMT

OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through children’s literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities. Each OurStory module examines a moment in American history through a work of historical fiction and related activities and includes a reading guide for parents and caregivers.

Outdoor Survey

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:45:44 GMT

Lookout for plants and animals, and the ways that people have changed the natural environment. Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes step-by-step directions, a tally sheet, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Pac-Man Gumball Bank

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:07:04 GMT

In 1980, Namco released Pac-Man, an extremely popular video game designed by Toru Iwatani and distributed in North America by Bally/Midway. It was the first video game to spawn a marketing phenomenon, including licensed books, clocks, radios, a Saturday morning cartoon, and gadgets like this combination gumball machine and coin bank.

Page from the Koran

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:46:47 GMT

This page is one side of a double-sided sheet from a copy of the Koran, a collection of revelations to the Prophet Mohammed that forms the basis of the Islamic religion. Information within the book indicates that the scribe worked on it for 22 years and completed it in 1207 A.D. The black letters are in Arabic and the smaller red letters are in Persian. The book was found in Tehran, Iran, in 1952, and this sheet was donated to the Smithsonian Institution from the Biblical Library of Stanley S. Slotkin...

Paint By Number: Accounting for Taste in the 1950's

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:45:35 GMT

This online resource revisits the hobby of Paint by Number from the vantage point of the artists and entrepreneurs who created the popular paint kits, the cultural critics who reviled them, and the hobbyists who happily completed them and hung them in their homes. Students will learn how paint-by-number became a popular hobby in the United States during the 1950s and will gain insight into the debate over the rise of increased consumerism after World War II.

Pancho Villa Candle

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:33:24 GMT

Pancho Villa is one of the most recognizable leaders of the Mexico Revolution. This civil war, which lasted from 1910-1921, was fought to curb U.S. corporate interests and to redistribute agricultural lands, especially for indigenous communities. It was a social revolution that reasserted popular culture and the value of "Mexican-ness." It was also a prolonged, violent conflict that spread death and hunger throughout Mexico, spurring migrants north, mostly into El Paso, Los Angeles, and other historically Mexican U.S. cities. With them came ideas, images, and language for organizing laborers and the rural poor.

These ideas and images percolated in the popular culture of Mexican Americans and reappear in the art and activism of Chicanos in the 1960s and 1970s. On the back of this candle depicting Villa are prayers written in English and Spanish asking him to grant the petitioner some of the insight and prowess that enshrined this bandit, social revolutionary, and media star in the mythology of modern Mexico.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Paper Ballots

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:28:56 GMT

Nineteenth century paper ballots, known as party tickets, are discussed in the online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This section illustrates the methods of voting during the nineteenth century, in which each political party controlled the paper ballots used in elections. Students will learn about party ticket voting, as well as the restrictions and fraud that could result from this method. Through museum objects, advertisements, and images, students can explore paper balloting as well as the effects of the 15th Amendment on the practice of democracy.

Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop, Turn

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:26:09 GMT

Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop & Turn, an exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Libraries, presents more than 50 examples of action-packed constructions and inspired works of art spanning 500 years. The related Web site includes a blog, exhibition brochure, and video on the creation of pop-up books.

PBS American Experience: The Presidents

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:41:25 GMT

This website, related to the award-winning broadcasts of Presidential biographies, provides a wealth of excellent material related to Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan and George H. W. bush. Students can view individual chapters from each documentary and listen to podcasts that discuss the presidency in depth. Teacher’s materials related to the documentary films are also available.

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:58:40 GMT

The Pentagon Memorial Fund’s Web site offers an interactive map of the memorial, a video and other information about events on 9/11 both at and beyond the Pentagon, a space to read and share personal stories, and links to related organizations.

Pete's Postcards

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:15:30 GMT

Students can read the story of Pete Koltnow's 1950 hitchhiking trip across the country. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Photograph of a Blue Ash Tree

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:48:25 GMT

This photograph of a blue ash tree is one of forty-nine framed black and white photographic prints bequeathed to the Smithsonian by William F. Bucher of Washington, D.C. The collection represents a labor of love for Bucher, a cabinetmaker, who framed each photograph in wood of the same species as the tree depicted in the print...

Photograph of Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:05:10 GMT

A popular portrait method of photography from the 1839 announcement of its invention to about 1860, the Daguerreotype was a unique photograph with no negative—each photograph was exposed on a copper plate coated with silver-nitrate. This half-length Daguerreotype portrait of Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre, inventor of this photographic process (1839), was taken by American photographer Charles R. Meade when he visited Daguerre at his home in Bry-sur-Marne, France, in 1848...

Photographing History: Fred J. Maroon and the Nixon Years, 1970-1974

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Students will learn about Nixon's presidency as well as the importance of photojournalism through the use of behind-the-scenes photographs and oral history interviews with photographer Fred Maroon. A timeline of events covering the years 1968-1974 is also included. The images included in this online resource offer a powerful record of an unsettling time in American History. Maroon was granted unusual access to the Nixon White House to document the 1970 reelection campaign as well as the major events of the Watergate controversy.

Photos of Nature

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:21:21 GMT

Explore the outdoors with a digital camera! Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes step-by-step directions, suggestions for familiarizing your child with the camera, and tips for what to look for during your trip. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Pike from John Brown's Raid

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:18:50 GMT

As a boy of five, John Brown witnessed a slave his own age being beaten with a fire shovel. He vowed to become a foe of slavery. By the mid-1800s, Brown was fulfilling his vow. On October 16, 1859, Brown led his group to Harpers Ferry where he took over the arsenal and waited for the slaves to revolt. The revolt never came. Two days later Robert E. Lee and his troops overran the raiders and captured John Brown. Brown was found guilty of murder, treason, and inciting slave insurrection and on December 2, 1859, he was hanged.

Pillow Sham

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:33:14 GMT

Lace-making and sewing were more than utilitarian projects. They allowed young girls to express themselves artistically while learning discipline and attention to detail. This embroidered linen and lace pillow sham belonged to Miguel Roses at the turn of the 20th century. Bird and flower designs surround the monogram in the center.

From the Teodoro Vidal Collection

Pismo Beach, California, 1 Dollar, 1933 (clamshell)

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:51:29 GMT

When the Depression and resulting banking crisis hit their community, the residents of the coastal town of Pismo Beach, California picked an unusual but logical medium of exchange. Perhaps with tongue in cheek, the merchants and officials of Pismo Beach decided to make the best of a bad situation, and to make the humble clam shell into an object of trade.

Pitcher Honoring Frederick Douglass

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:37:30 GMT

This hand-modeled and molded, unglazed red earthenware pitcher honors Frederick Douglass, "Slave Orator/ United States Marshall, Recorder of Deeds D.C./ Diplomat."

Plant a Seed

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:47:23 GMT

Plant a seed and track its growth in this activity related to First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson and her work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. This activity guide includes tips for investigating native species, instructions on how to start a container garden, and a worksheet for tracking your plant's growth, along with background information on Lady Bird's environmental activism. This activity is a part of the OurStory module called First Lady for the Environment.

Play Ball!

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:26:58 GMT

This activity will encourage children to look for math in their everyday activities, and introduce science concepts behind the game of baseball. In this activity, students will use discussion prompts to make the most of their visit. This activity is part of an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Playing Cards

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:27:08 GMT

These hand-painted playing cards or naipes are from the 19th century. Most playing cards used in Puerto Rico and the rest of Latin America were imported from Spain and were used for both gaming and fortune-telling. They differ in both number and suits from the standard card decks used in North America.

Plena Drum

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:30:50 GMT

This large, hand-held drum, known in Puerto Rico as a pandereta, is an essential instrument in the musical genre known as plena. The plena was developed by agricultural workers at the end of the 19th century on the southern coast of the island, around the city of Ponce. Considered a national musical genre throughout the 20th century, the plena may have originally reflected musical traditions brought to Puerto Rico by immigrants from other Caribbean islands. This example is from the city of Mayagüez.

Podcast: Brad Brewer Animates the Inanimate

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:13:57 GMT

In this podcast, Brad Brewer of The Brewery Troupe, an African-American puppet company, brings an inventor's history to life with puppets.

Poetry and Our National Anthem

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:55:51 GMT

Was Francis Scott Key a good poet? In this classroom activity, students will analyze "The Star-Spangled Banner" for Key's use of poetic devices. They will then express the meaning of "The Star-Spangled Banner" national anthem in their own words and write their own poetry in relation to the flag or other historical event. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Polishing Pennies

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:23:24 GMT

Try this experiment to find out why some liquids polish pennies better than others. This activity from Spark!Lab includes step-by-step directions, a worksheet for documenting the experiment, discussion questions, and ideas for extending your learning. Spark!Lab activities encourage young learners to explore the invention process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing.

Portrait Medal of James Smithson

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:48:25 GMT

James Smithson was born in 1765, the illegitimate son of Sir Hugh Smithson, later known as Sir Hugh Percy, Baronet, 1st Duke of Northumberland, K.G., and Elizabeth Hungerford Keate. Elizabeth Keate had been married to James Macie, and so Smithson first bore the name of James Lewis Macie.

His mother later married Mark Dickinson, by whom she had another son. When she died in 1800, he and his half-brother inherited a sizable estate. He changed his name at this time from Macie to Smithson...

Portrait of Andreas Vesalius

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:34 GMT

Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), an early European physician and professor of medicine, wrote an important treatise on the human body, published in 1543. He provided detailed illustrations that demonstrated muscle structure and other features of human anatomy, based on his work dissecting cadavers. Vesalius's work revolutionized the teaching of anatomy and remained influential for generations.

In Vesalius's time, dissection was discouraged by religious and cultural forces that misunderstood its potential contributions to science. Edouard Hamman's 1849 painting, reproduced as a lithograph by Adolphe Mouilleron in the early 1850s, suggests Vesalius's conscientious struggle with religion as he pursed his anatomical studies through dissection. He stands beside a cadaver laid out on the table, and his dissecting tools are at hand. He is pictured as if paused in thought, looking at a crucifix on the wall to his right. A skull and several large books suggest his research materials.

Lithography offered artists a medium for literally drawing on stone that was used for high-quality reproductive prints in 19th-century France. Mouilleron, an accomplished lithographer, was not only a superb draftsman, but it was said that in his hand the lithographic crayon took on the characteristics of color as used by painters. His larger prints, like this portrait of Vesalius, have rich tonal variations that convey the color values of the original painting in shades of black and white. Many American artists like Philadelphian Stephen J. Ferris (1835–1915), whose family donated this print to the Smithsonian, avidly collected and studied French prints of all periods.

Portrait of Dorothy Catherine Draper

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:35:52 GMT

Believed to be the first photographic portrait made in the United States, this portrait of Dorothy Catherine Draper was originally taken by her brother Dr. John W. Draper (1811-1882) in his Washington Square studio at the New York University in 1839 or 1840, within the first year of Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre's announcement in Paris of his invention of the daguerreotype process. Identified as a copy daguerreotype, this reproduction was made by Draper's son Daniel when the original was displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. The original daguerreotype was damaged during an attempt at restoration early in the 1930s.

Portraits of a City: The Scurlock Photographic Studio’s Legacy to Washington, DC

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:18:19 GMT

For most of the twentieth century, two generations of Scurlocks documented Washington, D.C.'s African American community and city life. Portraits of a City is a web resource from the Archives Center, National Museum of American History, that preserves and provides access to the photographic archives of the Scurlock Studio. The thousands of images in the Scurlock archives are an invaluable resource for understanding the history of Washington and of the nation.

Portraits of the Presidents Activities

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:43:16 GMT

This Teacher Resource Guide from the National Portrait Gallery will introduce students to the Presidents and the role of the presidency in American history through the portraits. The activities, games, and puzzles are designed to enhance students’ knowledge of American Presidents. Some activities are designed to be completed either as a whole class activity, a small group activity, or an individual project.

Each activity includes objectives, procedures, related standards in historical thinking, the level of difficulty (elementary, middle, and upper), worksheets, and other supplemental materials. A list of suggested sources for expanded research is also included, as well as reproductions of presidential portraits from Washington to Clinton.

POTUS.com

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:09:01 GMT

POTUS.com consists of detailed biographies of every president from George Washington to George W. Bush. Each president has a comprehensive individual section devoted to them specifically. In each section teachers and students can find a great deal of information about the [residents, including dates, cabinet members, general information, video and audio media resources. In addition, the site offers links to other helpful internet resources for each individual president. The site is a great starting point for students wishing to begin researching a specific president.

Powder Horn

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:55:46 GMT

This powder horn is inscribed "Robart Holmes, Ft. Edward 1758," and was used during the French and Indian War.

POWs

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:58:46 GMT

In this lesson plan, students analyze news sources from the Vietnam War era to describe how POWs and their families were represented in the media, then write letters from the perspective of the relative of a POW that describes the concerns of POW families. This resource was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Prayer Book

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:55:19 GMT

The Army and Navy Prayer of the Confederate States, printed in Richmond in 1865.

Preparing for the Oath: Courts

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:40:34 GMT

Learn more about the judicial branch of the government through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The four questions included in this segment cover topics such as the purpose of the Supreme Court and the number of justices that serve on it.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Writing the Constitution

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:40:09 GMT

Explore Constitutional history through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The six questions included in this segment cover topics such as the Constitutional Convention, the Bill of Rights, and amendments to the Constitution.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: A Growing Nation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:42:04 GMT

Explore the history of the peopling of America through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as American Indians, British colonists, slavery, westward expansion, and immigration.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Congress

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:40:56 GMT

Discover Congress through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eleven questions included in this segment cover topics such as the bicameral nature of Congress, the number of representatives in each house of Congress, and the process of getting elected to either house of Congress.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Establishing Independence

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:43:04 GMT

Learn more about America’s transition from colony to country through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as the Declaration of Independence, the War of Independence, and George Washington.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Famous Citizens

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:44:49 GMT

This segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship teaches about famous citizens of the United States through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions. The eight questions in this segment cover individuals including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Preparing for the Oath: Geography

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:42:35 GMT

This segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship teaches about the geography of the United States through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions. The eight questions in this segment cover topics such as, the longest rivers in the country, the oceans that border the country, and the states that border Canada and Mexico.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Government Basics

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:39:30 GMT

Use short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions to explore the basic elements of the United States government in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The ten questions included in this segment cover topics such as federalism, the Constitution, and checks and balances.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Presidency

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:01:51 GMT

Use short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions to explore the executive branch in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The ten questions included in this segment cover topics such as the powers of the presidency, the role of the Vice President, and positions within the President’s Cabinet.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Responsibilities

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:45:54 GMT

Explore the civic responsibilities of Americans through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The four questions included in this segment cover taxes, selective service, jury duty, and the Naturalization Oath.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Rights

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:45:23 GMT

Learn more about the rights of Americans through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The nine questions included in this segment cover topics such as freedoms in the Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and rights to participate in government.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Symbols & Holidays

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:46:56 GMT

Discover America’s key symbols and holidays through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The seven questions included in this segment cover topics such as national holidays, the American flag, the national anthem, and the Statue of Liberty.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: The 1800s

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:43:32 GMT

Explore the history of America in the 1800s through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as the Civil War, slavery, the Louisiana Purchase, and Susan B. Anthony.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: The 1900s

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:44:03 GMT

Use short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions to explore American history from the 1900s in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The nine questions included in this segment cover topics such as World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, and September 11, 2001.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preparing for the Oath: Voting

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:46:21 GMT

Learn more about the American voting system using short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The seven questions included in this segment cover constitutional amendments about voting, political parties, and when Americans elect their president.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

Preservation and the Power of Light

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:05:46 GMT

In this activity, children will learn about the power of light by comparing what happens to paper that has been left in the sunlight with paper that has been left in the dark. They will use a chart to write a prediction ("hypothesis") and compare it to the results of the experiment. They will then think about how light has affected the Star-Spangled Banner and how the flag can be preserved. This activity is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:22:56 GMT

30 years after the assassination of President Kennedy, Congress enacted the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, signed by President George H.W. Bush. The Act mandated that all assassination-related material be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The resulting collection consists of more than 5 million pages of assassination-related records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts. Through this National Archives website, much of the collection is now available online. This website contains an unmatched amount of primary source information for students and teachers interested in learning more about the Kennedy assassination. Also included are the reports of the Warren Commission and the House Select Committee on Assassinations.

Presidential Libraries

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:55:07 GMT

This website from the National Archives features information about all of the Presidential Libraries. All American Presidents from Herbert Hoover through William Jefferson Clinton currently have Presidential Libraries in their names. This website has links to each one of them, and is a fantastic resource for students working on projects or reports about any American President since 1928. The website also includes links to reference information, an interactive timeline of presidential history and podcasts of famous audio clips from the libraries’ archives.

Presidential Manuscripts: Library of Congress

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:21:46 GMT

The Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest and most comprehensive presidential library. Although the website is older, it provides valuable images of original primary source documents related to 23 presidents, each paired with contextual information. This is a fantastic teaching resource for teachers who want their students to learn about the presidents and events in American History through the use of primary source documents.

Presidential Recordings Program

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:24:24 GMT

Between 1940 and 1973, Presidents Roosevelt through Nixon secretly recorded 5,000 hours of their meetings and telephone conversations. Through the use of these recordings, annotated transcripts and researched exhibits, the University of Virginia’s Miller Center Presidential Recordings Program makes these remarkable historical sources accessible to scholars, teachers, students, and the public. This website is a fascinating collection of audio recordings that can be used in or out of the classroom. The exhibits, which are combinations of recordings and researched background information, are a particularly interesting resource. This resource is best suited for older students, as some of the recordings include adult language and are unedited.

Produce For Victory: Posters on the American Home Front (1941-45)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:03:38 GMT

Students will learn how posters connected the home front with the military front through the use of art intended to advertise the nation's war aims and represent the American ideals of the time. This online resource discusses the images created for and the messages conveyed by famous World War II propaganda posters, as well as the debate over their design. World War II posters helped to mobilize a nation. Inexpensive, accessible, and ever-present, the poster was an ideal agent for making war aims the personal mission of every citizen.

