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Social
Studies
GENERAL
- The
History Channel
Search by key word or by historical era on the main page, or check out
the Exhibits
Archive for a listing of all the major online exhibits. These
include the Wild Wild West, the history of toys, U.S. elections, the
history of magic, Ellis Island, the history of holidays, and many
others. There's also an archive of famous speeches.
- National
Geographic Online
Search this site for articles on a wide variety of topics, including
people, places, cultures, and just about any animal species you can
think of. The Maps
section allows you to view a map of any place in the world and get
information about any country or U.S. state.
- American Memory from
the Library of Congress
This site allows you to search through a wealth of primary source
materials that include documents, sheet music, maps, motion pictures,
photos, prints, and sound recordings. You can browse through the
library’s Collections
clicking on any subjects that interest you. You can also browse by time
or place. The Features
page offers presentations on topics such as elections, immigration,
inaugurations, presidents, Thanksgiving, and women pioneers.
- The
World Factbook
This site gives a detailed profile of each country, including a map and
information about geography, people, government, economy,
communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. The Reference Maps section provides
large, detailed maps of the world's major regions.
- Historic Documents
Provides full texts of a Christopher Columbus letter, the Mayflower
Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation,
the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and later
amendments, the Monroe Doctrine, the Gettysburg Address, and many
others.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
- Ben’s Guide
to U.S. Government for Kids
Contains information about how a bill becomes a law, the U.S. Congress,
Congressional leadership, the President, the Constitution, elections,
campaign finance, the budget, and state government.
- C-SPAN's
Campaign and Election Definitions
A glossary of terms including absentee voting, caucus, grassroots,
incumbent, non-partisan, and many others.
- To
Form a More Perfect Union
This site describes the work of the Continental Congress and the
Constitutional Convention to create a new nation called the United
States of America. Engravings, political cartoons, and other artwork
from the era enhance the text.
AMERICAN HISTORY
- The
Columbus Navigation Homepage
Do you know the difference between dead reckoning and celestial
navigation? This site explains the various methods of navigation used by
Christopher Columbus and other sailors of his era. The site also has
information about Columbus's ships and crew, a Timeline
(1451–1506), and descriptions of his four voyages to the New World
between 1492 and 1504 with detailed maps.
- The
Colony of Roanoke
What happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? Roanoke was settled off the
North Carolina coast in 1587 by a small group of English colonists. Virginia
Dare, the first child of English parents born in the New World, was
the granddaughter of Governor John White. Governor White returned to
England for supplies and by the time he returned to Roanoke three years
later, everyone in the colony had mysteriously disappeared.
- Jamestown
Colony
Years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, a group o English
colonists settled the Jamestown Colony. This Web site offers a brief
history what happened there.
- The
13 American Colonies
This site offers facts about each of the original 13 colonies and
discusses the motivations and economic successes of the colonists.
- Salem
Witch Trials
The famous witch trials actually occurred in the town now known as
Danvers. The women and men accused of witchcraft were NOT witches or
wizards. Many were respectable town citizens who, because of the
hysterics of several teenage girls, found themselves put on trial for
witchcraft. Of the accused, 19 men and women were hanged on Gallows
Hills, one man was put to death by "pressing," and several
more died in prison awaiting their trials.
- Virtual Marching Tour
of the American Revolution
As its name suggests, this site takes you step-by-step through major
battles of the Revolutionary War, specifically the Philadelphia Campaign
of 1777. Start with a brief Background to
the Campaign; then explore battles beginning with the British
landing at Head of Elk, Maryland, and concluding with the infamous
winter at Valley Forge. Along the way, you'll learn about the military
strategies used by American General George Washington and British
General William Howe.
- First Ladies of the
United States
Biographies of every First Lady, from Martha Washington to Michelle
Obama.
- Lewis
and Clark
Based on the Ken Burns film Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps
of Discovery, this site has
loads of information about all aspects of the famous expedition. You can
use the Site
Map to get a complete overview of the site's many sections.
- The
California Gold Rush
This site provides an excellent overview of the Gold Rush. The section
called Way
Back contains brief chapters about many aspects of the rush, written
specifically for kids. Try your hand at mining for gold in the online
game “Strike
It Rich!”
- The American
Civil War
Civil War history is featured at this site that offers details regarding
the battles, people, and places of the war, as well as documents, music,
and a timeline.
- Abraham
Lincoln Online
Just about everything you might want to know about Abe Lincoln is
accessible through this site. Educational
Links include links to biographical information, sites related to
Lincoln's assassination, Lincoln papers at the Library of Congress, and
more. Answers to Frequently
Asked Lincoln Questions are also interesting.
- The
Underground Railroad
This interactive exploration of the Underground Railroad provides lots
of information, photographs, and art to make the experience come alive.
Let Harriet Tubman guide you on a difficult and terrifying journey from
slavery in Maryland to freedom in Canada. The site also has a map called
Routes
to Freedom and a timeline
of slavery in the United States. Faces
of Freedom features brief descriptions of people who worked to
abolish slavery. The site also includes Resources
and Links to further sources of information.
