United States History
Comprehensive resources ...
Be Washington™
Do you have what it takes to lead like George Washington? Be Washington is a first-person interactive leadership experience. Come face to face with challenges that George Washington confronted… learn more
History Channel: History Classroom
HISTORY Classroom offers resources for educators, including education guides, learning tools, and links to educational content. learn more
Britannica: September 11 Attacks
September 11 attacks, also called 9/11 attacks, series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks committed in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda against targets in the United States, the deadliest… learn more
American Historama: United States History for Kids
United States History for Kids: Important Historical Events This United States History for Kids website is presented in a unique way by linking some of the most famous… learn more
Women in the 1920s
Summary of Women in the 1920s Summary: The role of women in society had taken a massive leap forward In 1920 when all women were given the right to… learn more
EDSITEment: Lesson Plans
EDSITEment is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Trust for the Humanities. EDSITEment offers free resources for teachers, students, and parents searching for high-quality K-12… learn more
Constitution Day – September 17, 2022
Celebrated on September 17, Constitution Day, also known as Constitution and Citizenship Day, honors the document that guarantees Americans their essential rights. Since its ratification in 1787, the… learn more
Smithsonian's History Explorer: Lessons & Activities
Smithsonian's History Explorer was developed by the National Museum of American History in partnership with the Verizon Foundation to offer hundreds of free, innovative online resources for teaching… learn more
History Channel: September 11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States.… learn more
National Museum of American History
Empowering people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past. We collect artifacts of all kinds—from gowns to locomotives—to… learn more
Our Story
Smithsonian's History Explorere. American History stories and activities you can do together. learn more
US History
Website contains thousands of pages covering all aspects of U.S. History plus free online textbooks. learn more
PBS: US History Collection
IN DEVELOPMENT IN 2022, this Collection is growing all the time! Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with culturally inclusive resources that bring the major people, events, and… learn more
Columbus Day October 10th
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2022 occurs on Monday, October 10. It… learn more
From the American Revolution to World War 2
History on the Net features articles and podcast episodes on everything from Ancient Near East civilizations to 20th-century global warfare. Topics covered include military history, diplomacy, everyday life, biographies,… learn more
Constitution Facts: The Presidents of the United States
Welcome to ConstitutionFacts.com where you'll see the entire text of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence - and much more! You'll find interesting insights into… learn more
Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?
When Japanese bombers appeared in the skies over Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941, the U.S. military was completely unprepared for the devastating surprise attack, which dramatically… learn more
American Presidency: Educational Resources
The National Portrait Gallery began to acquire the likenesses of American presidents shortly after the museum was established by Congress in 1962, and a number of portraits, including… learn more
The American Presidency Project
Our goal today is to be recognized as the authoritative, non-partisan on-line source for presidential public documents. By providing easy access to useful information, we seek to promote a more… learn more
Women’s History Milestones: A Timeline
From a plea to a founding father, to the suffragists to Title IX, to the first female political figures, women have blazed a steady trail towards equality in… learn more
Americana Corner Video Gallary
Here at Americana Corner, you’ll find informative stories of the great events, founding documents, and inspirational leaders who helped create and shape our country. From the American Revolution… learn more
History for Humans
History For Humans is devoted to creating engaging video-based history lessons that interest and challenge students to think deeply about the past and its importance today. AP US… learn more
History for Kids
Today, more than 500,000 families have already tried Learn Our History and millions of video lessons have been enjoyed by smart children across the United States. What’s more,… learn more
The Assassin's Escape: Following John Wilkes Booth
After assassinating Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth fled Ford’s Theatre and went on the run. His escape continued for the next twelve days and covered over ninety miles… learn more
American Battlefield: Resources for Educators
As a history teacher, you can make a big impression in leading young Americans to care about the history of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil… learn more
Band Music from the Civil War Era
