America Explained

Exploring America’s history and how it impacts today’s society – from the Founding Mothers to what marijuana tells us about States’ rights

Injustice: Roger Taney

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney’s unjust majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sandford shockingly declared Black individuals weren’t citizens, solidifying slavery’s grip and pushing the nation closer to Civil War.

Courage: Elizabeth Eckford

Elizabeth Eckford’s lone walk to Little Rock High School, amid fierce protests, became a symbol of courage in the fight against racial segregation.

Differences Between the Thirteen Colonies

The 13 colonies were all part of the British Empire, but they had many differences, from the colonists’ views on religious freedom to how they educated their children.

The US Constitution

The U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787, established a strong federal government, outlining legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and remains the nation’s supreme governing document.

Building the White House

The White House stands as a symbol of freedom, but the story behind its construction reveals some important contradictions.

Responsibility: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during the Second World War, Dwight D. Eisenhower had a duty to serve for the common good. On the eve of D-Day, the responsibility fell on his shoulders to wait – or to strike.

The Five US Territories

Those who take the U.S. Citizenship Test are expected to know how the five U.S. Territories became a part of the United States and what rights their residents have.

What is Presidents’ Day?

From George Washington’s birthday to a day honoring all U.S. Presidents, learn how Presidents’ Day became a national holiday and its significance today.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 tackled voter suppression in the United States. While it significantly increased the registration of Black voters, it was not without controversy.

Protests at the White House

There is a rich history of protests and demonstrations at the White House and Lafayette Park, from the suffragists’ silent pickets to a peace vigil that has spanned across decades.