Program in Latino History and Culture at the National Museum of American History

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 09:30:38 GMT

This website is the American History Museum’s official homepage for their program in Latino History and Culture. The National Museum of American History established the Program in Latino History and Culture (PLHC) to present public programs that reflect the rich and distinctive history of Latino communities and cultures in the United States. These programs include lectures, films, family and children's programs, concerts, and other activities. Helpful links and information are offered through this site.

Project Archaeology

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:28:36 GMT

Project Archaeology, a program of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, uses archaeological inquiry to foster understanding of past and present cultures; improve social studies and science education; and enhance citizenship education to help preserve our archaeological legacy. This site offers access to the program's teaching guide to the archaeological method and resources on examining shelter, with an emphasis on indigenous and colonial American structures.

Project HOPE: Forty Years of American Medicine Abroad

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:20:02 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will learn how Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere), an American medical philanthropic organization, has impacted global health care. Currently, Project HOPE's education programs in southern Africa, Latin America, Central Europe and disadvantaged areas of the United States ensure that hundreds of thousands of people have access to basic medical services.

Protest Signs

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:11:09 GMT

Protest signs are a powerful and important way for people to express their feelings. In this activity children will compare two protest signs from the civil rights movement and then create their own expressive chalk art or poster. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Public Papers of the Presidents: Hoover through Clinton

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:26:12 GMT

The Public Papers of the Presidents, which is compiled and published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, began in 1957. This website provides access to public records from the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Pueblo Pots Homepage

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:59:27 GMT

In this resource, students will investigate the roles that pottery and water played in the lives of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. Students will learn about Native American culture by reading the book entitled When Clay Sings and discover the symbolism of two modern pots in a hands-on activity. This OurStory module includes links to the activities and a list of other recommended readings about Native American culture. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Pullman Porter's Blanket

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:26:50 GMT

Part of a Pullman porter's job was to make up the sleeping berths in his assigned sleeping car, and to provide extra blankets to passengers requesting them. The standard Pullman blanket in the 20th century was dyed a salmon color, which became almost a trademark of the company. When a blanket became worn or damaged in service, it was assigned to those blankets reserved for porters' use.

This wool blanket in use between the 1930s and the 1950s, was used by African American railroad porters. According to Pullman service rules, a porter's blanket was never to be given to a passenger. Ostensibly to avoid mixing these with the passengers' blankets, the porters' blankets were dyed blue. This was to comply with statutes in the South that dealt with the segregation of blacks and whites. The Pullman service rules were applied nationwide throughout the Pullman system, not just in the South. Dyeing the blanket blue made it easy to tell which blankets were used by passengers and which blankets were used by the African American porters and attendants. A dyed-blue Pullman blanket is today extremely rare, given its negative racial symbolism.

Rappahannock Forge Musket

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:58:59 GMT

Congress was finding it difficult to arm its soldiers after Lexington and Concord. By 1778, there were six Continental arsenals located in the colonies. Virginia founded a state gun factory in 1775 but most states resorted to employing private gunmakers who gathered mixed and scavenged parts to fashion muskets. Virginia's Rappahanock Forge was one of the private gunmakers supplying the colonies. It is estimated that during the War of Independence about 80,000 muskets were American mixed-pattern muskets.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Reading Ballet for Martha

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:54:55 GMT

Use this guide to actively read Ballet for Martha an award-winning work of children's literature about the collaboration of three artists to create an American masterpiece. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Baseball Saved Us

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:13:22 GMT

Use this guide to actively read Baseball Saved Us, a picture book about the lives of children in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Part of an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Reading Dakota Dugout

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:53:31 GMT

In this activity, students will read Dakota Dugout by Ann Turner and answer questions about the book. They will then look at the image of an object that would have been important to women living in a house made of sod and try to determine what the object is. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Life in a Sod House.

OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading Duke Ellington

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:55:19 GMT

Use this guide to actively read Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, a picture book biography of the Washington, DC native and jazz pioneer. Part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Reading Feivel’s Flying Horses

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:55:56 GMT

Use this guide to actively read Feivel’s Flying Horses a picture book about an immigrant who comes to America in the late 1800’s. Part of an OurStory module entitled Coming to America, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Follow the Drinking Gourd

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:48:20 GMT

In this activity, students will increase their knowledge of slavery, slave life and the Underground Railroad by answering questions about the book and song Follow the Drinking Gourd and then writing and illustrating a poem or letter playing the role of a conductor, agent or passenger on the Underground Railroad. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Slave Life and the Underground Railroad. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading Freedom on the Menu

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:12:16 GMT

Freedom on the Menu is a work of children's literature that tells the story of the Greensboro sit-ins from the perspective of a young girl. This activity includes four reading helpers that will help adults and children actively read Freedom on the Menu together. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading Is Fundamental

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:40:01 GMT

Reading Is Fundamental Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Their highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. The website features separate sections for teachers, kids, and parents, with great lesson plans, reading lists, and online activities.

Reading Jingle the Brass

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:52:16 GMT

Jingle the Brass is a book about a young boy who learns words used by railroad workers of the steam-engine era while on an exciting train trip. Part of an OurStory module entitled All Aboard the Train!, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively read Jingle the Brass together. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Railroads have moved people and cargo around America for more than 180 years. By using this OurStory module from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, children and adults can enjoy exploring the history of trains in America. Focused on actively reading Jingle the Brass, a historical fiction picture book about a ride on a steam locomotive, this module also includes links to a hands-on activity, field trip, and object-based learning experience.

Reading Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:01:30 GMT

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a work of children's literature about a young heroine who runs her family's lighthouse during a fierce storm. Included in an OurStory module entitled Life on the Water, this activity includes four strategies that will help adults and children actively read Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie together. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Mama Went to Jail for the Vote

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:00:01 GMT

Mama Went to Jail for the Vote is a work of historical fiction about a girl whose mother joins the suffragists in working to win the vote for women during the early 1900s. Part of an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively read Mama Went to Jail for the Vote together. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Maria’s Comet

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:47:39 GMT

Maria's Comet is a work of children's literature about a young girl who longs to study the stars. Included in an OurStory module entitled Exploring the Sky, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively read Maria's Comet together. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Martin’s Big Words

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:18:46 GMT

Martin's Big Words is an illustrated biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Included in an OurStory module entitled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively read Martin's Big Words together. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:46:50 GMT

Explore environmentalism, the role of the first lady, and biography by reading Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers together! Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers is a work of children's literature that tells the story of First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson and her work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. The activity guide includes discussion questions and strategies for exploring the role that setting plays in the story of Lady Bird Johnson. This activity is a part of the OurStory module called First Lady for the Environment.

Reading Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:08:02 GMT

This useful reading guide will help engage young readers as they read Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, a children's book based on a true story about a girl who writes a letter to Abraham Lincoln. It includes 4 active reading helpers that will help children identify new vocabulary, make predictions and think about the characters and their emotions. Part of an OurStory module entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln, this resource is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:10:41 GMT

Actively read Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World using the suggested reading strategies. Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes a list of challenge words, active reading suggestions, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading September 12: We Knew Everything Would Be Alright

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:54:16 GMT

Use this guide to actively read September 12: We Knew Everything Would Be Alright, a very basic picture book about children’s reactions to September 11, 2001. Part of an OurStory module from entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes discussion prompts and background information suitable for very young children. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

This activity is targeted toward the youngest learners. To address this topic in more depth or with more mature learners, consider the featured book The Little Chapel that Stood, a related resource link.

Reading Seven Miles to Freedom

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:51:40 GMT

Seven Miles to Freedom is a book about Robert Smalls, a man who was born a slave in South Carolina, but made a daring escape to freedom on the ship CSS Planter and joined the Union in fighting to end slavery in America. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes strategies that will help adults and children actively read Full Steam to Freedom together. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading the Flag Maker

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:05:13 GMT

In this activity, children will actively read The Flag Maker, using these suggested reading questions. They will be better able to read for understanding and answer questions using written and image resources. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading The Little Chapel That Stood

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:54:02 GMT

Use this guide to actively read The Little Chapel that Stood, a picture book about September 11, 2001. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Reading When Clay Sings

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:52:55 GMT

In this activity, students will learn how to answer questions by examining objects as well as learn about a book about Native American culture named When Clay Sings. This worksheet can help guide students while visiting a museum, library, website, or any location where objects are used to interpret the past. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Pueblo Pots. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Real People, Real Stories

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:56:26 GMT

Use the Densho Project website to learn about realpeople who lived in internment camps, and then create baseball cards to tell their stories. Part of an OurStory module entitled Life in a WWII Japanese American Internment Camp, this activity includes instructions, discussion prompts, links, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Rear Admiral David G. Farragut's Service Coat and Cap

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:26:41 GMT

Service jacket and cap worn by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut while directing the fire of the flagship Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. It was during the Battle of Mobile Bay that Farragut uttered the infamous words, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead.”

Record a Naturalization Oral History

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:07:09 GMT

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people become American citizens through naturalization. Use these guidelines to contribute a naturalization story to the Museum’s YouTube channel. This resource includes teacher suggestions for indentifying interviewees and uploading the video(s), as well as questions for students to ask the interviewees. By recording an oral history, students will improve their communication skills and gain deeper understanding of the motivations for and process of naturalization.

This resource complements the site Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship, a learning portal for individuals studying for the naturalization exam.

Reel History

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:06:15 GMT

In this activity, children will watch a short silent film recorded in 1930 and get a sense of a Harlem club during the Jazz Age. Part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz, this activity includes a link to a newsreel video from the Smithsonian Archives Center, discussion prompts, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities.

Regimental Uniform Coat of Colonel Peter Gansevoort, Jr.

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:44:48 GMT

Continental army uniform coat worn by Colonel Peter Gansevoort Jr. of the 3rd Regiment of the New York Continental Line. He wore this coat during his command of Fort Stanwix, New York, in 1777.

Reluctant Patriot – Francis Scott Key

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:43:10 GMT

Francis Scott Key is recognized as one of the nation's great patriots despite the fact that he initially opposed America's entry into the War of 1812. This article from Smithsonian Magazine discusses several interesting aspects of the war, including: Key's anti-war sentiments, how the events at Fort McHenry changed his opinion, how the war helped to define American identity both internationally and domestically, and how Key's narrative poem became the national anthem.

Remember Pearl Harbor Pin

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:35:23 GMT

After the December 7, 1941, bombing of the military base at Pearl Harbor, Americans rallied around the war effort with the patriotic cry, "Remember Pearl Harbor." Thousands of buttons or lapel pins were distributed to remind Americans of the tragic event and to solidify the war efforts.

Measurements: overall: 1 3/4 in x 2 in x 1/4 in; 4.445 cm x 5.08 cm x .635 cm

Object ID: AF*82244M

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Remembering Jim Crow

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:51:10 GMT

In the documentary entitled Remembering Jim Crow, Americans—black and white—remember and reflect on life in the time of Jim Crow. The accompanying website breaks down the documentary into sections, and features audio clips that accompany each documentary section. Students and teachers can read personal histories of segregation, and can also access a sampling of repressive Jim Crow laws by individual southern state. An excellent link to various resources is included for students wishing to research the topic further. Remembering Jim Crow was produced by American Radioworks and American Public Media.

Remembering King

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:02:59 GMT

Think of three symbols to represent Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and create a window decoration with those symbols. Included in an OurStory module entitled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Resolution to Raise Troops

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:45:22 GMT

Resolution to raise troops, Massachusetts, April 23, 1778.

Resonance Demonstration

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:33 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses on instruments that showcase acoustics resonance, including tuning forks on resonator boxes, matching resonators, Helmholtz resonators, and a resonator on a brass cup. This is the fifth video in a series of five.

Resources for National History Day Research

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:35:20 GMT

This resource sheet is designed to help students conducting projects for National History Day locate primary documents, advice from curators on research and exhibition development, and on locating secondary sources.

Responding and Remembering Through Art

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:22:49 GMT

Take a look at art that was created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and then make a collage of those images as your own art. Part of an OurStory module entitled September 11, 2001, this activity includes links to artworks in the Museum’s collections, discussion prompts, step-by-step directions, a tutorial on the digital collage application, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Retablo of El Santo Niño de Atoche

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:38:01 GMT

The image shown here represents El Santo Niño de Atoche, a depiction of the Christ child common throughout Mexico and the American Southwest. Made by Rafael Aragón in Santa Fe, this particular image is from a retablo, a kind of Catholic devotional art. Aragón came from a family of santeros (religious artisans) who worked during the golden age of Spanish colonial art in New Mexico in the first part of the 1800s. In isolated communities where there were few priests, religious art within the home played a huge role in promoting Catholic beliefs and maintaining religious faith. When this retablo was made, between 1840 and 1850, New Mexico was the most populated region of Mexico's northern territories. Its ancient colonial history was shaped by violent contests over land, trade, and religion between Spanish settlers and various indigenous communities. The exchanges between these peoples, and then later, between immigrants from Mexico and the eastern United States, created several unique cultures in New Mexico. The phenomenon of tourism, beginning in the late 1800s, further transformed New Mexico and its art and craft traditions. Santeros and other artisans are still producing religious images like this retablo, though today many are valued for decorative rather than devotional use.

Revolutionary War Grenade

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:45:58 GMT

Grenades of this type played an important part in the biggest naval battle of the Revolutionary War. The Bon Homme Richard under the command of Captain John Paul Jones entered into a battle with the British ship the Serapis. The Serapis was a much faster and heavier ship. As the battle continued, the two ships ended up side by side.

Richard Petty's 200th Victory Car

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:35:41 GMT

The Richard Petty Number 43 Pontiac is a NASCAR racing car, built to resemble a 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix passenger car. It ran in the Winston Cup division, the highest level of NASCAR competition, and it won the Firecracker 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway on July 4th, 1984. It was Petty's 200th and final NASCAR Winston Cup victory. Among the spectators that day was President Ronald Reagan. The car was last driven in competition at the Talladega (Ala.) Speedway on July 29, 1984...

Role Model Medal

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:48:11 GMT

Encourage children to recognize a woman role model in their lives by creating a special symbolic pin. Part of an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity includes a hand out that encourages discussion of the women's suffrage movement and instructions for choosing effective symbols and creating a pin for a modern day female role model . OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Roosevelt Inaugural Medal, 1905

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:32:54 GMT

When Theodore Roosevelt was elected President in 1904 and needed an inaugural medal, he gave the commission to scupltor Augustus Saint-Gaudens after rejecting the standard, unmemorable medal typically produced for this occasion by the United States Mint.

Running the Blockade

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:03:57 GMT

Calling all ships! Play an outdoor game loosely based on Civil War signaling and navy strategy. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes game instructions for groups of 3 or more players, discussion questions, and historical background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Saddle

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:54:04 GMT

The Spaniards who invaded Mexico brought to North America a well-developed equestrian tradition. Over the centuries, horses, saddles, and other riding paraphernalia were altered by the landscape and the lifestyles of both Spanish and indigenous riders. Accompanied by mariachi music, la charrería is the elaborate and spectacle-driven tradition of horsemanship in Mexico. As a national sport rooted in the everyday demands of ranching, the crafts and techniques of charrería were adopted and modified by American settlers in the 19th century. They in turn developed their own rodeo tradition. This elaborate saddle with embossed silver medallions was given to General Philip Sheridan by a Mexican friend in 1866. In that year, General Sheridan armed Mexican nationalists led by Benito Juárez, and headed a 50,000-man army along the U.S.-Mexico border in order to pressure France to end its occupation of Mexico.

Sailor's Trousers

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:40:54 GMT

To fight Mexico, the United States had to mobilize, equip, and transport a large force, including both army and navy components.

President James Polk planned a complex campaign. He sent one army under Stephen Kearny to capture New Mexico and then march on to California. Commodore John D. Sloat assaulted California from the sea...

Sam Houston's Hunting Knife

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:53:53 GMT

Sam Houston emerged as a prominent player in the affairs of Texas. Houston was elected commander in chief of the armies of Texas and took control of the Texas forces after the fall of the Alamo. On April 21, 1836, his force defeated Santa Anna and secured Texas independence. Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas. After statehood in 1845, Houston was elected senator from Texas to the Congress of the United States.

Samuel Slater's Spinning Wheel

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:34:33 GMT

This 48-spindle spinning machine, the oldest piece of cotton machinery in America, was built by Samuel Slater, and first operated by him on December 20, 1790, at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. One hundred years later, 1890, it was lent to the city of Pawtucket for exhibition at the Cotton Centenary, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of cotton spinning by power machinery on the Western Hemisphere, and yarn was spun on it by an old man who had tended the spinning frame in the 'Old Slater Mill' when he was a boy. In 1876, it was exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and in 1885, was lent by the National Museum for exhibition at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans. Presented by the Rhode Island Society For The Encouragement of Domestic Industry.

Santos of Puerto Rico

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:14:54 GMT

Teodoro Vidal became a collector in Puerto Rico after traveling all over Puerto Rico collecting artwork, furniture, toys, and much more. He collected many of the santo that can be seen in this activity guide. Mr. Vidal collected objects because he wanted to share the history and culture of Puerto Rico with other people, and recently gave some of his collection to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. His collection was used to create an exhibition entitled A Collector's Vision of Puerto Rico. Near the end of the activity book students can learn how to collect and preserve their own collection.

Satellite Lunch Box

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:00:21 GMT

The Soviet launch of the Sputnik satellite in late 1957 sparked interest in the United States in science education even among elementary school children. In 1958, King Seeley Thermos produced this imaginative box evoking space travel and landings on distant moons and planets. Children provided a receptive audience to this imaginary yet hopeful view of scientific achievement in the early years of the space race. This is one of the few pop culture lunch boxes from the late 1950s not designed around a television show.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: New York Library

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:38:48 GMT

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a national research library devoted to collecting, preserving and providing access to resources documenting the history and experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. Their website features online access to digitized images, texts, manuscripts, and archival finding aids. This site is a great for students researching any topics having to do with African-American history.

See the Stars

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:17:53 GMT

Find out about the sky through a field trip! In this activity, children will determine the best way to observe the night sky (through a visit to a planetarium, using a telescope, or a trip outside in the evening) and discuss what they see. The activity guide includes printable tip sheets tailored to each type of experience. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Exploring the Sky, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Segregated Classrooms Artifact Exploration

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:52:45 GMT

Students can guide themselves to a deeper understanding of segregation with this 2-page activity sheet. The sheet includes description and analysis questions to use alongside the digitized version of two photographs of segregated schools, suggestions for other related online resources, and possible extension activities. The student activity sheet is written for middle or high school students who are fluent in English.