On September 27, 1974, the Music Division of the Library of Congress re-created a typical concert of brass band and vocal music from mid-nineteenth-century America. That concert has… learn more
The History Place
The History Place is a private, independent, Internet-only publication based in the Boston area that is not affiliated with any political group or organization. The Web site presents… learn more
The Daily Bellringer
The Daily Bellringer offers short 4 to 6 minute American History warm-ups and reviews. The videos could be used as a way to introduce material to students and… learn more
Miller Center: U.S. Presidents
At the Miller Center, we strive to illuminate presidential and political history accurately and fairly. To shine a light on all the ways our democracy has worked—and all… learn more
4 Ways to Use Comics and Graphic Novels to Engage Students
Most classroom walls display rules about arriving on time or raising hands to speak. Tim Smyth’s has a sign reminding students: “You’re Not Allowed to Ask Which is… learn more
PBS LearningMedia: American Veteran
Follow individual trajectories of America’s diverse community of veterans as they join the military, experience deployments, and then return and adjust to civilian life. Analyze oral histories that… learn more
TeachersFirst's Resources Related to Colonial America
Bring Colonial America to your class with the reviewed resources shared in this section. The colonial history of the United States covers the period of time from 1607… learn more
History with Mr. E
Engaging American & World History Lessons STUDENT-CENTERED UNITS. World and American History intrigue-based resources, crime scene investigations, debates, interactive notebooks, and primary source analysis place (and keep) students… learn more
How a Deadly Railroad Strike Led to the Labor Day Holiday
Americans see Labor Day as time off from work, an opportunity to enjoy a barbecue with friends and family and a final moment of summertime relaxation before the busy… learn more
The 13 Colonies
The 13 colonies founded along the Eastern seaboard in the 17th and 18th centuries weren't the first colonial outposts on the American continent, but they were the ones… learn more
NewseumED: ED Collections
Browse 1,000s of Lesson Plans, Digital Artifacts, Videos, Historical Events, Interactives and Other EDTools. learn more
National History Day
Studying the past to inform the present and shape the future. Once a frontier is crossed, history changes. The National History Day® (NHD) 2023 contest theme invites the exploration… learn more
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History was founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, visionaries and lifelong supporters of American history education. The Institute… learn more
Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy
To continue the distinguished legacy and lifetime work of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to advance American democracy through multigenerational civics education, civil discourse and civic engagement. To create… learn more
Teaching American History
Teaching American History is a free resource that brings together primary documents, continuing education, and community for American history teachers. Our Teacher Partners strengthen their American history, government,… learn more
9/11 Memorial Museum
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum offers interactive lesson plans for students in grades 3 to 12 that address the 9/11 attacks, their ongoing repercussions, and the history of the… learn more
Best Free Constitution Day Lessons and Activities
These free Constitution Day lessons and activities will inspire students to understand, question, and debate the most important issues of our day. On September 17, 1787, delegates to… learn more
Bill of Rights Institute: Presidents and the Constitution
Presidents and the Constitution (Volumes 1 and 2) will allow students to explore how specific constitutional principles have applied in numerous situations in history. Volume I features fifteen… learn more
Britannica: Veterans Day
Veterans Day honors those who have served in the armed forces and soldiers who lost their lives in the country’s wars. In the U.S., the national holiday is commemorated… learn more
George Washington Mount Vernon: Lesson Plans
The mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is to preserve, restore, and manage the estate of George Washington to the highest standards and to educate visitors and… learn more
Bill of Rights Institute: Civil War and Reconstruction
During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln struggled to preserve the American constitutional republic and Union that ensured liberty and equality for all Americans. To that end, Lincoln… learn more
In the News: The Heat Was On
Nervous delegates, arguments, and a heat wave. These were just a few of the things the Founders dealt with as they wrote the United States Constitution. learn more
Inventors of the Industrial Revolution
TeachersFirst offers this classroom-ready unit on Inventors of the Industrial Revolution, written by Georgia social studies teacher Bill Burton and revised in 2007, in a format well-suited for… learn more
PBS NewsHour: 7 teaching resources for Labor Day
Looking for powerful Labor Day lesson plans and resources? Help students understand the history of the labor movement and its relevance today at home and around the world.… learn more
National Park Service: (H)our History Lessons
