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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.

The Price of Oil: Lessons From a 1970s Energy Crisis
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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.
Conspiracy Theories and Fake News from JFK to Pizzagate
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Conspiracy Theories and Fake News from JFK to Pizzagate

12 min.
1 class material
Retro Report explores decades of conspiracy theories – from the John F. Kennedy assassination to Pizzagate – and what they can tell us about how we view the world today.
The Cold War on TV: Joseph McCarthy vs. Edward R. Murrow
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The Cold War on TV: Joseph McCarthy vs. Edward R. Murrow

8 min.
3 class materials
In the heat of the Cold War, Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade became a media sensation.
How a 1968 Student Protest Fueled a Chicano Rights Movement
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How a 1968 Student Protest Fueled a Chicano Rights Movement

11 min.
3 class materials
This Emmy-nominated video explores a massive protest by Mexican American high school students that became a milestone in a movement for Chicano rights.
How Watergate and Citizens United Shaped Campaign Finance Law
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How Watergate and Citizens United Shaped Campaign Finance Law

13 min.
1 class material
The Watergate campaign finance scandals led to a landmark law designed to limit the influence of money in politics. Decades later, some say the scandal isn’t what’s illegal, it’s what’s legal.
How Activists Fought for Rights for People With Disabilities, and Made Them the Law
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How Activists Fought for Rights for People With Disabilities, and Made Them the Law

12 min.
1 class material
How activists pushed for the A.D.A., establishing rights for people with disabilities in the United States.
Bush v. Gore: How a Recount Dispute Affects Voting Today
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Bush v. Gore: How a Recount Dispute Affects Voting Today

11 min.
1 class material
The dramatic controversy surrounding the 2000 presidential election led to sweeping voting reforms, but opened the door to a new set of problems that continue to affect elections today.
Why the Supreme Court Endorsed, Then Limited Affirmative Action
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Why the Supreme Court Endorsed, Then Limited Affirmative Action

13 min.
1 class material
Ruling in a case that challenged practices that colleges use to select a diverse student body, the Supreme Court reverses itself.
Overcoming the Berlin Wall: A Cold War Escape Plan, Thwarted
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Overcoming the Berlin Wall: A Cold War Escape Plan, Thwarted

1 class material
One man recounts his attempt to escape East Germany, and what happened next.
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.
Students’ Tiananmen Protest Turned Deadly, Transforming U.S.-China Relations
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Students’ Tiananmen Protest Turned Deadly, Transforming U.S.-China Relations

12 min.
2 class materials
Students in Beijing rallied for free speech and democratic reforms in 1989. The crackdown that followed altered U.S.-China relations.
How the Cold War Arms Race Fueled a Sprint to the Moon
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How the Cold War Arms Race Fueled a Sprint to the Moon

6 min.
3 class materials
After the Soviet Union sent the first human safely into orbit, the U.S. government doubled down on its effort to win the race to the moon.
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Retro Report is an independent, nonprofit news organization.

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.

Every video and lesson is designed to support classroom instruction, giving students the tools to examine evidence and form their own conclusions.

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