People have been immigrating to America for tens of thousands of years. Use this interactive timeline to see how immigration patterns have changed over time.
Tag Archives: History
Challenger Disaster
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven of its crew members. At this site, you can read and watch videos about this national tragedy.
Address at the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March
Read or listen to one of the most important speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The AI Revolution Is On
Artificial intelligence is all around us—and it’s not a bunch of robots that behave like humans. Find out what AI looks like in today’s world, and discover how we got here.
I’ve Been Haunted by Anne Frank’s Memory for So Long
After Anne Frank’s death, her father married the mother of Eva Schloss, who had gone into hiding with her family and survived a concentration camp. In this interview, Schloss talks about her experiences growing up as Anne Frank’s stepsister.
Immigration Explorer
The vast majority of Americans can trace their roots to another country. This interactive map from The New York Times makes it easy to see where and when different groups settled in the United States. Use the pull-down menu in the upper left corner to select a national group, then move the arrow on the timeline to see how many people entered the United States during each decade.
Slavery in America
Read this article to learn about how slavery came to the United States and about the fight to abolish it. From this page, you can also watch videos and browse links to other related topics, such as important historical figures of the time, the American Civil War, and the abolitionist movement.
9/11 Memorial
Though paralyzing and devastating to the nation, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, also served to unite its citizens. Ten years later, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum opened to the public. At this site, you can learn about the design and construction of the memorial, access a webcam to view it, take a virtual tour, and explore the museum’s collections.
James I on the Divine Right of Kings
King James I of England was a proponent of the divine right of kings: the idea that a king’s power came directly from God. This idea is key to several of Shakespeare’s plays, including Macbeth, and was delineated in a speech the king gave to Parliament in 1609. This site provides the original text, a transcript, and an audio recording.
The Museum of Tolerance
Located in southern California, the Museum of Tolerance is “dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts.” Explore the interactive exhibits available at the official site of the museum.
Dying for Freedom
Though the Emancipation Proclamation freed countless slaves, it failed to put into place any measures to assist them in their lives after slavery. Read about the untold obstacles to freedom these people faced.
The Real Story of Revere’s Ride
To learn more about Paul Revere’s famous ride, visit this site created by the Paul Revere Memorial Association. Read through the account of what really happened that night, check out the interactive map that tracks Revere’s journey, and read his own account of the events.
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Since the beginning of human history, art has reflected the responses of people to their lives and the changing world around them. Explore this comprehensive timeline, which places examples of art through the ages in historical and geographic context.
Auden’s Musée des Beaux Arts
Auden’s poem is only partly about the painting “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.” In this article, Scott Horton discusses the other source for Auden’s images and provides historical context for both the poem and the art: Breughel’s “The Census at Bethlehem.”
Odysseus’ Journey
Using this interactive map, you can follow Odysseus on his travels and learn about each destination on his 20-year-long journey.
The Red Tail Squadron: Honoring Tuskegee Airmen
The history of flight is full of bold actions taken by courageous people. Explore this site to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and crew.
The Perilous Lure of the Underground Railroad
Journalist Kathryn Shulz examines fictional accounts of fugitive slaves navigating the underground railroad, the accuracy of those accounts, and why we are drawn to them.
Nature in Chinese Culture
Throughout history, nature has inspired Chinese artwork. Read the article to learn about the country’s connection to nature and click some of the images in the slideshow to view specific art pieces.
Holocaust Museum: Exhibit probes Berlin’s historic Olympics of 1936
Earlier this year, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center featured an exhibit that explored the controversial 1936 Olympic Games held in Nazi Germany.
Louis Pasteur: The man who led the fight against germs
Follow this timeline to learn about Louis Pasteur, who developed the process of pasteurization and several early vaccines. His “germ theory” led other scientists to discoveries in sanitation and sterilization.