(H)our History Lessons are one-hour resources featuring a reading, discussion questions, and 1-3 activities. Some are based on longer, traditional Teaching with Historic Places lesson plans while others… learn more
National Park Service: Lesson Plans
Teaching with Historic Places offers a series of more than 160 classroom-ready lesson plans that use historic sites as a means for exploring American history. Educators and their… learn more
American Heritage Education Foundation
AHEF accomplishes this patriotic mission nationally by providing free K-College lesson plans and educational resources, workshops, a college academic scholarship competition, and other programs. Please Sign Up to… learn more
Colonial Williamsburg: Education Resource Library
Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Community has combined with the HERO media library to help you teach American history with video, classroom lessons and interactive web activities. learn more
TeachersFirst's Pearl Harbor and World War II Resources
This curated collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students honor Pearl Harbor Day and the important events of World War II through… learn more
TeacherVision: Veterans Day Activities, Printables & Lessons
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, which commemorated the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Today, Veteran’s Day honors all of America’s veterans for their… learn more
TED-Ed: The Historic Women’s Suffrage March on Washington
.On March 3, 1913, after months of strategic planning and controversy, thousands of women gathered in Washington D.C. for the Women’s Suffrage Parade -- the first mass protest… learn more
The 9/11 Lesson: Celebrating Real-Life Superheroes
Global Game Changers received a three-year AmeriCorps 9/11 Day of Service Federal Grant to develop a unique educational experience and lessons to fulfill our project vision and mission.… learn more
The Civil War Curriculum
Created by classroom teachers, leading historians, and the American Battlefield Trust Education Department, The Civil War Curriculum is an easy-to-use, interdisciplinary, resource-rich guide for teaching the American Civil… learn more
Colonial Williamsburg: Teacher Resources
The Bob & Marion Wilson Educator Resource Library features lesson materials developed by historians and educators to address educators’ needs for engaging, inclusive, relevant American history and civics… learn more
SEVEN US MILITARY HISTORY TEACHING RESOURCES
With Veterans Day coming up on November 11, you might be looking for some great resources to teach US military history and give insight into the lives, work,… learn more
GeoInquiries for US History-Map Based Activities
Experience the past with this collection that highlights critical map concepts in American history including the original 13 colonies, expansion, resettlement, World War I, World War II, and… learn more
The Pilgrims: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
In 2014, Plimoth Patuxet Museums provided an inspirational setting for American Experience and filmmaker Ric Burns to produce The Pilgrims, a full-length documentary exploring the early histories of Plymouth… learn more
Mayflower and Mayflower Compact
Plimoth Patuxet Museum. Would you have liked to travel on a small ship with more than 100 other people, all of their belongings, and possibly some farm animals… learn more
Who Were the Pilgrims?
Plimoth Patuxet Museum. The people we know as Pilgrims have become so surrounded by legend that we are tempted to forget that they were real people. Against great… learn more
Lesson plan: Veterans Day and the meaning of sacrifice
Use this PBS NewsHour lesson plan to help students understand the significance of Veterans Day and the meaning of sacrifice. Students will identify important veterans in their lives,… learn more
HistoryView Virtual Tours: American Revolution
The American Revolution: Where History Was Forged. Step back in time to a pivotal moment in world history at the American Revolution’s historical sites, scattered across the eastern… learn more
The Gettysburg Address
On this date in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Speech given by Abraham Lincoln… learn more
National Park Service: Ellis Island
How far would you travel to find a better life? What if the journey took weeks under difficult conditions? If you answered "Whatever it takes," you echo the… learn more
History: Ellis Island - Records, Passengers, & Immigration
Ellis Island is a historical site that opened in 1892 as an immigration station, a purpose it served for more than 60 years until it closed in 1954.… learn more
History: Industrial Revolution - Definitions, Inventions, & Dates
The Industrial Revolution was a period of scientific and technological development in the 18th century that transformed largely rural, agrarian societies—especially in Europe and North America—into industrialized, urban… learn more
Immigration: Explore Ellis Island
Welcome to Ellis Island! More than 12 million immigrants made their first stop in America at the Ellis Island Immigration Station between 1892 and 1954. In fact, more… learn more
Best Free Indigenous Peoples Day Lessons and Activities
Explore the top free lessons and activities for teaching about Indigenous history and culture. First celebrated in the U.S. in 1992 in Berkeley, California, Indigenous Peoples Day is… learn more
12 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES THAT AWESOME SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS USE