Selena's Leather Outfit

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:49:54 GMT

From doo-wop and country blues, to polka and hip-hop, Tejano music is made by borderland musicians forced to understand the value of cultural exchange. Performing a fusion of cumbia, pop, and contemporary Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (1971-1995) was a young star whose rise and hard-won fame in the United States and Latin American markets was cut short at age 23, when she was murdered by a business manager fired for stealing...

Send a Lincoln Letter

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:07:30 GMT

Writing and receiving letters is fun! In 1860, Grace Bedell wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln and took it to her local post office to mail it. A week later, a very special letter was waiting for her when she returned. In this resource, children will write a letter and then take it to the post office using helpful advice. Included in an OurStory module, entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln, this activity will encourage children to write letters to friends and family as well as learn more about their local post office. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education Homepage

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:50:51 GMT

Separate Is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education, an online exhibition, will help students understand an historic struggle to fulfill the American dream that set in motion sweeping changes in American society, and redefined the nation's ideals. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education marked a turning point in the history of race relations in the United States. On May 17, 1954, the Court stripped away constitutional sanctions for segregation by race, and made equal opportunity in education the law of the land. Brown v. Board of Education reached the Supreme Court through the fearless efforts of lawyers, community activists, parents, and students.

Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education Web Resources

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:51:42 GMT

This list of web resources compiled by the National Museum of American History contains links to websites that are related to the Brown v. Board of Education decision. It is included in the online exhibition entitled Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education.

September 11, 2001

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:37:49 GMT

September 11, 2001 was a shocking day in American history. By using this OurStory module from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, children and adults can start discussing the events of that day through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around The Little Chapel that Stood a work of children's literature about a Ground Zero chapel that became a hub of rescue and recovery efforts, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.

September 11: Bearing Witness to History

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:37:06 GMT

This online exhibition commemorates the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It includes highlights of the exhibition that was on display at the Museum from September 11, 2002 until July 6, 2003, including selected objects, photographs, personal stories and video. Students can also search over 100 objects related to the event from the Museum's collections, listen to oral histories of curators as they tell stories about collecting the objects, and have the opportunity to link to the September 11 Digital Archive in order to read unedited first-person accounts of the events of September 11 and then share their own memories. Some of the material included in the archive may not be suitable for young children.

September 11: Teaching Contemporary History Online Conference

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:39:17 GMT

In August 2011, the National Museum of American History, National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Pentagon Memorial Fund, and Flight 93 National Memorial, offered an online conference, September 11: Teaching Contemporary History, for K-12 teachers. This website includes the conferense sessions, which highlighted resources available at each organization, provided background information on September 11, and encouraged conversations on how to document, preserve, and interpreted recent history and current events. The site also includes frequently asked questions about September 11 and the memorial sites, K-12 resources from the Museum and the memorial sites, timelines of the events at each site, and access to an online community group for further discussion about September 11.

Setting the Precedent: Four Women Who Excelled in Business

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:34:57 GMT

This website will introduce students to four American women who succeeded in business during the twentieth century. Students can read about their lives and accomplishments, and learn about their careers through short biographies, timelines and interactive games. Each woman (Freda Diamond, Estelle Ellis, Dorothy Shaver, and Brownie Wise) was exceptional in many respects, and each achieved a degree of visibility in her field enjoyed by few other women.

Sewing Machine Patent Model

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:28:46 GMT

This is a patent model of a sewing machine invented by John Bachelder of Boston, Mass., who was issued Patent No. 6439 on May 8, 1849. In his patent specification he claims "As my invention or improvement in the sewing machine is the combination, with the endless cloth-holder, of the curved bar or piece of metal v, for discharging the cloth from its points after being sewed, all as described."

Sharps Carbine

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:28:12 GMT

This Sharps carbine, .52 caliber, was confiscated following John Brown’s raid at Harpers Ferry.

Sharps Rifle

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:27:50 GMT

The 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, "Duryee's Zouaves," was one of the most renowned fighting regiments of the American Civil War. Their colorful Zouave uniforms were based on those of the elite Zouave battalion of the French Army.

Sheet Music-"The Battle of the Sewing Machines"

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:24:48 GMT

The Battle of the Sewing Machines" was composed and arranged by F. Hyde for the piano, and was published in 1874 by Wm. A. Pond & Co. of 547 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y. The lithograph by R. Teller of 120 Wooster St., N.Y., N.Y., illustrates a "battle" of sewing machines. The Remington "army" is marching towards the fleeing Singer, Howe, Succor, Weed, and Willcox & Gibbs sewing machines. The soldiers are riding the Remington treadle machines like horses and are carrying Remington rifles. The Remington No. 2 sewing machine had just come out to market in June 1874. The family treadle machine with a drop-leaf table and two drawers would have cost $75.00.

Sheet Music: Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:20:21 GMT

On a Sunday morning in December 1941, a chaplain had his most difficult assignment — to say a prayer to sailors aboard a U.S. navy ship actively under low–flying attack by the enemy firing from all directions. He quickly realized the best he could do was walk the ammunition line saying, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Stories of the overheard phrase quickly turned into legend and passed between soldiers, eventually reaching the press and one Broadway composer and lyricist, Frank Loesser.

Shofar

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:01:28 GMT

The shofar, one of the earliest known musical instruments, is usually made from a ram's horn. Used in biblical times to signal important events, it is also blown on High Holy Days (10 days in the fall of the year). It is sounded many times during the services of Rosh ha-Shanah (the Jewish New Year) and once to conclude Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).

The blasts of the instrument are meant to wake slumbering souls to review their actions of the past year, to make amends, and to renew their devotion to work for the social and communal good in the coming year. This shofar is of a form typical of central European instruments, with a straightened shaft and flattened mouthpiece. It belonged to Curator Cyrus Adler's grandfather, Leopold Sulzberger, who was born in Germany. Sulzberger arrived in the United States in 1838, and died in 1881.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Short Handled Hoe

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:33:45 GMT

The short-handled hoe brings back memories of back-breaking labor for generations of Mexican and Mexican American migrant workers who sustained California's booming agricultural economy.

Siege of Vicksburg Lithograph

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:23:27 GMT

On May 22, 1863, Ulysses Grant sent brigades from three corps of the army to assault Vicksburg. While the assault showed some success, a long bitter struggle ensued and the Confederates quickly restored their original lines of defense. Realizing that the city could not be taken by assault, Grant ordered his engineers to begin siege operations. The siege cut off all supplies going into the city and the constant hammering of siege artillery drove many of the citizens into caves dug into the hillsides.

Silk Satin Dress

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:15:04 GMT

Virginia Lee Mead wore this salmon-pink silk satin dress when she was a young woman living in New York City's Chinatown, where her father, Lee B. Lok, a first-generation immigrant, ran a general store. The full-length dress is a traditional style that younger second-generation Chinese women wore to formal celebrations during the 1930s. "When I was a child, I really didn't know I was American," recalls Lee. "I had no idea. I mean, we lived in a Chinese community and everybody was Chinese, so we [were] Chinese."

Silver Teapot made for Abigail Robinson of Newport, RI

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 09:25:46 GMT

This silver teapot was made by Samuel Casey of Little Rest (later Kingston, R.I.), about 1750, for Abigail Robinson, probably about the time of her marriage to John Wanton of Newport, R.I., in 1752. Shaped like an inverted pear, the teapot has silver feet and a wooden finial. The wooden handle is a later replacement. The teapot came to the National Museum from descendents of the Wanton-Robinson family. In the Museum collection, such household items document the history of daily life, families, and patterns of consumption.

Teapots were among the fashionable items that fit many colonists' taste for stylish possessions in 18th-century British North America. Among the prosperous classes, growing numbers adopted the genteel practice of drinking afternoon tea in imitation of the English gentry. Some Americans imported ceramic tea services, while others patronized local silversmiths. Silver was intrinsically expensive, and it allowed engraved decoration and personalized initials, as on this teapot.

Although Abigail Robinson would change her name at marriage, her teapot expressed her identity with her family of origin. Born in 1732, she was a daughter of Deputy Governor William and Abigail (Gardiner) Robinson, and her family owned large estates in the Narragansett area. Robinson's initials are below the family coat-of-arms, a heraldic decoration that identified the American family as descended from Thomas Robinson, an official of "his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas" in London, England. Such coats of arms were an element of English society's commitment to social hierarchy, the division of the population into the few and elite on the one hand, the many and the common on the other. Silver and other items ornamented with coats of arms testify that immigrants to the New World brought with them some of the social distinctions of the Old World.

Sing, Play, and Cook Railroad-Style

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:02:32 GMT

Playing, singing, and cooking can bring learning about trains to life! Part of an OurStory module entitled All Aboard the Train!, this activity includes tips for incorporating special terms used by railroad workers into playing with trains, cooking a train café car menu, or singing train-related classics like "I've Been Workin' On the Railroad" or "Chattanooga Choo Choo." OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Sketch From Nature

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:21:30 GMT

Look closely at something from nature and make a sketch of what you see. Part of an OurStory module entitled Discover and Protect Nature, this activity includes step-by-step directions and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

Skinner Teaching Machine

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:07:55 GMT

From the 1920s, psychologists have explored ways to automate teaching. In the 1950s, the psychologist B. F. Skinner of Harvard University suggested that techniques he had developed for training rats and pigeons might be adopted for teaching humans.

Slates, Sliderules and Software: Teaching Math in America

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:27:54 GMT

The focus of this online exhibition is the history of mathematics education in America. Beginning with the advent of public education in the early nineteenth century and ending in the modern Information Age, students will learn how advances in technology and changes in education theory have affected how math has been taught in American schools.

Slave Life and the Underground Railroad Homepage

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:32:44 GMT

Students will learn about slavery, slave life and the Underground Railroad in this OurStory module. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Slave Shackles

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 22:15:36 GMT

In the 15th century, decades before they sailed into the Caribbean, Spanish merchants, captains, and adventurers had already conquered and enslaved the people of the Canary Islands in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. On the western coast of continental Africa, the Portuguese had been cultivating a slavery-based economic policy. This legacy of conquest and slavery shaped the colonization of Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean. Some of the first American encounters between Europeans, Indians, and Africans took place in Puerto Rico, and its early history of genocidal violence and physical exploitation was repeated throughout the Americas.

Slideshow Storyteller

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:44:02 GMT

Explore the Web to dive deeper into the story of Robert Smalls, escaped slave and fighter for the Union cause during the Civil War. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes recommended web resources, tips for using picnic or Microsoft PowerPoint to create an image slideshow of your findings, and historical background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Smith and Wesson Schofield Revolver

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:16:32 GMT

This Smith & Wesson was found loaded at the Little Big Horn Battlefield in 1883.

The Smith & Wesson Schofield revolver, .45 caliber, was manufactured from 1875 to 1878. The vast majority of the 9,000 guns went to the U.S. Army. Many saw service in the Indian Wars, though they were reported in use as late as the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection. The First Model Schofield has a latch configuration that is rather pointed at the top and has a circle around the screwhead at the bottom. Serial-number range will give you an indication of whether it is First or Second Model; the numbers change from the First Model to the Second Model at a little over 3,000.

Smithsonian Collections Search

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:30:47 GMT

Search over 7.4 million records with 568,100 images, video and sound files, electronic journals and other resources from the Smithsonian's museums, archives & libraries.

Smithsonian Education Online Conference: Climate Change

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:55:35 GMT

Students and teachers can deepen their understanding of the challenge of climate change through this archived online conference. An excellent professional development resource, the homepage for the online conference provides the conference schedule and speakers, as well as general information about virtual conferences. Also included are links to learning activities, the conference blog, and a brief essay entitled Why the Ginkgo? that explains the importance of the Ginkgo tree to science, art history and research at the Smithsonian.

Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Program

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:15:50 GMT

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program provides vision, leadership and support for all Asian Pacific American (APA) activities at the Smithsonian while at the same time, serving as liaison to APA communities.

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:49:32 GMT

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the story of America through the individuals who have shaped U.S. culture. Their official online website features links to current, past, upcoming and online exhibitions, a collections search and educational resources including an The Great History Mystery, an interactive activity that focuses on great Americans as well anecdotal information that can be learned by examining their portraits. This important website will allow students and teachers to learn American history in a unique and interesting way.

Smithsonian Online Education Conference: Problem Solving with Smithsonian Experts

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:30:47 GMT

Researchers from across the Smithsonian met online with teachers and students around the world for the Smithsonian Online Education Conference: Problem Solving with Smithsonian Experts in April 2010. Each presenter demonstrated how s/he addresses big questions in his/her field of expertise.

SmithsonianJazz.org

Wed, 01 May 2013 08:52:59 GMT

Explore jazz through listening activities, interviews with musicians, and background information on SmithsonianJazz.org. Prominently featured on this site are two suites of learning activities: one focusing on Duke Ellington for elementary students and one focusing on Louis Armstrong for middle and high school students. Students can also hone their skills at analyzing oral histories with a collection of over fifty recordings of jazz composers, arrangers, and performers.

Snapshots in Time

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:16:01 GMT

How does maritime activity impact your community and daily life? In this photo sharing activity, students investigate this central question by locating, exploring, and photographing evidence of maritime activities affecting them and/or their community. They will then write a detailed description about the effect of these activities and share both photographs and descriptions online. This activity is one of the learning resources connected with the online exhibition entitled On the Water: Stories from Maritime America.

Soldier's Pocket Bible

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:20:55 GMT

Religion has an essential role in military history, which is reflected in military material. Steel-covered New Testaments were popular keepsake gifts for soldiers going off to fight in World War II. Advertised in newspapers and magazines as protection from bullets, the small books were designed to be carried in the pocket over one's heart as both symbol and shield.

Sound Recording, "When the Saints Go Marching In"

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:20:08 GMT

Born in New Orleans in 1901, jazz musician Louis Armstrong (d. 1971)was known for his distinctive trumpet-playing and vocal style. He often improvised jazz riffs using his voice rather than his instrument, “scatting” notes and melodies rather than singing actual words. Armstrong transformed traditional church songs like “When the Saints Go Marching In” into jazz melodies fit for brass bands. Nicknamed Satchmo, short for “satchel-mouth,” he helped popularize the solo performance in jazz music. His musical style influenced singers Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Southeastern Museums Conference

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:47:18 GMT

Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) members include museum staff, corporate partners and other individuals, who benefit from the networking opportunities provided through this website, Members represent museum interests throughout the Southeastern United States.

Souvenir of the Opening of the East River Bridge, May 24, 1883

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:16:39 GMT

By the late 19th century, the United States had established itself as a world leader in the area of civil engineering. Perhaps no project better symbolized America's technical prowess than the awe-inspiring Brooklyn Bridge, which connected the nation's largest and third largest cities—New York and Brooklyn, respectively—in 1883 across the turbulent tidal strait known as the East River. The main 1,600-foot (490-meter) span of this towering suspension bridge exceeded the world's longest span by fifty percent.

The bridge's opening prompted a huge celebration. This white metal medallion was struck to commemorate that occasion. Its obverse proudly proclaims the motto, "Two Cities As One," while the legend on its reverse reads: "Souvenir of the Opening of the East River Bridge, May 24th 1883."

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Spanish Flag

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:29:54 GMT

Physical Description
Large yellow stripe with anchor and coat of arms. Red stripes on either side of yellow.

Specific History
Spanish admiral’s flag captured by United States gunboat Petrel from the cruiser Isla de Luzon during the Battle of Manila Bay.

General History
The Battle of Manila Bay was one of two major American naval victories in the Spanish-American War. On May 1, 1898, only days after war had been declared between Spain and the United States, the Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy under Commodore George Dewey engaged the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, Philippines. It was a complete and final victory, ending any threat from the Spanish naval forces involved. All major Spanish ships were destroyed or captured, without any significant damage to American forces.

Spark!Lab Homepage

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:41:09 GMT

This webiste, from the Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab, uses fun activities to help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention. Students can play games, conduct science experiments, explore inventors’ notebooks, and even invent! Spark!Lab, the newest hands on space for families and others visiting the National Museum of American History, shows the real story behind an inventor’s work.

Spark!Lab Inventor Profiles

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:42:52 GMT

Read about three inventors (Charles Brannock, Joseph Friedman, and Charlotte Cramer Sachs) and their devices on this webpage from Spark!Lab. Invention is a process, from creative ideas all the way to successful marketing, and the Lemelson Center's Spark!Lab uses fun activities to help kids and families learn about the history and process of invention.

Spark!Lab Podcast Listening Guide

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:13:31 GMT

Prototype Online: Inventive Voices is a podcast series from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center that reveals the stories behind the invention—motivations, successes, and disappointments—and highlights the persevering spirit shared by all who call themselves “inventor.” These podcasts can help students gain a broader understanding of invention and inventors, and can lead to a greater understanding of invention’s important role in American history and culture. This listening guide can provide a starting point for using and discussing any podcast in the Prototype Online series. For more information about the podcast, series, please visit invention.smithsonian.org/video.

Spencer Carbine

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:12:12 GMT

The Spencer carbine was one of the most popular firearms of the Civil War. Issued late in 1863, it had a demoralizing effect on Confederate soldiers. Smaller and lighter than other guns, it could fire a magazine of seven copper rimfire cartridges in 30 seconds.

Spinning Wheel

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:44:43 GMT

Spinning wheels are believed to have originated in India between 500 and 1000 A.D. By the 13th century, they were seen in Europe, and were a standard piece of equipment for those making fiber into yarn. By the 17th century they were commonly found in homes in the colonies of North America.

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 10:48:15 GMT

This online exhibition highlights artifacts from the Smithsonian's sports collection, and will introduce students to the pioneering men and women who dominated their sports; championed their country, race, or sex; and helped others to achieve. Both on and off the playing field, these undaunted individuals broke records for themselves and broke barriers for us all. Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers portrays athletes from more than a dozen sports.

