Grade 8

The “Lieber Code” – The First Modern Codification of the Laws of War

Source: Library of Congress Blog

Have you ever heard of the Geneva Conventions? They are a series of treaties that define how many aspects of war are to be conducted–such as the taking of prisoners or treatment of civilians. But did you know the first modern attempt to write rules for warfare actually happened during the Civil War? They were written by Francis Lieber and issued in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln as instructions for what Union soldiers could–and couldn’t–do while waging war in the field.

6 Black Heroes of the Civil War

Source: History

Read about acts of courage that left a lasting impact during the American Civil War.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Statue of Liberty

Source: Parade

Did you know that this famous lady could have ended up in Boston or Philadelphia, or further afield? These ten interesting facts might surprise you.

History Restored: The Untold Story of Black Civil War Soldiers

Source: gwtoday

Most of us have never heard of the Louisiana Native Guards, yet their impact in the American Civil War was tremendous. This History Ph.D. candidate is on a mission to tell their story.

Kentucky Man Finds ‘Hoard’ of Civil War Gold Coins Worth Millions in Cornfield

Source: The Guardian

Extremely rare Civil War era coins both represent and make history. Read about how gold coins discovered in a Kentucky cornfield mark a significant historical moment.

Huston middle-schoolers get tangible Civil War lesson

Source: Trib Live

History lessons over the American Civil War are more engaging than ever as students interact with clothing, toys, and other objects from that era.

The shortest American Civil War summary you’ll ever read

Source: USA Today

Key dates and events are highlighted in this brief, informative overview of the American Civil War.

What Really Destroyed Tulsa’s Black Wall Street

Source: Nonprofit Quarterly

Read this in-depth article about the Tulsa Massacre.

A century after Harriet Tubman died, scholars try to separate fact from fiction

Source: The Washington Post

Harriet Tubman has long been a legend in the fight to abolish slavery in the United States. Recently, scholars have begun to take a closer look at what we think we know about the woman behind the legend.

Professor Says He Has Solved a Mystery Over a Slave’s Novel

Source: The New York Times

Gregg Hecimovich, a professor of English in South Carolina, may have successfully identified the woman who wrote The Bondwoman’s Narrative. The novel is thought to be the first written by an African-American woman. Until now, no one knew the author’s true identity.

New Year’s Eve, Day holds special meaning for Black Americans

Source: Savannah Now

Read about the history of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traditions for Black Americans.

Civil Rights Movement

Source: History

The Emancipation Proclamation did not end racial oppression. Read the Introduction and Background on this web site to learn how African Americans continued to fight for equal rights.

In 1865, thousands of Black South Carolinians signed a 54-foot-long freedom petition

Source: Washington Post

Read about some of the objects on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The past is the past? How slavery still benefits white Americans

Source: Work in Progress

A sociologist shares the results and repercussions of an in-depth data analysis.

Confederate Pride and Prejudice

Source: The Washington Post

Well over a century after the South lost the Civil War, its battle flag is showing up in a surprising place: the North. This article explores the causes and effects.

What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack?

Source: Education Week

Learn why an academic approach toward examining lingering effects of slavery has turned into a hot-button topic.

150 Years Later, Myths Persist about the Emancipation Proclamation

Source: CNN

What did the Emancipation Proclamation really do? Three myths about this document are addressed in this article, which was written for the 150th anniversary of its signing.

Reconstruction and Its Aftermath

Source: Library of Congress

View artifacts from the Reconstruction era, including artworks, pamphlets, maps, and more.

Boston Art Commission Votes To Remove Emancipation Memorial From Park Square

Source: WBUR

Learn why a sculpture inspired by the Emancipation Proclamation incited controversy that resulted in its removal.

‘Make Farmers Black Again’: African Americans Fight Discrimination To Own Farmland

Source: NPR

After decades of land loss and lending discrimination Black American farmers struggle to reclaim the ability to sustain their ancestral farmlands.

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