Content can be a killer. It dominates everything in secondary social studies. But that doesn’t mean it has to be all drill and kill. This website shares 12… learn more
Eyewitness to History: The American Civil War
A collection of Civil War websites on a variety of topics. learn more
Museum of the American Revolution: Mini Lesson Plans
The Museum of the American Revolution offers a growing list of free, downloadable lesson plans that explore topics including the role of museums, types of revolutions, and the people, causes,… learn more
What Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans and has been federally recognized since 2021. For the third year in a row, the United States… learn more
AMERICAN REVOLUTION SIMULATION
Help students understand where the ideas that fueled the writing of the Declaration of Independence came from. The roots of the American Revolution go deep in history. Starting with… learn more
History Teaching Institute: Lesson Plans
The History Teaching Institute (HTI) serves as the primary outreach unit of The Ohio State University History Department. We work with teachers to develop curriculum and to incorporate… learn more
20 Teacher Resources on Native American History and Culture
Twenty resources that middle and high school teachers can turn to when developing lesson plans related to the roles of Native American peoples in American history and contemporary… learn more
2019-2020 US History Textbook
El Paso Independent School District in El Paso Texas created this US History text for its high school course using OER, CC, and public domain content from a… learn more
Best Free Veterans Day Lessons & Activities
Plan your Veterans Day classroom activities and lessons with quizzes, videos, primary sources, and more. The best Veterans Day lessons and activities can provide the perfect way to… learn more
September 11: Lessons and Resources for Classroom Teachers
Education World presents Remembering September 11, which includes five new lessons to help teachers reflect upon the September 11, 2001, attack on the United States. Those lessons keep alive… learn more
Documenting American South (Univ of North Carolina)
Documenting the American South (DocSouth) is a digital publishing initiative that provides Internet access to texts, images, and audio files related to Southern history, literature, and culture. Currently,… learn more
Docs Teach: Bring History to Life
DocsTeach is a product of the National Archives education division. Our mission is to engage, educate, and inspire all learners to discover and explore the records of the… learn more
Education World: Constitution Day Lessons and Resources
Education World has gathered resources that will help you find the perfect way -- whether you teach kindergarten or high school. These lesson ideas and resources provide the… learn more
Plimoth Patuxet: You are the Historian
Get transported to Patuxet, the pre-European homeland of the Wampanoag, and be immersed in a story of cultural change and persistence that spans 12,000 years. This Teacher Toolkit includes… learn more
Hail to the Chief: Inauguration Lessons
Every four years on January 20, an important event occurs in the United States: A president takes the Oath of Office during an inauguration ceremony. Education World offers… learn more
C-Span: Middle School U.S. History
This section includes U.S. History resources with content and activities geared towards middle school and younger learners. The following resources are organized chronologically by eras. Click on each title to expand… learn more
On 9/11, They Were at School.
Here’s what happened inside their classrooms. Chalkbeat asked teachers and students what they remember about that day of terror 20 years later. It was the beginning of the… learn more
YouTube: American Battlefield Trust
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. The American Battlefield Trust permanently protects these battlefields… learn more
The Revolutionary War: Animated Battle Map
Learn About the Northern Campaign of the Revolutionary War: This animated map brings the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War to life, complete with with troop movement, narratives,… learn more
Women & the American Story
Welcome to Women & the American Story! A digital curriculum for K-12 classrooms. Women & the American Story (WAMS) is designed with that in mind. The primary resources and… learn more
TeacherVision: U.S. States
Explore the history, geography, and government of the fifty United States with these teaching resources. Use our lessons, printables, and quizzes to review state capitals with your students.… learn more
The Coming of the American Revolution: 1764 to 1776
In the years between 1764 and 1776, America truly became a nation. Where before America had been a cluster of competing British colonies—with differing origins, goals, and policies—by… learn more
History Hustle: American History Teacher Resources
American history teacher resources selected by History Hustle to assist history teachers with developing fun ways to teach history to their students and make the experience of learning… learn more
C-Span Classroom: The Louisiana Purchase Lesson Plan
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson arranged for the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon Bonaparte from France. This purchase was significant in terms of its size as well… learn more