Spotsylvania Stump

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:10:48 GMT

Until May 12, 1864, this shattered stump was a large oak tree in a rolling meadow just outside Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. The same fury of rifle bullets that cut down 2,000 combatants tore away all but twenty-two inches of the tree's trunk. Several of the conical minie balls (bullets) are still deeply embedded in the wood. Unusual objects of war such as this tree stump, come to symbolize the horror and heroism of battle.

Spreading the News

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:04:29 GMT

This activity is a guided Internet hunt, or "Web quest," in which children play the role of newspaper reporters in order to research, write, and publish an article about the history of the Star-Spangled Banner. Children will be better able to synthesize ideas and facts in written and artistic products and ask and seek answers to historical questions. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Spur

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:30:50 GMT

This spur, worn over a riding boot, was made in Mexico in the mid-1800s. Rubbed against the animal's side, spurs are one of the instruments that riders use to direct horses. The spikes on this spur are set on a small wheel called a rowel, making this a rowel spur. Horses and good riding equipment, such as spurs, saddles, stirrups, and leather coverings, played a fundamental role in the European conquest, exploration, and settlement of wide areas of North America. Much of the technique and craftsmanship of riding culture that was found in the American West among both Native Americans and later U.S. settlers was introduced by the Spanish in Mexico within the first century of colonization (1500s). During this period, huge herds of cattle and sheep (both newly introduced species, like horses) flooded the dry grasslands of northern Mexico and were tended by men who would later be called vaqueros—cowboys. The ranching culture that they developed, as well as the ecological destruction that grazing produced, stretched from Texas to California. This economy of raising livestock on the open range was embraced by settlers coming overland from the American East along routes like the Santa Fe, Old Spanish, and Gila trails. To this day, ranching remains a vital economic and cultural force in both the American West and northern Mexico.

Spy Letters of the American Revolution

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:46:39 GMT

This website, produced by students from the University of Michigan, focuses on the communications of American and English spies during the Revolutionary War. The site includes a gallery of eleven different spy letters, stories about spies during the Revolution, a timeline showing important dates relating to spying during the war, and a collection of ideas for using the site in the classroom.

Stand Up For Your Rights - U.S. History for Kids

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:27:21 GMT

This PBSkids website, part of the WayBack series from the American Experience, focuses on an interactive approach to teach about civil rights. Students can complete a mock interview, evaluate and comment on an image related to school desegregation, take an online quiz, and play a matching game. The website also features brief essays regarding the school desegregation, women and the vote, and religious freedom.

Statue of Liberty Print Artifact Exploration

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:20:37 GMT

Students can guide themselves to a deeper understanding of the Statue of Liberty with this 2-page activity sheet. The sheet includes description and analysis questions to use alongside the digitized version of a piece of art featuring the Statue of Liberty, suggestions for other related online resources, and possible extension activities. The student activity sheet is written for middle or high school students who are fluent in English.

Steam Locomotive, John Bull

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:44:56 GMT

The steam locomotive "John Bull" was built in 1831 and ran for 35 years, pulling trains of passengers and cargo between the two largest cities of the time, Philadelphia and New York. The locomotive propelled trains at 25 to 30 miles per hour...

Stern Structural Arithmetic Kit A

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:27:40 GMT

This apparatus was designed by Catherine Stern, a physicist by training and the founder of a Montessori school in her native Germany. Stern and her husband were of Jewish descent, and emigrated to New York City in 1938 to avoid persecution by the Nazis. There she developed these materials, described in her 1949 bookChildren Discover Arithmetic. The equipment was first used in preschools and then in primary schools.

The kit includes diverse wooden cubes, rods, and cases, as well as paper cards and covers. The painted cubes are 11/16” (1.8 cm.) on a side, and the rods are of integer multiples of this length. The rods are painted green (1), violet (2), white (3), brown (4), yellow (5), red (6), light blue (7), orange (8), black (9) and dark blue (10). There is also a unit cube in each of these colors.
A counting board, designed to introduce the names of numbers, has grooves of length 1 through 10 that hold rods of appropriate length. At the top of each groove is an indentation that holds a wooden number marker, that is to say a block marked with a digit. A flat wooden board known as a number guide, marked with the numbers from 1 through 10, fits across the back of the counting board.

The kit also includes 10 so-called pattern boards, boards indented with holes that hold a single cube. The holes are arranged in two columns. There is a pattern board for each number from 1 through 10. These are designed to teach the distinction between even and odd numbers, as well as addition and subtraction of 0, 1, and 2. A set of 10 yellow cardboard cards known as pattern board slides shows the arrangement of cubes for each number.

Also included are a set of 10 number cases, square boxes that hold from 1x1 through 10x10 cubes. Two further 10x10 number cases(known as “unit boxes”) contain a set of 100 cubes and a set of 19 rods (one rod of length 10 and two of each of the shorter lengths). There is also a “number track” that holds up to 10 cubes.

A series of folding paper “subtraction shields,” representing integer lengths, can be placed over cubes to indicate subtraction. One set of 9 of these is made up, another of 8 is uncut and in a wrapper. Finally, there is a set of 10 yellow cards, each marked with a digit from 1 to 10, as well as a card marked with a subtraction sign and another with an equals sign. These “number slides” fit in a folding “number stand.” Also present is a manual of instructions dated 1966.

Stories of Freedom & Justice: Learning Resources

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:07:52 GMT

With the right resources, learners of any age can engage with the topics of nonviolence and civil rights. This webpage is a gateway to lesson plans, videos, family activities, and instructional media related to the nonviolent civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The content within these resources will help students build familiarity with the civil rights movement and encourage them to think critically about civil rights in the past and today.

Featured resources include videos and a teacher guide of the Museum's award-winning Join the Student Sit-Ins program, literacy-based family activities on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the student sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina, and an archived webcast of an oral history of the three surviving members of the Greensboro Four.

Strong Vincent's Sword

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:08:14 GMT

At the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union saw the value of securing a rocky outcropping called Little Round Top. Strong Vincent seized the opportunity, taking the boulder and yelling to his men, “Don’t give an inch.” As he uttered the words a bullet tore through his thigh and lodged in his body. The line held, but Vincent was mortally wounded.

Stubby

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:23:57 GMT

While training for combat on the fields of Yale University in 1917, Private J. Robert Conroy found a brindle puppy with a short tail. He named him Stubby, and soon the dog became the mascot of the 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. He learned the bugle calls, the drills, and even a modified dog salute as he put his right paw on his right eyebrow when a salute was executed by his fellow soldiers. Stubby had a positive effect on morale, and was allowed to remain in the camp, even though animals were forbidden.

When the division shipped out for France aboard the SS Minnesota, Private Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard. Hidden in the coal bin until the ship was far at sea, Stubby was brought out on deck where the sailors were soon won over by the canine soldier. Stubby was soon discovered by Private Conroy's commanding officer who allowed Stubby to remain after the dog gave him a salute.

When the Yankee Division headed for the front lines in France, Stubby was given special orders allowing him to accompany the men to the front lines as their official mascot. The 102nd Infantry reached the front lines on February 5, 1918. Stubby soon became accustomed to the loud rifles and heavy artillery fire. His first battle injury occurred from gas exposure; he was taken to a nearby field hospital and nursed back to health. The injury left him sensitive to the tiniest trace of gas. When the division was attacked in an early morning gas launch, most of the troops were asleep. Stubby recognized the gas and ran through the trench barking and biting at the soldiers, rousing them to sound the gas alarm, saving many from injury. Stubby also had a talent for locating wounded men between the trenches of the opposing armies; he would listen for the sound of English and then go to the location, barking until paramedics arrived or leading the lost soldiers back to the safety of the trenches. He even caught a German soldier mapping out the layout of the Allied trenches. The soldier called to Stubby, who put his ears back and began to bark. As the German ran, Stubby bit him on the legs, causing the soldier to trip and fall. He continued to attack the man until the U.S. soldiers arrived. For capturing an enemy spy, Stubby was put in for a promotion to the rank of sergeant by the commander of the 102nd Infantry. He became the first dog to be given rank in the United States Armed Forces. Later, Stubby was injured during a grenade attack, receiving a large amount of shrapnel in his chest and leg. He was rushed to a field hospital and later transferred to a Red Cross recovery hospital for additional surgery. When Stubby became well enough to move around at the hospital, he visited wounded soldiers, boosting their morale.

By the end of the war, Stubby had served in seventeen battles. He led the American troops in a pass-and-review parade and later visited with President Woodrow Wilson. He visited the White House twice and met Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Stubby was awarded many medals for his heroism, including a medal from the Humane Society. It was presented by General John Pershing, the commanding general of the United States Armies. He was awarded a membership in the American Legion and the YMCA. When his master, J. Robert Conroy, began studying law at Georgetown University, Stubby became the mascot of the Georgetown Hoyas. He died in 1926.

Students Sit for Civil Rights Homepage

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:09:00 GMT

Students Sit for Civil Rights is an OurStory module that includes activities based on reading Freedom on the Menu, a work of children's literature about the Greensboro sit-ins that played an important role during the civil rights movement. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Students’ Response to 9/11: A Documentary Report

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:05:20 GMT

Have students document the national response to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 using polls, comment cards from teenagers, and their own recollections. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Summer WAC Jacket

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:03:10 GMT

Khaki-colored tropical worsted material with a rolled collar with lapels, epaulets on the shoulders, two false horizontal breast pockets with small gold-colored metallic buttons, and two side pockets over the hips. The jacket is closed by four gold-colored metallic buttons. Staff sergeant chevrons are on the upper arm of both sleeves above the elbow, the Eighth Army Air Force patch is on the left shoulder, and four overseas bars indicate two years' service overseas. All buttons have the Great Seal of the United States on the front. The collar disk on the right lapel contains the letters "U.S." denoting United States; the collar disk on the left lapel contains the wings and propeller blade of an enlisted member of the Army Air Forces. Both disks are made from gold-colored metal. Ribbons over the left breast pocket represent the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Women's Army Corps Service Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

This jacket was worn by Staff Sergeant Margaret C. Frank, WAC, who was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England as a telephone operator from 1943 to 1945.

During World War II over 150,000 women served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) or Women's Army Corps (WAC). Special legislation was required before the women could serve in the army. The law authorizing the WAAC was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in May 1942 and the first WAACs began training in July 1942. Initially WAACs were only assigned to duties in the continental United States. However, when General Dwight Eisenhower requested trained secretarial, clerical, and administrative personnel, a WAAC detachment was sent to his headquarters in North Africa in early 1943. A WAAC battalion was sent to England in spring 1943 to provide similar expertise to army and air forces units gathering for the invasion of Europe.

The status of the WAAC as an auxiliary, serving with but not in the army, was confusing and made many routine activities difficult. In mid-1943, Congress authorized the Women's Army Corps as a full-fledged army organization. All WAACs were either converted to WAC status or discharged. Women served in many jobs in addition to the secretarial, clerical, and administrative fields. They were assigned as drivers, mechanics, cooks, ordnance specialists, and radio operators; they worked in communications, logistics, public affairs, medical, intelligence, and many other specialties. They served in the United States and in all overseas theaters. Because of their exemplary record, women were made a part of the regular military establishment in 1948.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Survival, Bravery, & Brutality: William Flury, Steward Department

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:54:32 GMT

William Flury was a Merchant Mariner who served on a Liberty Ship carrying supplies for “the Burma Road.” Listen to his oral history, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Maritime Voices: Merchant Mariners and Shipyard Workers Remember WWII,” which includes four perspectives on non-military service during World War II.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Taking America to Lunch

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:11:53 GMT

Taking America to Lunch is an online exhibition that includes a sampling of illustrated lunch boxes and beverage containers dating from the 1890s through the 1980s. Students will learn how television changed the metal lunch pails carried by industrial workers and students a century ago into an important commercial vehicle for popular culture.

Teaching 9/11

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:04:01 GMT

This site from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum provides links to all of the educational materials from the museum, including commemorative materials for students in upper elementary grades through high school, which focus on ways people chose to respond to 9/11 through art; two short films, 9/11 Stories of Survival and Loss and The Spirit of Volunteerism: 9/11 and Beyond;guidelines for discussing 9/11 in the classroom; and a teaching guide with lesson plans on conducting oral history and learning from objects and memorials.

Teatro Campesino Poster

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:35:20 GMT

The Teatro Campesino was founded by Luis Valdez in 1965 to energize the political message of the United Farmer Workers of America using song, music, and drama. Modern, bicultural, and socially aware, the street theater of the Teatro Campesino is a touchstone of Chicano art. At first taking their performances to the fields, Teatro Campesino actors and writers used the language and stories of working men and women to advance the civil rights of Mexican Americans and to celebrate and reengage with their history and popular traditions. Like many Chicano art forms, the Teatro Campesino uses imagery that bends time to combine critiques of contemporary life with visual references to modern, colonial, and pre-Hispanic Mexican symbols. This poster for the Teatro Campesino appropriates the artwork of Mexico's most famous printmaker, José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), who is best known for his humorous depictions of skeletons engaged in the love and conflict of daily life.

Telescopes and Observatories

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:12:34 GMT

Watch a video to take a trip to a special place: The United States Naval Observatory. Find out about one of its telescopes and the work that is done in the observatory. In this activity guide and video, children will look at pictures and watch a short video to find out about telescopes and observatories from the 1800s and today.

Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Exploring the Sky, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Templeton Reid, 5 Dollars, 1830

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:38:12 GMT

Before the famous California gold rush, several important strikes were made in the East: in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The earliest took place in Mecklenburg County, N.C., in 1799, where a nugget weighing several pounds was discovered. Its finder used it as a doorstop until someone recognized it for what it was! Discoveries multiplied, and a federal branch Mint was eventually set up in Charlotte to process the metal into coinage.

Tending Aids to Navigation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:09:44 GMT

Students can learn about the 1921 U.S. Lighthouse Service tender Oak. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

The Gettysburg Address

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:10:36 GMT

This website focuses on the last handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address, a manuscript that usually resides out of the public eye in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White house. Also included to help students further explore this important document are a printable version of the manuscript, transcripts in both English and Spanish and an interactive document that features actor Liam Neeson reading the entire address.

The 1896 Washington Salon & Art Photographic Exhibition

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

This online exhibition tells the story of how the 1896 Washington Salon and Art Photographic Exhibition led to the creation of the Smithsonian's "Section of Photography" and how amateur photography came to be viewed as art. Designed to make the viewer feel as if they are a visitor to the Washington Salon, this exhibition will give students a unique view into the history of photography.

The 39 Clues Decoding History Virtual Field Trip

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:42:11 GMT

Bestselling 39 Clues author David Baldacci takes students on a webcast field trip to meet renowned museum curators, go behind the scenes, and investigate some of the most fascinating mysteries of American history. Baldacci is the author of Day of Doom, the last book in The 39 Clues series, Cahills vs. Vespers.

Artifacts featured in the program include Lewis & Clark's compass, the Star-Spangled Banner, signed pottery made by a slave, and Abraham Lincoln's watch. Under related links on the resource page, see accompanying pre- and post-webcast materials available for download, as well as a program transcript.

The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden Homepage

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:43:08 GMT

This online exhibition examines the history of the American presidency. Through the use of objects from the museum's extensive collection, an interactive timeline and interactive activities, students will study the realities of the presidency, from its origins to the present, as well as the lives of the men who have held the office.

The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden Resources

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:42:45 GMT

A list of the presidents, a time line of presidential candidates, a summary of the military service of presidents as well as a bibliography and web sites related to the presidency are the resources included in the online exhibition entitled The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History, and Diplomacy

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:30:47 GMT

This website is an invaluable resource for teachers and students who are interested in locating, reading and researching important primary source documents in their entirety. The Avalon Project is committed to digitizing important documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government that have influenced American history and political thought. The collection is not limited to American documents, but also includes important documents from ancient and modern world history. It has been divided into chronological sections ranging from Pre-18^th Century documents to 21^st Century documents.

The Bracero Archive: Tracing the Route of a Bracero

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:23:38 GMT

In this activity, one of three on the Bracero Archive website, students will examine an oral history related to the Bracero worker program and present their research on a map.

The Bracero Archive-Learning From Documents

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:25:10 GMT

In this activity, one of three on the Bracero Archive website, students will examine two public laws and other primary resources related to the Bracero worker program and apply their knowledge to evaluate whether the program was carried out as intended.

The Bracero Archive-Learning From Photos

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:24:07 GMT

In this activity, one of three on the Bracero Archive website, students will discuss their thoughts on immigration, learn about the Bracero labor program, and use photographs to develop deeper understandings of the Bracero labor program.

The Brass Letters of Citizenship: Lincoln, African Americans and Military Service

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:59:48 GMT

Delve into the issue of military segregation with this archived panel discussion. In this video recording, experts discuss the African American military experience in the Civil War and the mid-19^th century. Then, take the issue into the modern day by comparing arguments surrounding the racial makeup of the United States military in the Civil War with the modern arguments around the "don't ask, don't tell policy." Compare how the military's integration of individuals with various backgrounds impacts American life.

This lecture is one in a series about issues that Abraham Lincoln faced as president that continue to confront the nation today.

The Caldwell Family and the Battle Against Slavery

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:37:56 GMT

Students can learn about the Caldwell's and the anti-slavery movement by investigating a room from their house, a newspaper article from 1839, and artifacts from the period. Josiah and Lucy Caldwell believed in the moral power of home and family, and their beliefs inspired a radical mission. The Caldwells were local leaders in the international struggle to end slavery. In 1822, they bought the Ipswich, Massachusetts house that is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.

The Choate Family: American Colonists

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 13:49:31 GMT

Students can learn about the Choate family by investigating a room from their house, a deed from 1772, and artifacts that a family like the Choate's would have owned. In the mid-1760s, Abraham Choate had a 10-room house built in Ipswich, Massachusetts, for his wife, Sarah, and their growing family. The Choates were the first family to live in the house that is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.

The Civil War

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:22:31 GMT

From 1861-1865, Americans battled over preserving their Union and ending slavery. The Civil War is the focus of this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. This pivotal and complicated period of American history is divided into sections that allow students to focus either on a specific aspect of the war, or the conflict as a whole. The sections included are: John Brown, Fort Sumter, the Battle of Bull Run, major turning points, the war at sea, Wilderness to Appomattox, political leaders, military leaders, soldiers in blue and gray; battles and casualties and Reconstruction and the legacies of the war. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Civil War.

