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Brande Johnson, Social Studies and Economics Teacher

“I don’t ever have to worry about any kind of bias. They produce excellent documentaries that give the facts, and it allows my students to form their own opinions.”

Brande Johnson, Social Studies and Economics Teacher

Hundreds of short docs produced by award-winning journalists.

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Our short documentaries help students connect past and present. They’re perfect for sparking discussion, building media literacy skills, and making history accessible.

IN PURSUIT: LESSONS OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP

IN PURSUIT: LESSONS OF AMERICAN LEADERSHIP

55 min.
History comes alive with leadership lessons from presidents and first ladies for America’s 250th.
The 1969 Occupation of Alcatraz Was a Catalyst for Indigenous Activism
Has Lesson Plan

The 1969 Occupation of Alcatraz Was a Catalyst for Indigenous Activism

13 min.
2 class materials
American Indian tribes have long used activism in their struggle for justice and the preservation of their lands and culture.
The Price of Oil: Lessons From a 1970s Energy Crisis
Has Lesson Plan

The Price of Oil: Lessons From a 1970s Energy Crisis

10 min.
2 class materials
When oil shortages disrupted daily life in the 1970s, Americans were forced to rethink consumption, and the crisis set in motion decisions that continue to shape energy policy today.
The 2008 Financial Crisis Explained: Housing Bubble to Bailout
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The 2008 Financial Crisis Explained: Housing Bubble to Bailout

10 min.
2 class materials
Risky loans, regulatory gaps, and Wall Street practices fueled the 2008 financial crisis and led to the Great Recession.
She Derailed the Fight for Equal Rights for Women
Has Lesson Plan

She Derailed the Fight for Equal Rights for Women

13 min.
2 class materials
Even in the #MeToo era, many people don’t know that the Equal Rights Amendment never passed…because of one woman. Her name is Phyllis Schlafly.
First Ladies: The Power of an Undefined Role
Has Lesson Plan

First Ladies: The Power of an Undefined Role

2 min.
1 class material
A look at how first ladies have established traditions, responded to crises, tested the limits of their roles and used their influence to shape public life.
Eleanor Roosevelt: From First Lady to Human Rights Leader
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Eleanor Roosevelt: From First Lady to Human Rights Leader

5 min.
1 class material
At the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt helped turn human rights principles into a global standard.
The Fight to Save the White House from Demolition
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The Fight to Save the White House from Demolition

5 min.
1 class material
Bess Truman rarely sought the spotlight, but she fought to preserve the White House.
How Tinker v. Des Moines Established Students’ Free Speech Rights
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How Tinker v. Des Moines Established Students’ Free Speech Rights

7 min.
3 class materials
A silent protest led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling that defined students’ free speech rights.
Daisy: Political Ads That Shaped the Battle for the White House
Has Lesson Plan

Daisy: Political Ads That Shaped the Battle for the White House

4 min.
2 class materials
Perhaps the most famous political ad of all time, this early television spot ran on air just once, but generated enough media coverage to become a real factor in the 1964 presidential election.
What Japan’s Atom Bomb Survivors Have Taught Us About the Dangers of Nuclear War
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What Japan’s Atom Bomb Survivors Have Taught Us About the Dangers of Nuclear War

10 min.
3 class materials
Japanese survivors recall the day the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and warn of future risks.
Dictators and Civil Wars: The Cold War in Latin America
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Dictators and Civil Wars: The Cold War in Latin America

6 min.
2 class materials
Driven by fears of the rise of communism, the United States adopted a policy of containment, intervening in the politics of countries across the globe. In Latin America, the consequences of those efforts are still unfolding.
How a Cold War Airlift Saved Berlin With Food, Medicine and Chocolate
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How a Cold War Airlift Saved Berlin With Food, Medicine and Chocolate

8 min.
4 class materials
A Soviet blockade around Berlin cut the divided city off from the West. But in 1948 U.S. and British pilots began to fly food, fuel and medicine to the Allied sectors.
Agent Orange: Last Chapter of the Vietnam War
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Agent Orange: Last Chapter of the Vietnam War

9 min.
3 class materials
The use of the defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War continues to cast a dark shadow over both American veterans and Vietnamese citizens.
Putin’s Nuclear Threats Evoke Cold War Tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis
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Putin’s Nuclear Threats Evoke Cold War Tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis

11 min.
4 class materials
Russia’s recent nuclear threats have revived Cold War animosity with roots in the Cuban missile crisis. During ​a standoff in 1962, a tense confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union nearly resulted in a nuclear war.
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Our work brings a greater understanding of current events through the lens of history, fights misinformation and encourages inquiry. We create short documentaries and work with educators to construct classroom resources that help students connect the past with the present. Our materials are developed using primary sources and a rigorous fact-checking process so teachers can evaluate and use them with confidence.

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