C-Span Classroom Lesson Plan: The Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War was a war fought between Great Britain and the thirteen North American colonies which sought their independence. The war began with the first armed… learn more
C-Span Classroom Lesson Plan: The Thanksgiving Story - "This Land Is Their Land"
This lesson features video clips from author David Silverman talking about the history of Thanksgiving in the United States and the relationship between the Wampanoag Native People and… learn more
C-Span Classroom: Lesson Plan: Choice Board - Conversations with Suffragists
On August 18, 1920, women won the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. To commemorate this anniversary, the National Archives hosted a conversation with… learn more
America's Best History
Inspired by the best historic sites across the USA, America's Best History is one place where the history student or tourist can start, with a timeline history of… learn more
Lesson Plan: Key Events of the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was the struggle for equal rights and freedom for African Americans in the United States. It was accomplished through a series of protests, social… learn more
Presidents Day Lesson Plans and Resources
What is there to know about Presidents Day? Also referred to as Washington’s Birthday, there is a colorful history behind the holiday that provides for a long weekend every… learn more
Presidents' Day Lessons
Teach your high school students about the constitutional legacy of George Washington, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan this Presidents' Day. These free, ready-to-use lessons will engage… learn more
George Washington: Facts, Revolution, & Presidency
George Washington (1732-99) was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775-83) and served two terms as the first U.S. president, from 1789 to… learn more
American Battlefield: President Lincoln's Biograhy
Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States, was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. His family moved to Indiana when he was seven and he… learn more
Teaching Lincoln’s Assassination and Legacy
Explore the life, leadership, death and legacy of Abraham Lincoln through primary sources and lesson plans developed by our education staff and master teachers. We offer ready-to-use history lesson… learn more
Abraham Lincoln: Man versus Legend
In this lesson, students interrogate their own assumptions about Abraham Lincoln in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of who Lincoln was. They investigate primary source documents… learn more
Great Depression and The New Deal
This resource is maintained by the FDR Presidential Library & Museum. Includes New Deal Art, the Wagner Act, facts & figures about the Great Depression and a Student… learn more
7 of FDR’s Most Inspiring Speeches
Roosevelt, known as 'the great communicator,' used his speeches and fireside chats to calm Americans’ fears—and to rally them around his policies. Over an unprecedented four terms in office,… learn more
National Archives: Presidential Libraries
Presidential Libraries provide a broad range of educational opportunities for students of all ages. Each Presidential Library offers programs designed to introduce students to American history and the… learn more
National Women's History Museum: Digital Classroom Resources
Explore classroom-ready resources created by the Museum and through the "For Educators, by Educators" initiative. There are lesson plans, biographies, posters, primary sources, and more. You can search… learn more
Women's Suffrage & Equal Rights: Free Lesson Plans & Resources
Women's Suffrage and the Transformation of Society Born from the powerful, unwavering momentum of hundreds of women who first convened a women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York,… learn more
PBS LearningMedia: Celebrate Women's History: Rebel Girls
Rebel Girls from History celebrates Women's History Month by focusing on the amazing, mostly forgotten women from the late 19th and early 20th century whose lives, actions, and… learn more
Curipod Lesson Plan
This Curipod Lesson Plan is designed to help educators integrate the digital tool to support instruction. Curipod brings an exciting addition to the available presentation and slideshow digital… learn more
A MILESTONE 250 YEARS IN THE MAKING
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is… learn more
Celebration, Conflict & Contemplation: Digital Thanksgiving Activities & Lesson Plans for Students
Take students on a historical journey with our free pre-K12 Thanksgiving activities and resources for use in distance or hybrid learning classrooms. learn more
Constitution Day Activities and Lesson Plans
The American Federation of Teachers’ Share My Lesson is a free, award-winning community-based site that brings together educators, parents and caregivers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, specialized instructional support… learn more
History U
The Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History U offers free, self-paced courses in American history to high school students. These courses, led by the nation’s top historians, are drawn from… learn more
Indigenous Peoples Lesson Plans and Resources
Share My Lesson is your go-to resource for indigenous peoples and Native American lesson plans with this free PreK-12 collection of resources. November is National Native American Heritage Month, and… learn more