The Cold War

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:53:27 GMT

Students will learn how a "cold war" between the United States and the Soviet Union began after World War II in this section of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. Americans led Western efforts to contain Communism. The Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, the origins of NATO and the arms race that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis are all discussed. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Cold War.

The Cosmos in Miniature: The Remarkable Star Map of Simeon De Witt

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:58:14 GMT

Tell the story of early American science with an online exhibition and digital reproduction of the oldest surviving Anglo-American star map. This hand-drawn star map, created in 1780, reflects a story of scientific curiosity and the practical applications of astronomy in colonial America. Simeon De Witt, a map-maker who served as surveyor general under George Washington, created the map using astrolabe models and his own knowledge of the sky.

The Curator's Challenge: Life in a Post-September 11 World

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:39:55 GMT

In this lesson, students will learn the story of September 11 and the process for building a collection at the Museum by listening to curators discuss collecting objects to represent the September 11 terrorist attacks, interviewing family or community members who remember the events of that day, and developing recommendations for objects to be included in the national collection and a small exhibit on September 11.

The Declaration of Independence Desk

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 10:45:01 GMT

In 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk of his own design. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens, and inkwell.

By the summer of 1776 members of the Second Continental Congress prepared to declare their independence from Great Britain. They assigned the task of drafting the declaration to Thomas Jefferson, a delegate from Virginia. Jefferson would later write that rather than aiming for originality, "it was intended to be an expression of the American mind." On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress amended and adopted the declaration. Its words not only established the guiding principles for the new nation, it has served to inspire future generations in America and around the world.

The desk continued to be Jefferson's companion throughout his life as a revolutionary patriot, American diplomat, and president of the United States. While the drafts of the Declaration of Independence were among the first documents Jefferson penned on this desk, the note he attached under the writing board in 1825 was among the last: "Politics as well as Religion has its superstitions. These, gaining strength with time, may, one day, give imaginary value to this relic, for its great association with the birth of the Great Charter of our Independence."

On November 14, 1825, Thomas Jefferson wrote to his granddaughter Eleanora Randolph Coolidge to inform her that he was sending his "writing box" as a wedding present. Jefferson's original gift of an inlaid desk had been lost at sea and his portable writing desk was intended as a replacement. The desk remained in the Coolidge family until April 1880, when the family donated it to the U.S. government.
In his letter, Jefferson wrote: "Mr. Coolidge must do me the favor of accepting this [gift]. Its imaginary value will increase with years, and if he lives to my age, or another half-century, he may see it carried in the procession of our nation's birthday, as the relics of the Saints are in those of the Church."

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

The Defense of a Nation Teacher Resource Guide

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:55:37 GMT

This guide introduces teachers to resources on the Battle of Baltimore and the role the state of Maryland played in the War of 1812. Find short background information on the course of the war and its effects on citizens, suggested books for adults and children on 1812 history, and links to educational content from the National Park Service and other organizations.

The Diary of a Civil War Nurse Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:36:03 GMT

This website features the diary of Civil War nurse, Amanda Akin. In April 1863, Akin left her home in Quaker Hill, NY, to serve as a nurse at Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C. During her 15 months at Armory Square, Akin wrote long letters to her sisters and recorded her daily activities in diaries. Nearly 50 years later, Akin drew on these written records to publish an account of her wartime role in a book, The Nurse of Ward E.

The Disability Rights Movement

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:33:38 GMT

This website includes information and objects that will help students gain perspective on civil rights, public involvement and the power of protest in the United States through the lens of the disability rights movement.

The Dodge Family and Chance: Seeking Freedom in the Revolutionary War

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:38:06 GMT

Students can learn about the Dodges, Chance and life at the time of the American Revolution by investigating a room from their house, a will from 1786, and artifacts from the period. By the 1770s, Abraham and Bethiah Dodge and many other Americans were willing to risk everything for independence, and African Americans such as Chance, their slave; asked white patriots to live up to their ideas about liberty. The Dodges and Chance are one group of people that lived in the Ipswich, Massachusetts house which is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.

The Empress Adelina of Haiti

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:22:55 GMT

Image of Empress Adelina of Haiti, 1852, wife of Emperor Faustin. Faustin ruled from 1847-1849 as president, and from 1849-1859 as emperor before being forced to abdicate.

The Feather Trade and the American Conservation Movement

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:34:33 GMT

Through this online resource students will learn how the popularity of birds and their feathers as fashion accessories led to the creation of conservation societies, such as the Audobon society, as well as the passage of laws intended to prevent certain species of birds from extinction due to the tastes of America's upper class. The 19th-century vogue for feathers as fashion adornments threatened many bird species with extinction, and socially prominent Bostonians began a campaign for tough new laws to preserve the nation's wildlife.

The Federal Register at the National Archives

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:33:52 GMT

The National Archives oversees this website run by the Office of the Federal Register. The OFR provides access to many achival resources related to Federal Laws, Presidential Documents, and Administrative Regulations and Notices. This site is an excellent resource for both student and teacher research into the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

The Gear & Lever Voting Machine

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:32:53 GMT

Gear and Lever voting, meant to ensure the confidentiality and efficiency of the election process, is the focus of this section of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy. Students will learn about the connection between the 19th Amendment, the suffrage movement and improved voting technology.

The Gold Nugget and the California Gold Rush

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:02:13 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around the gold nugget that began the California gold rush. In this resource, students will learn how examining the gold nugget can help them understand the story of the gold rush and its importance to the story of westward expansion. After exploring the gold nugget and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear the Museum's curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

This resource is part of The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

The Greensboro Lunch Counter and the Civil Rights Movement

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:25:52 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around the Greensboro, North Carolina lunch counter that was the site of a sit-in strike by four African-American students in 1960. Students will learn how the sit-in strike at the Woolworth's lunch counter sparked the widespread student activism that was at the heart of the Civil Rights movement. After exploring the lunch counter and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear the Museum's curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

The Guardian IMY2KC Baseball Cap

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:36:42 GMT

In the early days of electronic computers, memory was not as efficient or inexpensive as it is today. To save memory space, programs stored as few digits as possible for dates. In COBOL, for instance, January 1, 1999, was stored as 010199. As Year 2000, or Y2K for short, approached, it became apparent that there might be serious problems because many large-scale systems were based on older programs. Simply, the problem with storing only two digits for the year is that a year written as “00” might be read by a computer as the year 1900 instead of the year 2000. If left unfixed, computer hardware, software, and communications worldwide could have malfunctioned. The impact of the “Millennium Bug” might have been catastrophic because the use of computers and networks has become integral to our lives: banking, communications, transportation, medicine, and even cooking is rarely done without some kind of computerized assistance.

To fix this potential problem, governments and businesses began operations in the 1990s to make sure all necessary computer systems had been checked or converted to new systems to minimize loss of services. The Guardian Life Insurance Company is an example of a large business that needed to fix their systems. The company's Y2K Project Team analyzed over 20 million lines of code and over 17 thousand computer programs and verified that all of their systems were in compliance and ready to go by December 31, 1999. To approach their goals, the Y2K Project Team distributed these baseball caps to internal departments as their systems were confirmed Y2K-compliant. This worked to foster healthy internal competition and cooperation at Guardian and helped the team complete its task. The embroidered letters on the front of each cap read “IMY2KC,” which stands for “I am Y2K Complaint.” The embroidered letters on the back of the cap read “RU,” which stands for “Are you?”

The Invention of the Electric Guitar

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:32:15 GMT

In this online resource, students will learn how the need for louder guitars led to the invention and proliferation of the electric guitar and how the emergence and popularity of rock and roll led to the guitar's commercial success and more innovative designs. Students can view the collection of guitars from the exhibition, click on each guitar to learn more and listen to audio commentary by guitarist G.E. Smith. They can also listen to recordings of different types of guitars in a section entitled "How Guitars Work".

The Jefferson Desk and the Declaration of Independence

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:30:08 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around the desk on which Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. Students will learn how the Jefferson desk can help them understand the meaning of the Declaration, both at the time that it was written as well as to future generations. After exploring the desk and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

The Korean Americans: A Century of Experience

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:16:25 GMT

This collection of three lessons and related resource materials was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program in 2003 to celebrate one hundred years of Korean immigration to the United States. The lessons focus on three highly visible elements of the Korean American experience: immigration, Korean American authors, and Korean American adoptees.

The Korean War

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

On June 25, 1950, the Cold War turned hot when armies from North Korea invaded into South Korea hoping to unify the Korean Peninsula under communism. Students will learn about the American involvement in the Korean Conflict in this section of the online exhibition entitled The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. President Harry Truman committed American troops and rallied support in the United Nations, establishing a coalition of sixteen nations to defend South Korea and contain Communist expansion. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Korean War.

The Life and Music of Celia Cruz: A Bibliography

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:26:02 GMT

Bibliographic material relating to the online exhibition: ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz. Included are books related to the music and culture of Cuba, Salsa, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Latin and Caribbean Music. Also included are links to the lesson plans that are a part of the online exhibition.

The Life and Music of Celia Cruz: Her Music

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:26:02 GMT

This resource offers audio samples of Cruz's music and video clips of her life and performances. In addition to salsa, Celia Cruz performed many genres of Afro-Caribbean songs, including the Cuban son, Puerto Rican bomba and plena, the Dominican merengue, the Colombian cumbia, Brazilian music, blues, jazz, rock & roll, and dance music such as the rumba, mambo, and guaracha. Her repertoire showcased the power of her voice, as well as her skill and mastery of rhythmic complexities.

The Lincoln-Keckley Dress: Slavery, Women's History, and Race

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:35:02 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around a dress that connects the lives of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, a popular African-American dressmaker who lived in Washington, D.C at the time of the Civil War. Students will learn how one object can tell many different stories. The Lincoln-Keckley dress can be examined to learn about slavery, women's history and the realities of racial relations in America in the mid-nineteenth century. After exploring the Lincoln-Keckley dress and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete a virtual exhibit activity.

The Lynch Family: Immigration and the Industrial Revolution

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:51:38 GMT

Students can learn about the Lynches and the realities of life for many Americans during the Industrial Revolution by examining a map and description of their apartment, a page from an 1885 account book, and objects from the period. In the 1870s and 1880s, Catherine Tracy Lynch, an Irish immigrant, and her daughter, Mary, rented one side of the Ipswich, Massachusetts house that is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition. Catherine took in laundry and Mary was one of hundreds of workers employed by Ipswich Mills. Renting meant sharing space with boarders, other renters in the house, and probably relatives recently arrived from Ireland.

The Mexican War

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:35:51 GMT

America went to war to gain territory from Mexico and expand the nation's boundary from Texas to California. Students will learn about the Mexican War by first examining its causes, Texas's struggle for independence and the controversial concept of Manifest Destiny in this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. They will then learn about the war's major events and battles, and the results of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which the United States annexed all of the territory that would become the states of the Southwest. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Mexican War.

The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Founded in 1975, the Miller Center is a nonpartisan public policy institution. The Miller Center's mission is to research, reflect and report on issues of national importance to the governance of the United States, with special attention to the central role and history of the presidency. The website has a section for students and teachers who are interested in learning about American presidential history. The center’s multimedia archive contains over 4,000 Hours of Audio and Video, including many important presidential speeches, and also has an impressive online catalog for research.

The Museum Environment and Preservation

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:05:14 GMT

Through discussion and brainstorming, students will learn about the destructive impact of environmental factors on man-made artifacts and structures in this classroom activity. Upon completion of one or more activities, students will gain a concrete understanding of the complexity of the science of preservation. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

The National Highway System

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:14:32 GMT

The National Highway System website is run by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The website offers teachers and students detailed maps of the nation’s highway system, which are broken down by state. The site also contains information about the history of the National Highway System and details the very basis for its existence.

The Object of History

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:54:31 GMT

This resource includes an introductory essay entitled Looking at Artifacts, Thinking about History, 6 sections that each focus on an object from the collections of the Museum, an archive of curator commentary, and an online tool with which students can create virtual exhibits. Also included is a section of teacher's materials, lesson plans and resources revolving around the themes that are highlighted throughout the website.

The Object of History is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

The following objects are included in The Object of History: Thomas Jefferson's desk, the gold nugget that launched the Gold Rush, Mary Todd Lincoln's dress, a voting machine, a short-handled hoe from the Braceros migrant worker program, and a segment of the lunch counter from the sit-ins in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The materials on the site are designed to improve student's knowledge of standard topics in U.S. History and to improve their ability to understand material culture objects as types of historical evidence.

The Official Website of the White House

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:08:49 GMT

The official website of the White House features updated news on the current administration, as well as a history of each past president, administration, and all of the first ladies. A comprehensive history of the White House itself is also presented, with many interactive links for students of all ages. Resources for student research include links to each of the existing Presidential Libraries, Camp David, Air Force One, and Marine One. For any student beginning a research project on the White House or a particular president or first lady, this website is a must see.

The Patriot Papers

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:39:45 GMT

This site, produced by the National Portrait Gallery, was created to accompany the famous portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Each of the resources on the site supports learning about George Washington through transcripts of historical news articles, modern articles about Washington, and interactive puzzles. Articles cover the major events in Washington’s life, slavery in the colonial era, medicine and Washington’s death, and colonial gossip columns.

The Phyllis Diller Gag File

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:36:47 GMT

A great comedienne and trailblazer for women entertainers, Phyllis Diller's story offers a window into the world of entertainment. Explore her story through photographs, costumes, and her massive filing cabinet (or "gag file") of jokes. This exhibition provides a great starting point for discussing how humor and entertainment can both shape and reflect social conditions.

The PQ.17 Tragedy: Alan Harvie, Engineer, and John “Sarge” Ransome, Deck Department

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:22:11 GMT

Alan Harvie and John “Sarge” Ransome served about the SS Honomu sailing the Murmansk Run to the Soviet Union. Listen to their story, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Maritime Voices: Merchant Mariners and Shipyard Workers Remember WWII,” which includes four perspectives on non-military service during World War II.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

The President Has Many Roles

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:44:17 GMT

On June 29, 1950, President Truman performed all seven presidential jobs. In this activity, students will learn about the Presidency by looking at an excerpt of the President's schedule from that day and match the events with the correct role of the president. They will then see if they can match the presidential roles with objects from the exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.

The Presidential Campaign Trail

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:53:48 GMT

Presidential campaigns, inaugurations and the expansion of voting rights are the topics covered in this section of the online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. Campaign items and posters will help students learn about methods and strategies that have been used by candidates to win election. They will also see how inaugurations have become public holidays when Americans celebrate their democratic customs. Finally, they will explore how minorities, women, the poor, and young adults fought to obtain the right to vote.

The Presidential Inaugural: Smithsonian Documentary Photographs

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:12:20 GMT

Documentary photographs of inaugural events and festivities are the focus of this online collection from the Smithsonian Photographic Services. Included are photographs from the inaugurations of Presidents Reagan through Clinton, as well as select images of inaugural celebrations that have been held at the Smithsonian since 1881.

The Presidential Pullman Railcar Ferdinand Magellan

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:37:51 GMT

This website, hosted by Florida’s Gold Coast Railroad Museum, includes an online exhibition about the Ferdinand Magellan, the only Presidential Railcar built in the 20th century. It is now the only passenger railcar that has ever been designated a National Historic Landmark. Students will learn about an interesting, and relatively unknown, aspect of Presidential life before the existence of Air Force One.

The Presidential Timeline of the Twentieth Century

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:13:10 GMT

This resource, designed by Learning Technology Center in the University of Texas at Austin College of Education, features an interactive timeline that tells the stories of the American presidents of the twentieth century, from Herbert Hoover to William Jefferson Clinton. Each presidents biographic information is included along with interpretation of the major issues and events of their presidencies. The site also allows students to view special exhibitions relating to twentieth century events like the Great Depression and the Vietnam War, and a gallery of personal images from the lives of each of these twelve presidents.

The President's Job

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:44:38 GMT

Students will review the roles of the presidency by using objects, images, and documents in this section of the online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. Students will explore the complex duties of the president and how they have helped to determine their actions and policies.

The President's Seal

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:11:25 GMT

Why does the Presidential seal look the way that it does? In this activity, students will be able to explore the symbolism on the Presidential seal, color the seal how they would like and then create a new seal! As part of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History's online exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden, this activity will help students learn about an important national symbol.

The Price of Doing Business: Joseph Hawkins, American Officer on a Slave Ship

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:37:56 GMT

Joseph Hawkins was one of many workers aboard a slave ship in the 1700’s. Listen to a dramatic reading of his narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Life at Sea: 1680 to 1806,” which includes five perspectives on maritime life in the colonial period and early America.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:06:40 GMT

Americans have gone to war to win their independence, expand their national boundaries, define their freedoms, and defend their interests around the globe. This online exhibition examines how wars have shaped the nations' history and transformed American society. Students will learn about American military history through the use of an interactive timeline, brief movies, and objects from the museum's vast collections. Also included are a collection search, an interactive game, and learning resources.

The Scott Family: Life on the WWII Homefront

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:42:25 GMT

Through the use of a description of the apartment, an excerpt from Mary Scott's diary, and artifact from the period, students will learn about life on the home front during World War II. The Scotts rented apartment on the first floor of an Ipswich, Massachusetts house became a home front battlefield during World War II. The Scotts are one of the families that lived in the Ipswich, Massachusetts house which is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.

The September 11 Digital Archive

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:36:10 GMT

The September 11 Digital Archive uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the history of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. The Archive contains more than 150,000 digital items, a tally that includes more than 40,000 emails and other electronic communications, more than 40,000 first-hand stories, and more than 15,000 digital images. Produced by the Center for History and New Media and American Social History Project/Center for Media and Learning, students can use the archive to browse, research and share their memories of the tragic event by uploading images, documents, and other digital files. Some of the material included in the archive may not be suitable for young children.

The Short-Handled Hoe and Bracero History

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:25:57 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around the short-handled hoe, the bracero program, Cesar Chavez and the organizing of Latino farm workers in the American southwest after World War II. Students will learn about the role of Mexican guest workers in American agricultural history. After exploring the short-handled hoe and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

The Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:37:40 GMT

This website includes 10 objects from the Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection supplemented with contextual information. Part of the online exhibition entitled Legacies: Collecting America’s History at the Smithsonian, this resource will give students a unique look at the life of some of American’s First Ladies.

