The end of the school year in a U.S. History class can be an entertaining time. The Simpsons captured this well in a scene where children exit on the last day and the teacher calls out, “Wait a minute, you didn’t learn how World War II ended. We won!” The students then break into chants of “U.S.A.!”
Avoid having your students miss out on recent history by using these films.
Midterm Elections: How 1994 Midterms Set Off an Era of Divisive Politics
Two years into the presidency of Bill Clinton, the Republican Party used the 1994 elections as a referendum on Clinton, as public opposition mounted against his liberal policy efforts on healthcare, gun laws and gay servicemembers.
Bush v. Gore: How a Recount Dispute Affects Voting Today
The controversy surrounding the 2000 presidential election led to sweeping voting reforms, and opened the door to a new set of problems that continue to affect elections today. The recount of votes in Florida focused attention on the country’s antiquated and disorganized voting system: chads (hanging, dimpled, pregnant or otherwise), confusing ballots, under-votes and over-votes.
9/11 Heroes: Surviving the Biggest Attack on U.S. Soil
Seconds after the World Trade Center towers were attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, by terrorists flying two hijacked planes, New York City mounted the largest rescue effort in its history. More than 2,000 emergency responders were dispatched to lower Manhattan. As the twin towers smoldered, rescue workers rushed in, trying to help the more than 16,000 people still inside.
How the Military Response to 9/11 Led to Two Decades of War in Afghanistan
Within weeks of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to attack Taliban strongholds. By the end of the year, the mission’s main goal was accomplished. But shifting objectives led to the expansion of a war that became the longest in U.S. history, ending in chaos.
The 2008 Financial Crisis Explained: Housing Bubble to Bailout
The 2008 financial crisis grew out of a housing bubble in the early 2000s, when home buying surged and subprime mortgages became widespread. These loans, designed for borrowers with weaker credit, carried higher interest rates and were aggressively promoted by some lenders and brokers, who profited from steering buyers into riskier products.
