America - still a young country by world standards - began as an experiment in self-government. This collection includes stories of America's people as they follow a path of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
U.S. Presidents have varying backgrounds and political persuasions. Only one was unanimously elected. They can have little or lasting influence. These stories are about individuals with the power to make a difference at home and abroad.
Britain's colonists in America were upset when Parliament passed laws interfering with their way of life. The colonies declared themselves independent and fought a war to end British control as the stories in this collection reveal.
The very land we call "ours" once belonged to others. How did ancient people live on that land? What was important to them? Are we more alike than we are different? Explore this collection to find answers.
Even though ancient people died, or their civilizations were wiped-out by catastrophes, they left behind evidence of how they once lived. This collection reveals some of the wonders which archeologists have uncovered.
High-profile leaders are sometimes criminal targets. Take a look at some of history's most infamous assassinations (and assassination attempts), including the shooting deaths of four American presidents.
Explore the heavens with today's tools like the Hubble and other space-orbiting telescopes.
From ancient to modern times, people have studied "the heavens" and wondered "what's out there?" Technology helps us to take a closer look. Meet the pioneers of space and aviation in this collection of stories.
Sometimes it's nice just to hear a story. Like the "golden age of radio," Awesome Stories features dramatizations of classics, narrated chapters of our own stories, radio interviews and radio plays. This collection benefits ESL, adult literacy and those who just want to close their eyes and listen to a good story!
We may know about a famous person's accomplishments, but what do we know about THEM? What is the human-interest story in THEIR lives? This biography collection features the stories behind the lives of some famous (and not-so-famous) individuals.
Descendants of African-Americans who began their lives in America as kidnapped slaves were then deprived of civil rights by "Jim Crow" laws. Leaders inspired others to overcome racial prejudice and legal obstacles. These stories highlight the ups and downs of black history.
When governments, or other institutions, want to control what people think and say, they censor what people write and speak. The stories in this collection are about various forms of censorship.
Are people "born free?" Do governments "give rights" to citizens or do citizens give-up some rights to have "good government?" These are stories about people seeking and achieving their civil rights.
When Americans disagreed on the power of individual states to control their respective governments and institutions, they fought a war, between themselves, during 1861 to 1865. Other countries have also fought "civil wars." These stories focus on those people, places and events.
"The Classics" come alive with images, videos, maps, documents and ... dramatization. Look, listen and experience these "old" stories in a 21st-century way. These examples are a preview. Many more dramatizations are available for premium subscribers.
"The Classics" come alive with images, videos, maps, documents and ... dramatization. Look, listen and experience these "old" stories in a new, 21st-century way.
Former allies, America and the USSR fought a "Cold War" after the end of WWII. In 1962, their disagreements nearly caused a nuclear catastrophe. This collection explores the far-reaching impact of their disputes and rivalries.
Sometimes the law makes criminals out of innocent people; other times guilty people go free. Then again ... sometimes the punishment fits the crime. Meet some of history's alleged and actual criminals and learn about their crimes.Sometimes the law makes criminals out of innocent people; other times guilty people go free. Then again ... sometimes the punishment fits the crime. Meet some of history's alleged and actual criminals and learn about their crimes.
Whether natural or man-made, disasters simultaneously cause massive destruction and unity of people trying to help those in need. Discover some of the world's worst disasters in this collection.
The opposite of utopia, stories of dystopia are characterized by tragic human consequences of current day practices including climate instability, squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding. Compare utopia.
A collection of stories to support teaching and learning.
Ideas about good and bad behavior in our personal relations, online actions and business practices to moral philosophy examining concepts of right and wrong - all this is in the field of ethics.
Events which change the world usually set in motion a series of other developments which, at first glance, seem unrelated. Uncover some of the world's famous events and see how they led to other surprising consequences.
People who change the world may, or may not, be famous in their own lifetimes. Often it takes years for others to understand forward-thinking contributions. This collection introduces you to some of the world's most-famous people
Great novels are often connected-to (or based-on) real-life events. It's fun to search-for (and uncover) those connections. This Collection features fictional stories with real-life tie-ins.
Since the era of "silent films," moving pictures are an important part of worldwide culture. How did movies get their start? What are the stories behind the movies? Enjoy hundreds of stories in this Collection.
Geography gives us a sense of place. What a country has, in terms of its strategic location(s) and the natural resources found there, can also determine its role in the world. See why geography matters in this collection of stories.