The Soldier’s Experience: Vietnam versus World War I

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:23:57 GMT

Analyze museum artifacts and first-person accounts of World War I and the Vietnam War, then take on the role of soldiers and a news team to present a newscast about the experience of fighting in these two wars. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The Spanish American War

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:33:38 GMT

Students will learn the details of the Spanish-American war including: the causes of the war; the influence of Yellow Journalism; the successes of a modernized American navy; the war in Cuba and the Philippines, the Philippine Insurrection and the new foreign policy of expansionism in this section of the online exhibition entitled The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. America went to war against Spain to free Cuba from Spanish domination. But the war provided the United States an opportunity to seize overseas possessions and begin building an American empire. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Spanish American War.

The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem Homepage

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:31:58 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the story of the Star-Spangled Banner by learning about the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore; Mary Pickersgill and the making of the flag; Francis Scott Key and the song that became the national anthem; the legacy of the flag and its use as a patriotic symbol; and the efforts undertaken to preserve the flag as a national treasure. This resource includes interactive activities and educational resources that can be used to further enhance this exploration of the flag that inspired the national anthem.

The Storming of Chapultepec

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:45:54 GMT

This print shows American forces attacking the fortress palace of Chapultepec on Sept. 13th, 1847. General Winfield Scott, depicted in the lower left on a white horse, led the southern division of the U.S. Army that successfully captured Mexico City during the Mexican American War.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: Bibliography

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:52:34 GMT

This bibliography includes material relating to the Teodoro Vidal Collection of cultural objects from Puerto Rico. Included are books for adults as well as children. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: Glossary

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:53:26 GMT

This reproducible glossary includes terms associated with Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican history and culture as well as the Teodoro Vidal Collection. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: Interactive Map

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:00:09 GMT

In this interactive map, students can explore the island and culture of Puerto Rico through historical objects and images. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: Interactive Timeline

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:01:18 GMT

With this interactive timeline, students can study the history and culture of Puerto Rico. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: Related Links

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:54:17 GMT

Links to Web sites relating to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican history and culture as well as the Teodoro Vidal Collection. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Teodoro Vidal Collection: View the Objects

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:02:20 GMT

In this searchable online collection, students can explore The Teodoro Vidal collection, one of the most important collections of Puerto Rican material culture in the world. The online collection contains over 50 objects and photographs relating to everyday life, religion, celebrations, and art in Puerto Rico from the 17th through the 20th century. This resource is part of the website entitled A Vision of Puerto Rico: The Teodoro Vidal Collection.

The Three Kings

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:41:08 GMT

On the Catholic calendar, the Three Kings are celebrated on the 6th of January. On this date Puerto Rican children traditionally expected their Christmas gifts, not from Santa Claus, but from the Three Kings. In Puerto Rico, the Three Kings, (in Spanish called Reyes Magos) are depicted as riding horses, not camels. According to the Bible, these kings are said to come from the east, although popular tradition identifies one of the kings as Melchor and depicts him as African in origin. The figure of Melchor is one of the first representations of a black person in Puerto Rican art. This set of Three Kings is from the town of Morovis, probably crafted around 1990 by a member of the Rivera family.

The Time Trial of Benedict Arnold

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:20:39 GMT

In this lesson, students will examine the difference between history and memory by debating the legacy of Benedict Arnold. Using video clips of an actor playing Arnold, students are invited to debate his actions and determine how history should remember him.

The Time Trial of John Brown

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:06:28 GMT

In this lesson, students will examine the difference between history and memory by debating the legacy of John Brown. Using video clips of an actor playing Brown, students are invited to debate his actions and determine how history should remember him. The video segments are also available on YouTube.

The Union is Dissolved! Broadside

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:32:27 GMT

The Charleston Mercury’s “The Union Is Dissolved!” broadside was the first Confederate publication, as South Carolina was the first state to secede. It went to press fifteen minutes after the secession ordinance was passed.

The United States Military Academy at West Point

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Students will learn how the military academy that was first proposed by George Washington became the premier school of engineering and military science in the United States, West Point. Also discussed is the influence of the academy's graduates on other institutions and important architectural and engineering projects. The United States Military Academy at West Point is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

The Vietnam War

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

From 1956-1975, Americans fought a protracted and divisive war against Communist expansion in Southeast Asia. Students will focus on the war in Vietnam and its effects on public opinion back home, look an in-depth at the realities faced by American prisoners of war, and the legacies of the war, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Vietnam War.

The Visible Human Project

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:49:37 GMT

The Visible Human Project and its website is an outgrowth of the United States National Library of Medicine’s 1986 Long-Range Plan. It is the creation of complete, anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of the normal male and female human bodies that are available for viewing on the internet. The long-term goal of the Visible Human Project is to produce a system of knowledge structures that will easily link images to symbolic knowledge formats such as the names of body parts.

The Visible Man

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:01:16 GMT

People have long sought better ways to illustrate and understand the structure and functions of the human body. Paper dolls and wax, papier-mache, and plaster anatomical models have all been used as tools to teach human anatomy. In the wake of the launch of the Sputnik satellite, designer Marcel Jovine of Closter, New Jersey, decided that American children needed to learn when they put toys together. He proposed "The Visible Man," a plastic anatomical model with removable parts. The toy was manufactured by Renwal Products Incorporated of Mineola, New York. Introduced in the fall of 1958, it initially sold for $4.98. The model has a clear plastic body or shell and comes with a "complete" skeleton, "all vital organs," and a round plastic display stand. The kit also includes instructions on how to assemble and disassemble the model and a pamphlet, "An Introduction To Anatomy: An Illustrated Guide to the Visible Man." This kit was never assembled.

The Visible Woman

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:34:48 GMT

This is an anatomical model of a woman, complete with removable parts. The kit includes a clear plastic body or shell, a "complete" skeleton, "all vital organs," and a round plastic display stand. The kit was designed as an educational tool to teach basic anatomy. The intructions explain how to assemble and disassemble the model. The "Visible Woman" was inspired by the success of another anatomical model for children, "The Visible Man." The kit includes a pamphlet, "Introduction to Anatomy," and the manufacturer's guarantee. This kit was never assembled.

One of the more interesting features or non-features of this kit is the lack of genitalia. Manufacturers of anatomical models offered male and female models with and without sexual organs. Americans in the 19th century used phrases such as "after nature" and "organs of generation" to gently refer to reproductive organs. This practice continued well into the 20th century, when paper models and later plastic model kits produced for the general public lacked sexual organs.

A note to parents in the lower left corner of the top of the box warned that the contents included the "Optional Feature: The Miracle of Creation." Separated from the other parts of the model in a brown box, the adapter kit for a 7-months pregnant female includes special instructions for assembling the eight additional parts, which include an expanded breast plate for the prgnant uterus, the small intestines, and the fetus.

The Voting Machine and Election Reform

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:05:55 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around an 1898 Standard Voting Machine, the fight against voting fraud and the extension of voting rights in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students will learn how voting technology was used to democratize the voting process in the United States. After exploring the Voting Machine and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete the Virtual Exhibit Activity.

The Water Nearby

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:02:07 GMT

Do you live near the water? There is probably a body of water closer than you think! In this activity, students will use Google Maps to first find their school, and then locate and learn about the closest body of water to their school. Included in an OurStory module entitled Life on the Water, this activity is intended to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

The White House Collection of American Crafts

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:48:20 GMT

The White House’s Collection of American Crafts website is hosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This virtual collection features seventy-two objects, all of which were installed in various locations throughout the White House This virtual collection of objects would be helpful for students and teachers who are interested in art history, material culture and object-based learning.

The White House Historical Association

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:08:09 GMT

This website is a must-visit for students and teachers studying the history of the White House, or the presidency itself. The site contains timelines, historical photographs, historical tours, as well as links for further research. In addition, the site has entire sections devoted to students and the classroom. Information found on this site is likely not easily accessible elsewhere. It truly is a treasure-trove of information for students and teachers alike.

This House

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:39:35 GMT

Students will learn the history of the house that stood at 16 Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts for over 200 years, how it was saved by community members, and how it came to live at the National Museum of American History. Also included is a timeline of all of the inhabitants from 1757 to 1961. This educational resources is part of the online exhibition, Within These Walls.

Thomas Jefferson's Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:31:12 GMT

Students can explore each page of the bible, read translations, and view short videos about the bible’s history and conservation. This volume, created by Thomas Jefferson in 1820, is an 84-page assemblage of passages from the first four books of the New Testament, a project undertaken by Jefferson personally to better understand Jesus' moral teachings.

Thompson Model 1928 Submachine Gun

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:26:16 GMT

During World War I, machine guns were heavy, crew-served weapons. Their operation required several soldiers. Even so-called light machine guns could not easily be handled by single soldiers. To meet the need for an individual rapid-fire weapon, several inventors devised submachine guns. Light enough for one-man use, the new weapons were nicknamed "trench brooms" because they swept the trenches clear of enemy troops. The Thompson submachine gun was the handwork of John Taliaferro Thompson (West Point Class of 1882). It saw only limited wartime use, but the "Tommy gun" in the hands of police and gangsters achieved notoriety as "the gun that made the twenties roar."

Three Mile Island: The Inside Story

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

America's worst accident at a civilian nuclear power plant occurred on March 28, 1979. This online exhibition provides information about the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, the course of the accident there and the steps-extending over almost 15 years-through which the nature and extent of the damage were gradually revealed.

Three Sides of the Smalls Story

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:39:09 GMT

Take a close look at two newspaper articles and a children's book telling the story of an escaped slave-compare the stories they tell to uncover the perspectives they represent. Part of an OurStory module entitled Full Steam to Freedom, this activity includes transcripts of two Civil War-era newspaper articles (one from the North and one from the South)and a recommended children's book, along with a ThinkAbout worksheet with strategies for analyzing. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Tierra o Muerte Poster

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:44:28 GMT

Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the annexation of Texas, the land claims of many Mexican families were not respected, either by the new English-speaking settlers or by the U.S. government. Dispossession from family- and community-owned lands dealt a severe economic blow to the livelihood of generations of Mexican Americans. The issue of land evokes especially bitter memories in New Mexico. In 1967, the year this poster was made with the slogan Tierra o Muerte, meaning Land or Death, a Hispanic land rights organization called La Alianza, led by Reies López Tijerina, raided the Rio Arriba County courthouse in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico.

In addition to reclaiming land from the government of New Mexico, the goals of the raid were to free imprisoned Alianza members and to arrest the district attorney who was prosecuting them as communists and outside agitators. The raid on the courthouse was ultimately unsuccessful and Tijerina served time in a federal prison. Although seen by some as a divisive figure, Reies López Tijerina was as recognizable as Cesar Chavez to many Chicano activists of the late 1960s. Mirroring similar political tensions in the African American community, Chicano civil rights activists were torn between leaders such as Chavez, who advocated nonviolence, and leaders like Tijerina, whose political strategy was decidedly more militant.

Tile from La Fortaleza

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:46:27 GMT

This tile is from La Fortaleza, a military and government complex in San Juan built to defend the city from naval attacks. Construction began in 1533 and was finished in 1540. This tile resembles the Spanish ceramic style of Talavera, a tile factory established in the 16th century near the city of Toledo, Spain. The tiles produced in Spain became widely used and copied throughout the Spanish colonies.

Timelines Tell Stories

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:54:20 GMT

How can the Statue of Liberty be used in a timeline? Take a close look at an object made by an immigrant, then tell your family or cultural stories through a timeline. Part of an OurStory module entitled Coming to America, this activity includes a guided exploration of a museum artifact, step-by-step directions, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities.

To March or Not to March

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:39:56 GMT

In this activity, children pretend to be an American during 1963 and decide whether or not to join the March on Washington. Children base their choice on information gathered through guided observation of a handbill from the march. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Martin's Big Words, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Tower Musket

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:07:12 GMT

Private Rowel Colby saw service at the battle of Bennington, and took this Tower flint-lock musket from a dead British soldier during the battle on August 16, 1777. Colby of Salisbury, New Hampshire was on the muster rolls of Captain Ebenezer Webster's company in Colonel Thomas Stickney's regiment in General Stark's brigade raised out of the regiment of the New Hampshire Militia, July 1777. This unit later joined the northern Continental army at Bennington.

Toy Fire Engine

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:31:17 GMT

Cast-iron toys are essentially American. Small foundries and factories were mass-producing them towards the close of the 19th century. These toys were sold in novelty stores, department stores, or mail order catalogs. One can follow along with shifts in technology by recognizing the changes in the different models of Sears toys...

Tracking the Buffalo: You Be The Historian

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:57:44 GMT

What can we learn by studying a buffalo hide painting? In this activity, students will learn about the culture of the Plains Indians by determining the meaning of stories told on a buffalo hide painting and compare their interpretations to that of a Smithsonian historian. This activity is meant to help students learn more about Native American culture by analyzing and learning from objects; a guiding student worksheet is included. It is included in the website Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting.

Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting Homepage

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:30:23 GMT

In this interactive website, students explore the role buffaloes played in the lives of Native Americans of the northern Plains. The website includes: online interactives, printable activities and a map of the Plain Indians, information about the art of buffalo hide paintings, a teacher's guide and student worksheets, and a bibliography of related books and online resources appropriate for all ages.

Trade Tomahawk

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:04:06 GMT

Trade tomahawks were generally made in Europe and used by settlers to trade with the Indians.

Trains Near You

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:19:17 GMT

Explore a local train-related site with safety and discussion tips for kids and families. Part of an OurStory module entitled All Aboard the Train!, this activity includes strategies for selecting a train-related field trip in your area (such as train stations, train tracks, or train museums) and tips for making the most of those experiences through discussion and cooperative discovery. OurStory is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Trains.com

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:26:27 GMT

Trains.com is a website dedicated to those who love everything about railroading and model trains. It contains the latest railroad news, and allows students to explore the history of railroading and the hobby of model trains. The website is the home of five railroading-related magazines: Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, Garden Railways and Classic Trains.

Transatlantic Souvenirs

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:44:57 GMT

Students can view objects relating to the steamship Leviathan, the largest American passenger ship of the 1920s and 1930s. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation History Videos

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:24:36 GMT

Three short videos provide an overview of American transportation history in three different eras: 1800-1900, 1900-1950, and 1950-2000. These videos are included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation in America Classroom Activity Guide

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:18:23 GMT

This activity guide accompanies the exhibition America on the Move. It delivers a variety of historical primary source materials from the exhibition directly to your classroom. Through these documents and activities, students can build a deeper understanding of how transportation shaped American commerce, communities, landscapes, and population migrations. It is one of the many resources connected to the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation in America Collection Search

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:07:30 GMT

The National Museum of American History's online transportation collection includes more than a thousand artifacts and photographs. Browse the collection by selecting multiple categories, eras, and regions. This collection object search is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation in America Glossary

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:07:51 GMT

This reproducible glossary includes terms used in most of the activities included in the America on the Move Classroom Activity Guide It is one of the many resources connected to the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation in America Reading List

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:08:11 GMT

Students and teachers will find age appropriate books that support the online exhibition, America on the Move, and address the history of transportation in America.

Transportation Infrastructure Videos

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:44:27 GMT

Three short videos provide an overview of the history of America's transportation infrastructure in three eras: 1800-1900, 1900-1950, and 1950-2000. These videos are included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transportation Technology Videos

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:25:06 GMT

Three short videos provide an overview of transportation technology in three eras: 1800-1900, 1900-1950, and 1950-2000. These videos are included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Transposing Upright Piano

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:21:07 GMT

This upright transposing piano was made in 1940 by Weser Brothers, New York, for Irving Berlin (1888–1989). Like many Tin Pan Alley pianists, Berlin was self-taught, preferring to play on the black keys. “The key of C,” he once said, “is for people who study music”. The transposing mechanism shifted the keyboard to allow him to stay on the black keys but produce music in other keys.

Travis Panorama

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:43:58 GMT

In this online exhibition, students can see a dramatic recreation of how the Travis Panorama would have been presented, using the original narration .Near the end of the Civil War, veterans of the Army of the Cumberland commissioned the artist William D. T. Travis to memorialize the career of General William S. Rosecrans and his campaigns in Kentucky and Tennessee. Travis produced a huge panorama on a single roll of canvas over 500 feet long. Today, the original panorama is too fragile for display. The Travis Panorama is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

Treasures of American History: American Identity

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:57:07 GMT

In this section of the online exhibition entitled Treasures of American History, students will explore the diverse roots of American culture as well as common experiences shared across lines of race, ethnicity, and region. They will learn how culturally, Americans have defined themselves in many ways—through artistic expression, ethnic traditions, work and play, and home and community life. A Spanish version of the exhibition is available on the exhibition's homepage.

Treasures of American History: Creativity and Innovation

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:55:17 GMT

In this section of the online exhibition entitled Treasures of American History, students will learn how the creative and innovative genius of Americans has led to the reinvention of daily and business life, the redefinition of popular culture and the creation of artistic masterpieces. A Spanish version of the exhibition is available on the exhibition's homepage.

Treasures of American History: American Biography

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:55:51 GMT

In this section of the online exhibition entitled Treasures of American History, students will learn how biographies of important Americans can reflect the circumstances of their times, provide a personal perspective on the past, and make up a fascinating and multifaceted portrait of American achievement. A Spanish version of the exhibition is available on the exhibition's homepage.

Treasures of American History: National Challenges

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:56:27 GMT

In this section of the online exhibition Treasures of American History, students will learn that by understanding the challenges of the past, they can draw lessons and inspiration for confronting new challenges in the present and future. The topics discussed in this section are: the American Revolution; slavery; westward expansion; the Civil War, women's suffrage, the Great Depression and World War II, the Civil Rights movement and AIDS. A Spanish version of the exhibition is available on the exhibition's homepage.

Treasures of the Library of Congress: The Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:08:09 GMT

This resource includes images of a rare, first print edition of the Star-Spangled Banner sheet music that combines words and music as well as a hand-written copy of the Star-Spangled Banner poem by Francis Scott Key. These primary sources are included in the Library of Congress' online exhibition entitled American Treasures of the Library of Congress.

