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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.

9/11 Heroes: Surviving the Biggest Attack on U.S. Soil
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9/11 Heroes: Surviving the Biggest Attack on U.S. Soil

11 min.
3 class materials
First responders who survived 9/11 don’t want the day to be forgotten.
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.
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.
The 1969 Occupation of Alcatraz Was a Catalyst for Indigenous Activism
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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.
What the World War II-Era Bracero Program Reveals About U.S. Immigration Debates
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What the World War II-Era Bracero Program Reveals About U.S. Immigration Debates

9 min.
1 class material
A conflict between labor needs and immigration laws has long shaped families, fears and today’s debates.
An Enlightened Idea: The Constitution Drew on Centuries-Old Principles
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An Enlightened Idea: The Constitution Drew on Centuries-Old Principles

5 min.
2 class materials
The framers drew on Enlightenment thought and experience to design a new government.
How the Supreme Court Ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges Legalized Same-Sex Marriage
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How the Supreme Court Ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges Legalized Same-Sex Marriage

10 min.
2 class materials
This story revisits the landmark Supreme Court decision from the perspective of the two named participants, Jim Obergefell and Richard Hodges.
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
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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.
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.
2 class materials
How activists pushed for the A.D.A., establishing rights for people with disabilities in the United States.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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