Learning for Kids

History

Our past is an important part of our lives. There are so many amazing facts that we should know. Pop quiz: What year did Columbus arrive in the Americas? Answer: 1492. Now you're ready for Jeopardy!

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NetSites on History of our Country

American Memory - Visit the digital library and learn all about American history and culture.

American Treasures of the Library of Congress - A guide to some of the "treasures" in the Library of Congress. Check out Thomas Jefferson's handwritten draft of the Declaration of Independence.

America's Story - Discover the stories of America’s past…Jump back in time, meet amazing Americans, explore the states and more.

Archives of American Art - Spanning the centuries since the founding of America to the present day, the collections of the Archives of American Art comprise the largest source in the world of primary source documentation on the visual arts in America. You can access information through AAA's online catalog, finding aids and guides, and a committed reference staff. There is also a doing research section for additional assistance.

Creating French Culture - This Library of Congress page gives an overview of French history through the eyes of the art and culture of the times.

Edison National Historic Site - Edison's improvements to the telegraph and the telephone placed him on the cutting edge of communication technology at the turn of the Twentieth Century. If Edison were living today, he would be interested in both the Internet and the World Wide Net, a technology that can now make the legacy of the world's most famous inventor available to you.

Enactment of a Law - Library of Congress site about the steps to enact a law in the U.S. Government.

Encyclopedia Smithsonian - Encyclopedia Smithsonian features answers to frequently asked questions about the Smithsonian and links to Smithsonian resources on subjects from Art to Zoology.

First Ladies of the United States - They came from different social and economic backgrounds, from many different geographical regions, and with diverse education preparation. Each First Lady served our country well and each left her own mark. Visit this site to learn more about them.

Kids in the House - Explore the role the Office of the Clerk plays in the U.S. House of Representatives. Learn about the legislative process and its effect on you.

Learn NPS - Here you'll find curriculum, fun and games, a guide to park Junior Ranger programs and a host of other fun and educational media created by the National Park Service and our partners.

Learning Page - Library of Congress - Learn about United States history and culture. View unique and rare documents, photographs, films, and audio recordings.

Links to the Past - Explore America's cultural resources - buildings, landscapes, archeological sites, ethnographic resources, objects and documents, structures and districts.

National Gallery of Art - Choose a tour by school or medium and explore the National Gallery's collections of painting, sculpture, and graphic arts.

National Museum of American History - Learn interesting historical facts by clicking on the alphabetical list.

Not Just for Kids - In the Hands On History Room at the Museum, you can climb on a high wheel bicycle and pedal, send a message by telegraph, and get your hands on history in many other ways.

Our World - The Library of Congress web site shares its collections, stories, online collections and more for students and teachers.

Portrait for Kids - Follow the clues and help solve a make-believe mystery! Using your noggin and a special spyglass tool, you’ll uncover hidden layers of the painting and learn fascinating facts about the portrait along the way. Let the sleuthing begin!

Presidents of the United States - The biographies of the presidents’ give us a clear look into the highs and lows of American history. Learn more about the presidents and the change we faced in the past and challenges yet to come.

The Library of Congress Exhibitions - View the collections of the Library of Congress. From designs of famous architects to the history of the Wizard of Oz, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Music of Sound - Neanderthal Jam - You could learn a lot from old musical instruments. We're not talking about a pawnshop full of rusted saxophones and busted guitars, but about partly fossilized bones with holes that look suspiciously like wind instruments.

The Music Room - The Museum also explores history through dozens of musical performances every year.

Today In History - The Library of Congress began a day-by-day listing of historical events. Search the archive for the day of your choice.

Triumph of the Baroque - Explore Baroque architecture in Europe from 1600-1750 with this National Gallery of Art exhibit. See what churches, chapels, palaces, and private homes of the period looked like.

Truman Library Kids Page - Learn all about Harry Truman, former president of the United States and all sorts of other "Truman" trivia.

U.S. House of Representatives - Great site for Government homework projects. Contains lots of documents related to the legislative process.

Who Said? - Through their words, many American men and women have helped to shape the ideas that have changed our nation. To learn more about these famous people, click on the question mark next to their pictures. This will take you to a park website with information about their lives and the times in which they lived.

Organization Sites

Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century - How many of the 20th century's greatest engineering achievements will you use today? A car? Computer? Telephone? Explore our list of the top 20 achievements, and learn how engineering shaped a century and changed the world.

History of Dentistry - Dentistry has evolved from a simple toothpick to today's state-of-the-art technology. You can choose an era from Ancient Origins to the 21st Century.

I Hear America Singing - Have you ever thought about how American songs developed? This PBS site has a time line covering the history of American concert song as well as information on the writers, composers, artists, and movements that left their mark.

Kansas State Historical Society for Kids - Things. Incredible stuff from the museum Kansas Kaleidoscope. A magazine for kids Youth Volunteers.

KidSpace - Internet Public Library - A place where you can find all sorts of information on the history, government, presidents, people, and states of the United States.

Knowing Poe - Through the activities on this site, you can introduce learners (or, be introduced, yourself) to the literature, life, and times of one of America's foremost writers, Edgar Allan Poe.

Massachusetts - Raid on Deerfield: The Many Stories of 1704 - On February 29, 1704, the sun rose on a chaotic scene in the English settlement of Deerfield, Massachusetts. This website presents five different perspectives on this one event: Wobanikiak, Wendat, Kanienkahaka, French and English.

Take Your Kids To Vote - This site has great activities for future voters of all ages. Here are some ideas of things to do that are FUN! ... and also help to make voting a family tradition.

The Face of Russia - Learn about Russian history and culture through an interactive time line of Russian art. Site from PBS Online includes paintings, photographs, and Real Audio clips.

The Textile Museum - Learn about the history, collections, and purpose of textile arts.

Education Sites

Glossary for Medieval Art and Architecture - get definitions and illustrations of words like sarcophagus, atrium, and jamb. Hear their pronunciations too!

Timeline of US History - Provides abbreviated versions of histories of the various countries. Its purpose is provide a collection of links to sites that introduce the diversity of educational and research resources available on the web not ordinarily consulted by historians and history students.

Massachusetts - American Centuries- Explore American history with this collection of historic artifacts and documents from New England.

Commercial Sites

American History - Site that contain many links to General, American, and Ancient History websites.

Civilizations - This interactive site examines key events in the development of any given ideology or religion, including Communism and its diffusion across the world.

Decopix - Check out tons of photos that show examples of art deco architecture and print. Includes an introduction to the movement and an FAQ.

History of Cinematography - The development of motion pictures happened over a long time period. This neat site has info on cinematography (and what came before it) from 900 BC to the present day!

Lewis & Clark - Learn about Lewis & Clark's adventures through the interactive journal, play games, see photos and maps, and much more.

Netstate.com - This fun site has more than the symbols, flags, seals, emblems, and famous people of each state. Find interesting trivia, comparisons, and the 50 state designs for U.S. quarters too!

Sinai - Explore this historic desert land that is Egypt's border with Israel. Meet the Bedouin inhabitants, tour amazing sites, dive its coral reefs, and discover why it is considered a holy and sacred land for so many.

Women in History - Encyclopedia Britannic introduces you to important ladies in the U.S. from 1600 to modern times, complete with audio clips and photos.