Governments include dictatorships and democracies, parliaments and congresses. More than a system of rules and regulations, they help civilized people to live together peacefully. These stories explore different forms of government.
The Story of Us - from the beginning of time to the present - is usually written by "the victors." True-to-life events, however, must include opposing points of view. This collection features stories about people, places and events which go beyond "the already known and obvious."
What the law requires is not always fair or just or honorable. Politics is often polarizing. Stories in this collection help us to examine the highs and lows of "the law" over the centuries.
Meet some of the world's most-colorful characters in this collection. From Roman times to the Spanish Main, these individuals were famous in their own lifetimes and later, when their stories became the "stuff of legends."
Understanding human anatomy, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses, has changed dramatically from ancient to modern times. This collection features people whose medical breakthroughs helped to save millions of lives.
When knights and castles served kings and queens, a feudal system employed peasants and vassals. Uneducated people used art to learn stories they could not read for themselves. This collection is about life in the Middle Ages.
Music is like a language which everyone understands. It is an art form capable of generating great emotional response. Meet some of the world's famous composers and musical performers in this collection of music-based stories.
For thousands of years before Europeans colonized the "New World," the land belonged to others. Who were those individuals now-known as "First Peoples" or "Native Americans?" How did they live? Where are they now?
What made the 19th century an interesting but tumultuous time? What technological, cultural and social changes influenced life then? Explore those issues in this story collection.
Many of the world's greatest books are non-fiction works. This Collection will help you to explore both famous and not-so-famous titles.
What does it mean to have a "world view?" How does "thinking about the meaning of life" translate into "living life?" Who are the world's great thinkers? Is Aristotle still relevant? This Collection features philosophy-related stories.
Poets convey deep thoughts with few words. How do poets approach their subjects? Why is the rhythm of words important to them? Poets want their words to be heard. Here's a collection to read "out loud."
When people tire of governmental tyranny, they sometimes revolt. Those revolutionary wars - like the French Revolution - profoundly change both a country and its culture. This collection contains stories about such events.
For about 70 years of its long history, Russia was part of the Soviet Union. Explore stories about the country and its people, writers, artists, culture, rulers and worldwide influence before, during and after the USSR.
When the "New World" needed cheap labor for its plantations, slave traders kidnapped Africans from their home villages. A "triangle trade" system forever changed the lives of an entire people. Explore this collection to learn what those slaves endured, and discover stories of other types of slavery such as forced labor camps in the Soviet GULAG.
How do we make a "sound judgment" in a culturally diverse society? How do we know the best path to follow in an interdependent world? These stories, based on social-studies, help us to understand that personal and environmental relationships impact our lives and our world.
Fun to watch and fun to play, sporting activities have always had a key role in public life. These sports-related stories take us back to the ancient Olympics and forward to the days of a "Moneyball" approach to baseball.
Science, technology, engineering and math are key subjects to study in today's rapidly changing, technology-based society. They are also great subjects for interesting stories.
A Collection of Stories and Learning Tasks that celebrate the story behind the story of films.
A Collection of Stories and Learning Tasks developed to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of WWI
Although America has no royal family, for awhile "The Kennedys" came close. These stories reveal how members of this Irish-American family, and their spouses, impacted the U.S. and its culture during the last part of the 20th century.
When horrific things happen, how a person responds can make a difference in the rest of one's life. In this collection, learn how some individuals triumphed in the face of unspeakable tragedies.
Courtroom battles often produce sensational scenes resulting in curious spectators and endless news coverage. From ancient to modern times, trials attract significant attention. This collection explores some of the most-fascinating.
Only 18 when she became Queen of Britain, Victoria gave her name to an age and an empire. In this collection, learn who she was and what happened to people and countries during her lengthy reign.
What does it mean when we say "art is in the eye of the beholder?" How have artists' subjects changed over the centuries? This collection features diverse art forms (from ancient mosaics to modern cubism).
Diverse student stories are gathered here exploring the history, myths, resources and happenings in their regions, states and countries.
Whether it's people, places or events which fuel "the news," the fabric of our lives is impacted by world events. This collection features stories from ancient to modern times.
Even though Queen Victoria's descendants were on the thrones of Europe, those relatives were unable to prevent their countries from plunging into the chaos of war. This collection highlights what happened during the "forgotten war."
With Germany upset about how WWI ended and Japan upset about a lack-of-access to much-needed natural resources, another war sent the world into chaos between 1939-1945. Stories in this collection are about some of those events.