Tuning Forks Demonstration

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:33 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses the science behind and uses for tuning forks, including demonstrations of tuning forks on resonators, the Grand Tonometer, a medical tuning fork, and a beats apparatus. This is the third video in a series of five.

Two Perspectives on the Battle of Little Bighorn and Greasy Grass

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:03:25 GMT

Engage students in analyzing and appreciating historical perspectives on the Battle of Little Bighorn/Greasy Grass, also known as "Custer's Last Stand." Students will interpret primary sources, develop critical thinking questions about the perspectives represented in the sources, and finally synthesize the data into a single version of the Battle's history. This lesson plan (which includes background information, guided analysis questions, and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

U.S. Civil War Colored Troops Medal

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:41:34 GMT

During the American Civil War, General Benjamin Butler so appreciated the heroic actions of African American soldiers under his command at the 1864 battles of Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer that he commissioned a special medal for them. Designed by Anthony C. Paquet and realized in silver by Tiffany, the U.S. Colored Troops medal had no official status. After General Butler was relieved of his command in 1865, the 300 U.S. Colored Troops who had received the medals were forbidden to wear them on their uniforms.

U.S. Civil War Zouave Uniform Jacket

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:10:27 GMT

The colorful and exotic Algerian apparel that French soldiers saw when they invaded Algeria in 1830 captured their imagination. First adopted by French colonial soldiers in North Africa in the 1830s, the appeal of the dashing Zouave image quickly extended worldwide. It reached the United States by mid-century. Militia units and volunteer drill teams wore Zouave uniforms designed by group organizers and unit members as they performed and competed in public. In the American Civil War, more than 70 volunteer Zouave units fought for the Union, and 25 for fought the Confederacy.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Ulysses Grant's Camp Chair

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:18:33 GMT

This camp chair was used by Ulysses Grant during the Civil War.

Ulysses Grant's Field Glasses

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:19:17 GMT

In September 1861 Ulysses S. Grant was appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers by President Abraham Lincoln. Grant directed Sherman to drive through the South while he himself, with the Army of the Potomac, pinned down Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. On April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered. Grant wrote out magnanimous terms of surrender that would prevent treason trials.

Ulysses Grant's Letter from Fort Donelson

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:18:57 GMT

On February 16, 1862, General Buckner surrendered Fort Donelson. The unconditional surrender created jubilation throughout the North and shock in Dixie. It was the North’s first major victory of the Civil War, opening the way into the very heart of the Confederacy.

Understanding and Using Primary and Secondary Sources in History

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:57:03 GMT

Learning to use primary and secondary sources correctly takes practice. In this classroom activity, students will understand the difference between primary and secondary sources. After class discussion and a written assignment based on primary sources, students will also be able to explain the importance and limitations of using primary sources for historical research. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Understanding Historical Photos

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:28:51 GMT

This resource will help students understand how to analyze historical photos to better understand the intentions of those who took them. Every photograph is both truthful and deceptive. These images were selected to illustrate some of the intricacies in reading historical photographs. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled Whatever Happened to Polio?

Uneasy Partners: Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, LBJ and Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Video

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:23:42 GMT

In this archived panel discussion, experts compare, contrast, and contextualize the relationships between President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and President Johnson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The content of the discussion includes comparison of the figures as orators, comparison of these historic figures to President Obama, and the personal and political constraints of the relationships between these figures.

This lecture is one in a series about issues that Abraham Lincoln faced as president that continue to confront the nation today.

Unexpected Cargo: Spud Campbell, First Radio Officer

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:25:10 GMT

Spud Campbell was a Merchant Mariner who served on a Liberty Ship carrying supplies to help the Soviet Union fight Germany on the Eastern Front. Listen to his oral history, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. This resource is part of a series called “Maritime Voices: Merchant Mariners and Shipyard Workers Remember WWII,” which includes four perspectives on non-military service during World War II.

This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion questions.

Union Belt Plate

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:08:48 GMT

Union belt buckle found on the battlefield at Winchester, Virginia.

United Farmworkers Poster

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:06:01 GMT

Cesar Estrada Chavez, the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is one of the most recognized Latino civil rights leaders in the United States. A Mexican American born in Yuma, Arizona, his family lost their small farm in the Great Depression (1930s). Like many Americans, they joined the migration to California and worked for low wages in its great agricultural fields. The agricultural industry in the West was a modern, market-driven phenomenon. In 1965, the United Farm Workers of America, led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, began its five-year Delano grape strike against area grape growers for equal wages for foreign workers. Filipino and Mexican Americans who labored in California vineyards were suddenly visible in the eyes of American consumers. The movement to boycott table grapes mobilized students and educated consumers across America. The text on this poster, printed around 1970, describes Chavez's vision of political and economic emancipation for farm workers. La Causa, or The Cause, as it was known among Mexican Americans, was the political and artistic touchstone of the Chicano movement.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

United States Cent, 1974 (aluminum)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:48:37 GMT

This one-cent piece from 1974 is perfectly normal-except for one thing. It was struck in aluminum rather than bronze. Lincoln's bust graces the obverse, just as it has done for over ninety-five years.
And the Lincoln Memorial appears on the reverse, just as it has since the closing years of the Eisenhower Administration. The choice of aluminum over bronze is what makes this coin legendary. How did it happen, and why?

United States Colored Troops Flag

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:07:34 GMT

This flag belonged to the 84th Regiment of Infantry, United States Colored Troops. The red stripes bear the regiment's name and number and some of the battles in which the 84th fought.

The unit was organized April 4, 1864 and mustered for service on March 14, 1866. The unit fought primarily in Louisiana with three other regiments of colored troops and a larger force of Union volunteers.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

United States Department of Commerce

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:49:37 GMT

At the Department of Commerce’s Official Website, students have access to information about the twelve different bureaus under the department’s control. Student and teachers can also learn about the history of the Commerce Department in a section of the website that includes milestones of the department, a list of past Secretaries of Commerce, and a photographic history of the Commerce Department’s 100th anniversary.

United States National 34 Star Flag

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:14:08 GMT

The United States National 34-Star flag was adopted with the admission of Kansas as the 34th state in January 1861. It was used until 1863 when West Virginia became a state. At no time did the national flag lose stars.

United States, 10 Dollars, 1907 (pattern)

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:24:22 GMT

This is the final object in the Roosevelt/Saint-Gaudens object group.

In 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt asked sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to lead an effort to redesign American coinage. Saint-Gaudens developed a design that many consider the most beautiful American coin ever conceived. In addition to this $20 coin, Saint-Gaudens also redesigned this $10 coin, or eagle. Although the design has always been considered subordinate to his design for the $20 coin, it deserves close scrutiny...

United States, 2 1/2 Dollars, 1848

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:45:14 GMT

In 1848, the largest single gold rush in history was just getting under way in California. The event triggered a mass migration of fortune hunters from around the world. The territory has only recently passed into American hands as an outcome of U.S. victory in the Mexican War. The new California military governor Col. R.B. Mason sent 230 ounces of native bullion to the Secretary of War, who in turn passed the gold on to the Mint.

Much of this first shipment went into large, honorific medals Congress authorized for the winning American generals in the war, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. Scott's medal is in the Smithsonian Collection. The rest of the gold was used to make "quarter eagles," or 2½ dollar gold pieces. These became some of the most legendary coins in American numismatic history.

The basic design was standard: the head of Liberty was on one side, a somewhat bellicose eagle on the other. The mint had been striking quarter eagles with these designs for nearly a decade. But closer scrutiny showed that these coins had one odd feature: above the eagle on the reverse, the initials "CAL." These were added by means of a punch.

Precisely 1,389 quarter eagles marked with the CAL stamp were made. Less than 200 still exist. They bear poignant witness to the colorful history of the American West.

United States, 2 Dollars, 1776

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:50:43 GMT

By the time they broke with England, the thirteen American colonies had been issuing paper currency for nearly a century. Both they and the loose central government they set up under the Articles of Confederation to oversee matters of common concern would continue to do so throughout the War of Independence. The "national" paper went by the name of "Continental Currency." As its name suggests, it was issued by the Continental Congress.

United States, 20 Dollars, 1854

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:15:58 GMT

The sheer size of the California gold strike altered the nature of American numismatics. It was not only that mintage figures dramatically increased; the actual range of denominations increased as well. Prior to 1849, there had been three gold coins: the quarter eagle, half eagle, and eagle (or $2.50, $5.00, and $10.00 coins). By 1854, three more had been added, a dollar, a three-dollar piece, and a double eagle, or twenty-dollar coin.

Artist James Barton Longacre designed all three of the new coins. The double eagle was the most popular...

United States, 20 Dollars, 1907

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:24:43 GMT

This is the sixth object in the Roosevelt/Saint-Gaudens object group.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt asked sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to lead an effort to redesign American coinage. Saint-Gaudens developed a design for what many consider the most beautiful American coin ever conceived. Unfortunately, the coin required multiple strikes to produce, even when its ultra-high relief design was reduced to a lower relief.

Deciding how to modify the coin so it could be produced in large quantities with a single strike in a high speed press was left to the Mint's Chief Engraver, Charles E. Barber...

United States, 20 Dollars, 1907

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:24:57 GMT

This is the fifth object in the Roosevelt/Saint-Gaudens object group.

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt asked sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens to lead an effort to redesign American coinage. Saint-Gaudens developed a design that many consider the most beautiful American coin ever conceived. Work on the production version of the coin progressed through the winter and spring of 1907. Sadly, the artist himself now suffered from cancer, and would die of the disease at the beginning of August.

It was left to his assistant, Henry Hering, to finish the work his master had begun...

United States, 20 Dollars, 1907 (experimental)

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:24:00 GMT

This is the fourth object in the Roosevelt/Saint-Gaudens object group.

Someone once observed that a giraffe was a horse designed by a committee. The same might be said of this coin: what had seemed a good idea around a table in the boardroom proved to be an interesting but spectacular flop as it neared production.

The coin resulted from a project that President Theodore Roosevelt began in 1905 to redesign American coinage. He commissioned sculptor August Saint-Gaudens to create the new designs, and Saint-Gaudens developed a plan for an ultra-high relief $20 coin. The coin here, which appears to have been struck early in 1907, followed Saint-Gaudens' basic designs, but there the similarities ended...

United States, Jefferson Indian Peace Medal, 1801

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:13:16 GMT

This medal accompanied Lewis and Clark on their epochal journey West. The medal is hollow, consisting of two thin, embossed silver plates, one for each side of the medal. The two were held together by a silver ring, running around the entire circumference of the piece. The medal was created in this fashion because the United States Mint lacked a coining press strong enough to strike heavy, solid medals. This medal accompanied Lewis and Clark on their epochal journey West.

United States, One Dollar, Pattern, 1879

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:48:25 GMT

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Young head of Liberty, facing right; date below. Reverse: Eagle, facing left; denomination below. The piece was designed by George T. Morgan, and, while no more successful than any of his other designs, stands in marked contrast to them. Because of the youthful appearance of the Liberty head, this pattern was dubbed the "Schoolgirl" dollar, perhaps as early as the 1890s...

United We Stand Bibliography

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:18:52 GMT

This bibliography, included in the online exhibition July 1942: United We Stand, includes books on the "United We Stand" magazine cover campaign, World War II and the home front, the American flag and magazine history.

United We Stand Collection Search

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:18:40 GMT

In this searchable collection, students will be able to explore the magazine covers that were created for the July 1942 campaign coordinated by the Magazine Publishers of America and the US Treasury Department to help generate support for the war effort during World War II. It is included in the online exhibition entitled July 1942: United We Stand.

United We Stand Homepage

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:16:23 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will analyze authentic magazine covers from July 1942, along with a timeline and brief video news clips in order to understand the importance of the home front during the Second World War. The resource includes a searchable collection of magazine covers from the era and is part of an online exhibition, titled: July 1942: United We Stand. The site explores a campaign during World War II by the nation's magazines to promote national unity, rally support for the war, and celebrate Independence Day.

United We Stand: Magazine Cover Analysis

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:16:48 GMT

Students will analyze and interpret magazine covers from July 1942, when some five hundred publications featured the stars and stripes to promote national unity, rally support for the war, and celebrate Independence Day. Students will then create their own magazine covers for the July 1942 "United We Stand" campaign.

US Mint History in Your Pocket Kids Page

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:49:37 GMT

This website, from the United States Mint, is a collection of resources and interactive activities aimed at educating elementary age students about the connections between coins and American history. Cartoons, games and interactive tools will give students a unique view into the history of the United States and help them understand the important role that money has played in the evolution of the nation.

Using Rice Plantation Tools

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:17:20 GMT

In this activity, students will analyze images of tools that were used on rice plantations to determine each tool's purpose. These objects can tell us a great deal about slavery and the lives of the slaves who worked on rice plantations. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Slave Life and the Underground Railroad. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

USS Carondolet

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:09:57 GMT

USS Carondolet was a 512-ton ironclad gunboat in the style of the Cairo. It was built in Saint Louis and commissioned in January 1862. Within a month it had contributed to the capture of both Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.

Valor paño

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:32:44 GMT

Laying the groundwork for the Chicano movement of the 1960s, organizations like the American G.I. Forum began advocating on behalf of Hispanic veterans who were denied the educational, health care, housing, and other rights guaranteed by the G.I. Bill. Often working in concert with the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and other Latino civil rights organizations, the Texas-based G.I. Forum soon engaged in broader social battles over school desegregation and voter registration rights. Today, the G.I. Forum is a nationally recognized source of scholarships among Mexican American students.

This paño, titled Valor, the Spanish word for courage, commemorates the Korean War Medal of Honor winner Rodolfo Hernández. Paños are an art form created traditionally by Chicano prisoners on white handkerchiefs. Often mailed as gifts to friends and families, the images on paños remember loved ones, depict important memories, and tell stories about the dark side of life, as well as redemption. The maker of this paño is unknown.

Van Valen’s Gold Rush Journey

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:08:48 GMT

Investigate the authentic journal of Alex Van Valen, a man who set sail in 1849 to stake his claim in the California gold fields, to discover what life was like during the gold rush. This dynamic project from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History includes student questions to help guide research, rich primary sources, images of artifacts and background information. The student materials can be completed on paper or using the interactive PDF format that allows students to create beautiful publications from their research. The teacher guide includes suggested discussion questions for the introduction and conclusion classes, answers to the student questions, a sheet of Frequently Asked Questions about the gold rush journal, and a summary of what Smithsonian curators learned about the journal's author. Although intended as a project, elements of the site could also be used independently to develop historical research skills.

Vietnam Documentary Footage of the Huey Helicopter

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:14:20 GMT

Huey Helicopter: Air Armada - selections from documentary on the use of the Huey during the Vietnam War.

Vietnamese American Curriculum

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:21:25 GMT

This site includes four classroom lessons and a detailed printable timeline of Vietnamese American history. Each lesson includes rich background material, along with specific discussion questions, worksheets, or classroom activities. The materials, created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, will help students develop understanding of and empathy for the challenges faced by Vietnamese Americans. Many of these immigrant stories could serve as bridges to discussing the experiences of other cultural and ethnic migrations.

Visit Your Government

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:20:04 GMT

Find out about your local government through planning a short field trip, and then think about how you could make a difference in your community. The activity guide also includes tips for reviewing the experience once you're back at home or in the classroom. Included in an OurStory module from Smithsonian's National Museum of American History entitled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Voices of Bull Run

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:32:40 GMT

This unit will introduce the first major clash in the Civil War--the Battle of Bull Run--and encourage students to consider the perspectives of ordinary citizens of the North and the South and the impact of this battle on their lives. The activities are based on the award-winning young adult novel Bull Run by Paul Fleischman.

Voices of US Presidents of the Twentieth Century

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:39:44 GMT

The Vincent Voice Library at Michigan State University is working to preserve over 100 years of historical spoken word recordings like those of the U.S. Presidents, and shares some of the sound samples from its collection for students, teachers, and scholars on this website. The site is an easily searchable library of primary audio sources of any president from Benjamin Harrison to George W. Bush.

Vote: The Machinery of Democracy Homepage

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:09:00 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the history of voting methods in the United States, study how ballots and voting systems have evolved over the years as a response to political, social, and technological change, transforming the ways in which Americans vote. The exhibit includes sections on paper ballots, reform, the gear & lever voting machine, Florida 2000, and present and future ballots.

Vote: The Machinery of Democracy Resources

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:39:26 GMT

This list of resources, included in the online exhibition from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, includes books on voting technology as well as the voting machines that were addressed throughout the exhibition.

Voting: Design for Democracy

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:35:25 GMT

Recent efforts to ensure each vote counts are addressed in this portion of the online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Students will study how precincts have made efforts to improve communication, voting processes, and how votes are counted to ensure each person’s vote is counted.

Voting: Florida 2000

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:35:45 GMT

Public confidence in the accuracy of voting systems is the focus of this section of the online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Students will learn how the recount of ballots during the 2000 presidential election called into question the precision of punch card ballots as well as the results of the voting.

Voting: Punch Card Democracy

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:30:41 GMT

The impacts on voting due to social and technological advancements in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century are addressed in this section of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s online exhibition Vote: The Machinery of Democracy. Students will learn how reforms, such as the Voting Rights Act and the 26th Amendment, led to vote recording systems that could tap the processing power of computers. New technologies marketed to improve and accelerate the reporting of election results.

Voting: The Acme of Reform

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:04:38 GMT

Paper balloting easily led to fraud. The reform of voting methods during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is the focus of this section of the online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. As the electorate of the United States increased due to immigration and as women claimed their right to vote, the need for better and more secure ballots became necessary. Students will examine objects, images, and historical media that illustrate the need for more honest and secure voting procedures.

Voting: The Present and Future Ballot

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:36:27 GMT

Efforts to ensure the funding of modern, accurate, and secure voting machines is the focus of this part of the online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Students will learn about current computerized systems and the movement towards touch screen ballots that include redundant security and verification features.

WANN microphone

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:13:19 GMT

WANN represents a significant moment in American cultural history-the rise of black-oriented broadcasting. Although blacks constituted 10 percent of the population, black interest in broadcasting on any scale, didn't begin until 1948. That year WDIA in Memphis became the first station to go to a format with exclusively black on-air personnel. Shortly after, a handful of stations committed to black interests. WANN was one of the first half-dozen. The station went on the air in 1948, and by 1950 owner and manager Morris Blum had directed his station to the black community in Annapolis and the surrounding area.