- African
American World
This site created by PBS offers an in-depth look at African American
history in the United States. It includes a timeline with
media clips, highlights African American contributions to arts and
culture, and offers an area just for kids.
- The Age of
Imperialism
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the United
States pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its
political and economic influence around the globe. That pivotal era in
the history of our nation is the subject of this online history. Learn
about the Boxer
Rebellion, the Spanish-American
War, the opening of the Panama Canal
and more.
ANCIENT HISTORY
- Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World comprise the greatest feats of
ancient technology, architecture, engineering, and art as seen by Greek
and Roman authors. Explore the Great Pyramid, the Alexandria Lighthouse,
the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Hanging
Gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus, and the Temple of Artemis. Be
sure to visit the Seven Modern
Wonders as well!
- Ancient
Egypt
Here you'll find information about Egyptian life, geography, gods and
goddesses, mummification, pharaohs, temples, time, trades, and writing.
The site is illustrated with many examples of ancient Egyptian art. For
example, check out the Beit
el-Wali Cast, a relief painting that shows Ramesses II leading his
troops into battle. You can click on various sections of the painting to
get more information.
- Mysteries
of Egypt
Another great site about ancient Egypt. Follow the links to learn why
the pharaohs built the pyramids, why the Egyptians mummified their dead,
who Queen Hatshepsut was, and about King Tutankhamun and the mummy's
curse.
- Ancient
Greece
A fun site created by the British Museum where you can explore the
history, daily life, gods and goddesses, and more about the ancient
Greeks. Each section offers a Story, Explore, and Challenge feature.
- The Roman Empire
A dynamite site with everything you could possibly ever want to know
about the Roman Empire. Read about Caesar, Augustus, Nero, and
Constantine. Cast your vote for the best
and worst emperor! Take a picture tour or follow the interactive map
links. Learn about the great buildings, like the Colosseum, and who
built them. Learn about the Roman Legion, Rome's great army. Find out
more about the Roman gods, their alphabet, and the Latin language.
- The Inca
Empire
Because the Spanish explorers kept such detailed records, we know more
about the Incas than any other early culture of the Andes. This site is
full of information about the Incas history, their rulers, culture, and
the conquest by the Spaniards.
- Mystery
of the Maya
Deep in the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala lie the ruins of ancient
Maya temples and palaces. During the European Dark Ages, the Mayas
charted the heavens, mastered mathematics, and evolved the only true
writing native to the Americas. You can follow the links to learn more
about their civilization, the fabulous buildings they constructed
(without metal tools), the ongoing archaeology, and more.
- The Aztecs
The Aztecs had the most advanced civilization in North America at the
time of their conquest, but they did not originate it. When they invaded
the region, they took over the culture of earlier, advanced peoples such
as the Toltecs and Zapotecs. Lots of information here about the Aztec
culture and people, and their conquest by the Spaniards.
WORLD HISTORY
- The
Vikings
This site offers information about everyday life, Viking ships, Norse
myths, explorations, invasions, and more. Take Thorkel’s Challenge to
test your Viking knowledge.
- Explorers
of the Millennium
Discover the greatest explorers and the places they traveled. Visit the Hall of
Fame to see which explorers are there, and read their biographies.
Take the quiz
to see how much you know.
- Military
History
Everything you ever wanted to know about soldiers and they wars in which
they fought. Ride with Alexander the Great and his herd of elephants
across the Alps; find out what it was like to be a prisoner of war;
learn what weapons were used during the Middle Ages; and learn how women
sometimes disguised themselves as men to fight in battles.
- People's Century
This site is based on a 26-part PBS series exploring many aspects and
events of the twentieth century. The site provides a detailed
description of each episode in the series along with interviews (text
and audio) with people who experienced events firsthand. The very
helpful Thematic
Overview allows you to click on any episode and get a brief
description of its focus, or select a theme (environment, human rights,
military conflict, prejudice, propaganda, etc.) and find out which
episodes deal with that theme.
- The
Great War
This site provides a great deal of information about World War I,
including first-hand quotations, maps, a timeline, biographies,
photographs, and ways the war has shaped the 21st Century.
- The
Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
Describes the events that led to the construction of the wall, how it
was built, and what life was like for those behind the wall.
- 300
Women Who Changed the World
Women who changed the course of history are celebrated and detailed on
this Web site. Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, and Joan of Arc are among
the honorees.
- BBC’s
History for Kids
Written and designed for kids aged 4 to 14, this Web site allows you to
experience history through the eyes of the children who lived through
it. Tons of features include games, stories, timelines, and maps.
GLOBAL ISSUES
- National
Wildlife Federation
Did you know that global warming is a serious threat to wildlife? You
can become part of the solution after checking out this Web site.
- The
Environment—A Global Challenge
Loaded with information, this site explores the many aspects of
ecosystems, energy issues, and natural resources. Be sure to visit Special
Features where you can learn about ways you can help save the
environment. There is also a Simulations
section that allows you to experience what others in the environmental
field deal with every day.
- Recycle City
This is a fun site where you'll learn all about the three R’s: reducing,
reusing, and recycling.
Click here to search for any topic
in history.
Back to Links
for Kids
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