Issued by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln almost three years into the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation played a crucial role in ending slavery across the United States and defining the principles that still govern the country...
Known as the Father of American Literature, Mark Twain used satire and a sharp wit to explore and reveal the realities of US society in the 19th century. In doing so he developed an all-new “American style” of...
Aaron Burr’s ambition led him from political prominence to infamy. Fueled by hubris, he dueled Hamilton and plotted treason, showcasing the perils of unchecked...
For Madeleine L’Engle, the starry night sky sparked profound questions about life, the universe, and her place in it. Inspired by science and spirituality, her extraordinary works of fiction have captured the hearts and minds of...
Enduring slavery and loss, Matilda Hughes’s relentless quest to reunite and rebuild her family showcases the indomitable spirit of love amidst America’s darkest...
Thomas Jefferson’s prudence in orchestrating the Louisiana Purchase, despite constitutional concerns, doubled the size of the U.S., securing its position on the global...
The U.S. Constitution divides power between the federal government and states, granting specific national powers and reserving others to states via the 10th Amendment, with federal laws generally overriding state...
The White House is more than just a residence for the President. Explore the building’s remarkable history and learn how it became a symbol of the United...
In the 1930s, Jewish butchers the Schechter brothers showed integrity when they fought what they felt were unjust regulations, in order to uphold their faith and customer...
Gary Soto, a Mexican-American author and poet, captures the essence of youth and Chicano experiences in his stories, blending humor and the magic of everyday...
Sitting at the pinnacle of the judicial branch of government, the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Its landmark rulings have had an enduring impact on American life and...
The first woman to graduate from a U.S. medical college, Elizabeth Blackwell broke through gender barriers to make history. Her remarkable story of courage and perseverance serves as a testament to the strength of the human...
The Thirteen Colonies were built by a diverse workforce including skilled laborers, indentured servants, enslaved people, and criminals, in stark contrast to modern labor...
As the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Alice Walker helped to bring the Black experience to readers across the globe. A true trailblazer, her work continues to entertain and...
Clara Barton’s unwavering responsibility led her from establishing free schools to founding the American Red Cross, exemplifying how individual dedication can fortify a...
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...
Author of groundbreaking novels like “Esperanza Rising” and “Echo,” Pam Muñoz Ryan has made literature more representative by expertly mining her own rich Mexican American...