War of 1812

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:48:50 GMT

This website discusses the major events of the War of 1812, including the burning of Washington, and the battles of Fort McHenry and New Orleans. Students will learn from images and objects in the Museum's collections to shed light on the conflict that gave the country a new symbol, the Star-Spangled Banner, and a new hero, Andrew Jackson. This website is part of the online exhibition, The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of this site is available: The War of 1812.

War of 1812 Classroom Resources - Thinkport

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:28:44 GMT

This searchable site from Thinkport/Maryland Public Television offers lesson plans and interactives on the War of 1812 from the National Park Service, Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, and related historic sites.

War of Independence

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:37:36 GMT

Americans went to war to win their independence from Great Britain. Through the use of images and objects from the Museum's collections, students will learn about the involvement of colonial militias during the French and Indian War, the causes of the Revolution, life in the Continental Army, the major battles of the War of Independence, the participants on both sides of the conflict and the legacy of General George Washington. This website is part of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of the site is availalbe: The War of Independence.

War of Independence Activity: Who’s in Camp?

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:51:20 GMT

Use artifacts and historical literature to bring the War of Independence to life for elementary students. By playing the "Who's in camp?" card game, students develop a deeper understanding of the many civilian and military roles that supported the War of Independence, then use their knowledge for a role-playing writing assignment. This lesson plan, which includes background information and printable artifact cards, was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Wave Model Demonstration

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:40:33 GMT

Meet Steven Turner, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, as he discusses the Smithsonian's scientific instrument collection. This video focuses models used to represent the movement of sound waves, including demonstrations of wave models by Kohl, Ricky, and Crova, as well as a projected lantern wave model. This is the second video in a series of five.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents: 1993-2009

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:16:43 GMT

Every Monday, The National Archives and Records Administration's Office of the Federal Register compiles all of statements, messages and other Presidential materials released by the White House the week before. All of these Weekly Compilation documents from 1993 through the present can be found on this website. Using this site will allow students to gain further understanding of the relationship between the White House and the media.

West Point Graduates

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:12:32 GMT

Through the use of an interactive timeline, brief biographical sketches, objects and quotes, students will learn about 51 selected West Point graduates, their achievements, and their families, both in peace and in war. West Point Graduates is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

West Point Graduates During the Civil War and Reconstruction

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:04:44 GMT

The Civil War forced West Point graduates to make difficult choices regarding family and friends, and regional and national loyalties. Whether they fought for the North or the South, West Pointers played major roles during the era of Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will learn about the roles that these men played during this pivotal and divisive period. West Point Graduates During the Civil War and Reconstruction is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

West Point Graduates in the Antebellum Army

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:56:00 GMT

Using objects, images and short biographical sketches, this website teaches students how West Point Graduates played a major role in westward expansion and the development of the nation's transportation network and advances in technology between 1802 and 1860. West Pointers helped lay the groundwork for America's economic development, intellectual growth and territorial expansion in the years before the Civil War. The Antebellum Army is part of the online exhibition, West Point in the Making of America.

West Point Graduates in the Great War

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:29:15 GMT

Although the United States remained neutral for most of the First World War, American involvement eventually proved decisive in ending the conflict. This website focuses on the involvement of West Point graduates in the United States war effort during the Great War. Through the use of brief biographies and objects from the museum's collections, students will learn how these men helped to mobilize the country for war and supply and lead the army in the field. America in the Great War is part of the online exhibition, West Point in the Making of America.

West Point Graduates Quiz

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:46:11 GMT

West Point graduates had diverse careers and interests. They were not only military officers, but also inventors, builders, managers, and businessmen. Students can use three interactive multiple choice quizzes to review information contained in the exhibition. The topics of the quizzes are: Inventions and Innovations, Private and Public Works and War & Diplomacy. The West Point Graduates Quiz is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

West Point in the Making of America Homepage

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:29:15 GMT

This website looks at the lives of selected West Point graduates who attended the Academy between 1802 and 1918. Students will also learn about the U.S. Army's major functions in 19th and early 20th century America: building the nation's infrastructure of roads, bridges, canals, and railroads; exploring its territories from the Mississippi to the Pacific; and fighting its wars-the role of the West Pointers in engineering, exploration, and war.

West Point in the Making of America Resources

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:28:58 GMT

The collection of resources relating to military history and the United States Military Academy at West Point includes an extensive bibliography, teacher and student resources and web links. It is included in the online exhibition entitled West Point in the Making of America.

West Point in the Twentieth Century

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:28:07 GMT

In the 20th century, West Point changed to meet the demands of a new century, but its graduates continued to lead the nation's armed forces in war and peace. Students will learn about the reformation of the curriculum at West Point, the achievements of the class of 1915, and the admission of the first female cadets in 1976. West Point in the 20th Century is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.

Western Indian Wars

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:11:33 GMT

In the decades following the Civil War, the U.S. Army fought dozens of engagements with Indians in the West. This website explores Federal Indian policies and conflicts that arose as Americans flooded west into the Great Plains. Through the use of images and objects from the Museum's collections, students will learn about: Sitting Bull, George Custer and the Battle of Little Bighorn; the massacre at Wounded Knee; the resistance of Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache; buffalo soldiers; and the realities of life on Indian Reservations. A non-flash version of the site is available: Western Indian Wars.

Western Museums Association

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:51:19 GMT

The Western Museums Association challenges the diverse museum community of the West, empowering individuals to cultivate leadership and enable institutions to remain relevant in a dynamic world. We provide opportunities for learning and personal interaction to enhance the creative skills and enrich the lives of individuals who do museum work.

What Can You Make From a Buffalo?

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:01:22 GMT

The northern Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo. In this interactive matching game, students will match objects made by Native Americans from the body parts of buffalo to the appropriate part of the buffalo's anatomy. It is interactive whiteboard and iPad friendly and is included in the website Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting.

What is an emblem?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:24 GMT

Students can learn how automobile companies represented themselves through radiator emblems. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

What was on Lady Bird’s plate?

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:49:29 GMT

Take a close look at some special dishes that Lady Bird Johnson had created for the White House. Use the discussion and observation questions to think about the dishes and the dishes you have in your own home, and find out how these dishes connected to Lady Bird Johnson's work to protect the environment and bring beauty to every community. This activity is a part of the OurStory module called First Lady for the Environment.

Whatever Happened to Polio? Homepage

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:30:04 GMT

This website uses images, artifacts, oral histories and interactive resources to tell the story of the polio epidemics in the United States and the struggle to find a vaccination to prevent them. The exhibition is divided into four parts covering the effects of polio on communities, families and medicine, the social, scientific and medical legacies of the disease, how the virus works and how a vaccine was developed, and the state of the global campaign to eradicate polio today. This exhibition will help students learn the important connections between science and history.

Whatever Happened to Polio?: Resources

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:30:35 GMT

This list of resources includes recommended books on topics related to the history of polio, a bibliography, a glossary of terms relevant to the history of polio and a list of related links. The resource list is part of the online exhibition, Whatever Happened to Polio?

Where's Everyone Going?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:29:19 GMT

In this interactive game, students explore the changes in America transportation over time as they match a variety of vehicles with their destinations and time periods. This interactive is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Who Am I? A History Mystery

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:05:24 GMT

In this interactive game, students select a mystery character from the Civil War and examine objects that hold the key to their identity, video footage, first person reenactments, oral history interviews, and lesson plans. This resource was developed in conjunction with the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.

Who Represents You?

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:50:10 GMT

Use three Web sites to gather data about the people that live in your home state and those who represent you in Congress. Then use an online tool to make comparing this information easy! Included in an OurStory module entitled Winning the Vote for Women, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Whole Cloth

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:16:44 GMT

Explore science, technology, and invention through American textile history in these interdisciplinary curriculum units from the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. Learn about the development of the cotton gin, the growth of Northern textile production, the invention of dyes and dying, the development of nylon in World War II.

William Bradford Cup

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:59:58 GMT

This silver wine cup belonged to Pilgrim leader and Mayflower passenger William Bradford, who governed Plymouth Colony for thirty years. Made for Bradford in London, the cup bears his initials on one side.
The idea of America as a religious refuge originates with the Pilgrims, a group of English separatists who founded a colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. While the Pilgrims sought freedom to practice their own form of Protestantism, they were often intolerant of other kinds of worship in their settlement.

Wing Luke Asian Museum

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:18:58 GMT

A pan-Asian Pacific American Museum devoted to the collection, preservation and display of Asian Pacific American culture, history and art, the museum's programs are inspired and created by the combined efforts of museum professionals and grassroots community members. The Wing Luke Asian Museum is a multidisciplinary cultural center that presents arts and heritage exhibitions, public programs, school tours, publications, and films, and maintains a permanent collection and research center.

Winning the Vote for Women

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:50:48 GMT

For more than a century, women in the United States struggled to obtain the right to vote. In 1920, the suffrage movement finally achieved victory with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the history of the women's suffrage movement and women's role in civic life today. Focused on actively reading Mama Went to Jail for the Vote, a historical fiction picture book about the women's suffrage movement, this module also includes links to a hands-on activity, field trip, object-based learning experience, and technology exploration.

Winning the Vote: How Americans Elect Their President

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:35:57 GMT

Explore the American presidency and elections in these four activities from Smithsonian Education’s Art to Zoo. Each of the four activities focuses on a different skill in social studies: examining maps, using timelines, studying collections, and using primary sources. The activities are enhanced with printable handouts for students, discussion questions for the class, and suggestions for additional resources.

Within These Walls Homepage

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:26:59 GMT

Students will learn how the Smithsonian acquired the house at 16 Elm Street Ipswich, Massachusetts and saved more than a dozen family stories and 200 years of American social history. They will also learn some of the methods historians and curators used to learn about this house's past, the ways that it changed over time, and the people who lived in it.

Woman's Comb

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:39:51 GMT

This tortoiseshell woman's hair comb dates from the 19th century. A precursor to plastics, tortoiseshell and horn were common materials used in combs since they could be made soft and moldable by heating. As they cooled, they would harden and keep their new shape.

From the Teodoro Vidal Collection

Women’s Role in the Civil War

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:17:07 GMT

Women served in the Civil War as nurses, spies, and vivandieres. Explore these stories with students through a video clip and close examination of two dresses and a woman's uniform.This lesson plan (which includes background information, guided analysis questions, and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Wooden name plate used in Manzanar

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:19:14 GMT

The individual identified in Japanese characters, here is, Michibiku Ozamoto, or, in English, T. Ozamoto. The numbers 24-4-3 stand for Block 24, Barracks 4, Apartment 3.

Word Art with King's Words

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:29:20 GMT

Examine one or more of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letters or speeches and turn powerful words and phrases into word art using the online Wordle tool. Included in an OurStory module entitled Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence, this activity is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of children's literature, everyday objects, and hands-on activities.

Working on the Ocean Liner Leviathan

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:30:49 GMT

Students can view objects related to working on the ocean liner Leviathan, one of the largest and most popularly recognizable passenger ships on the Atlantic in the 1920s and 1930s. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in US history.

Working with the Short-Handled Hoe: Organizing Farmworkers after World War II

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:31:36 GMT

This teacher's resource challenges students to think about the short-handled hoe and its connection to agriculture and the organizing of Latino farm workers after World War II. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects and 3 lesson plans focused on Cesar Chavez and the struggle of Latino farm workers for social justice. Also included are annotated links to other online resources that are related to farm workers, Cesar Chavez and the bracero program.

This resource is incluced in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center of History and New Media.

World War I

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:35:28 GMT

Americans reluctantly entered Europe's "Great War" and tipped the balance to Allied victory. The United States emerged from the war a significant, but reluctant, world power. Students will learn about American involvement in World War I and how American industrial and military might broke the stalemate that had existed for three bloody years on Europe's Western Front in this section of the online exhibition, The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. A non-flash version of this site is available: World War I.

World War I Overview

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:42:03 GMT

Overview of the First World War, taken from news reel footage. Includes the declaration of war and invasion of Belgium by Germany, U Boats and naval warfare, trench warfare, United States entrance and end of war.

World War II

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:24:47 GMT

Students will learn how Americans joined the Allies to defeat Axis militarism and nationalist expansion. Sixteen million Americans donned uniforms in this section of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. The millions more who stayed home comprised a vast civilian army, mobilized by the government to support the war effort. The world-wide conflict that led to the emergence of the United States as an economic and military superpower is divided into sections that allow students to focus either on a specific aspect of the war, or the conflict as a whole. The sections included are titled: Axis Aggression, America Enters the War, Mobilizing for War, "You're in the Army Now", Battle of the Atlantic, The Mediterranean Theater, Storming Fortress Europe, The Pacific Theater; So Others Might Fight; Morale Boosters and Victory and Peace. A non-flash version of the site is available: World War II.

World War II Cartoons

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:33:04 GMT

Cartoons from World War II helped explain the war to children and encouraged families to do their part for the war cause.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Mobilizing Children WWII lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

World War II Overview: North Atlantic and North Africa

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:33:49 GMT

This video, an overview of the Allied efforts in the North Atlantic and North Africa, was compiled from original video footage as part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the The Soldiers Experience lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

World War II Poster

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:09:03 GMT

This image, said to be the most popular poster design of World War II, appeared as a billboard in 1941. Carl Paulson created the design under the direction of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc., for a U.S. Treasury Department campaign promoting the widespread public ownership of defense bonds and stamps. To demonstrate the power of advertising while selling bonds, the billboard industry displayed this image of the American flag at more than 30,000 locations in some 18,000 cities and towns across the country in March and April 1942. The Treasury brought back the billboard for campaigns in July 1942 and 1943. To meet public demand for copies of the billboard, the Government Printing Office printed 4 million small color reproductions.

Use this Investigation Sheet to guide students through describing the object and analyzing its meaning.

Worlds in Motion: American Indians on the Colonial Frontier

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:13:11 GMT

The Worlds in Motion Web site, created by the Senator John Heinz History Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate in Pittsburgh, is designed for use by educators teaching about American Indians on the Colonial Frontier and the French and Indian War. It contains extensive and comprehensive lesson plans for students of all grade levels. The lessons expand perceptions of Eastern American Indians and their role in colonial-era history. Each lesson includes grade level recommendations, a lesson abstract, an activity with process guidelines and tips, and evaluation tools. The lessons are based upon student use of primary artifacts and documents, literature, and the visual and performing arts.

Xerox 914 Plain Paper Copier

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:46:47 GMT

Introduced in 1959, the Xerox 914 plain paper copier revolutionized the document-copying industry. The culmination of inventor Chester Carlson's work on the xerographic process, the 914 was fast and economical. One of the most successful Xerox products ever, a 914 model could make 100,000 copies per month...

Y2K Millennium Meltdown R-U-Ready? Hot Sauce Bottle

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:18:53 GMT

As the “Millennium Bug” gained media attention, some businesses used the hype to market special millennium foods. From cars to breakfast cereal, companies like the Figueroa Brothers, Inc., cashed in on the Y2K name. This bottle once contained Y2K Millennium Meltdown ¿R-U-Ready? hot sauce, a spicy concoction made with jalapeño peppers.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company's Y2K Project Team spent over three years working to make their company Y2K compliant. This meant many late nights working and thus many visits to the local restaurants. This bottle of hot sauce was given to the team by the owner of the restaurant most frequented by the team.

Yankee Stadium Ticket Booth

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:18:30 GMT

This 1923 ticket booth is from Yankee Stadium, called "The House that Ruth Built" because the star slugger, Babe Ruth (1895–1948), revitalized the game, bringing in thousands of new fans.

YORICK, The Bionic Skeleton

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:15:11 GMT

Yorick is a plastic male skeleton imbedded with electronic and mechanical devices used to replace worn body parts. Yorick was created by Ed Mueller, an engineer in the Division of Mechanical and Material Sciences at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in Washington, D.C.

Yorik often made appearances at schools, Scout meetings, and hospitals to educate students about bionics and current research on implant design development.

Some of the devices implanted in Yorick are: cranial plate, silicone nose, carbon tooth root, interocular lens, cochlear implant, heart valve, artificial heart, cardiac pacemaker, infusion port, vascular grafts, urinary sphincter prosthesis, artificial patella, bone plate, artificial tendons, bone growth stimulator, and artificial hip, knee, elbow, and finger joints.

You are the Historian: The First Thanksgiving

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:02:31 GMT

This interactive Web site from Plimoth Plantation, a Smithsonian Affiliate, focuses on clarifying fact and fiction surrounding the "First Thanksgiving." Students use audio from Plimoth Plantation historians, images of artifacts, and a glossary to answer questions and explore the lives of the Wamapanoag and English settlers, and their interactions. The presentation encourages critical thinking and historical investigation. A related Teacher's Guide includes a bibliography, educational standards alignment, and printable versions of the Web site's content. This site works best in Internet Explorer 5+. The site is most appropriate for children in grades two through six.

You Can, Too

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:11:42 GMT

Community service is an important part of being a good citizen. In this activity, students will discuss an episode from Freedom on the Menu, a work of children's literature about an important event during the Civil Rights Movement; identify a problem in their local community and then volunteer to help with a service project. Part of an OurStory module entitled Students Sit for Civil Rights, this activity will help students use problem-solving skills to take action to fill a need in their communities or take steps to solve a community problem. OurStory is a program designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities.

Youth Town Hall with the Greensboro Civil Rights Pioneers: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Woolworth Lunch Counter Student Sit-In (Lecture Video)

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:01:35 GMT

During this 98-minute archived webcast, hear three members of the Greensboro Four reflect on their experiences as nonviolent protesters during the civil rights movement. The three surviving members of the Greensboro Four, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair, Jr.), Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil participated in an oral history. Their bold action ignited student involvement in the Civil Rights Movement when they staged a sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 1, 1960.

Yo-yo Maraca

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:21:09 GMT

The yo-yo maraca is a Puerto Rican novelty that unites both a spinning top and a musical instrument of native origin called a maraca. The name "yo-yo" is a misnomer, since the toy functions like a spinning top.