Exploring American History The events of September 11 have refocused our attention on what it means to be an American. An understanding of our nation's history—the individuals, events, and institutions that have participated in America's achievements and its struggles—helps our children develop their own understanding of what America represents. There are several excellent online sites that offer engaging stories and resources exploring the history of the United States. These sites are particularly appropriate for older elementary students (grades 3 through 6). The Library of Congress's "America's Story" site "puts the story back in history." Under such categories as "Jump Back in Time" and "Meet Amazing Americans," the site offers stories illustrated with primary resources from the Library of Congress's collections, including diary excerpts, photographs, letters, and maps. Representative stories featured on the site include: "The New United States of America Adopted the Bill of Rights, December 15, 1791" "George Washington Recognized Equal Status of Jewish Americans, August 17, 1790" "A New Flag Flew Over the U.S. Capitol, April 12, 1818" "14th Amendment to the Constitution Was Ratified, July 28, 1868" "The Statue of Liberty Arrived in New York Harbor, June 19, 1885" "The First Immigrant Landed on Ellis Island, January 1, 1892" "Congress Granted Citizenship to All Native Americans Born in the U.S., June 2, 1924" "The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941" "Rosa Parks Was Arrested for Civil Disobedience, December 1, 1955" The White House's site for children is designed to introduce young Americans to the White House, the Presidency, and important people and events in American history. Whitehousekids.gov also provides ideas for teachers and parents on using the site in the classroom or in discussions with children at home. The site's features include: Freedom Timeline. These pages offer accounts of events from American history that illustrate themes connected to America's response to terrorism, including intelligence, diplomacy, liberty, philanthropy, and humanitarian relief. Ofelia's American Dream Team. Ofelia, a longhorn cow on President Bush's Texas ranch, introduces children to "heroes who made a significant contribution to America through their dreams, character traits, and choices." Featured individuals include revolutionary patriots, teachers, and authors. Additional features focus on various aspects of the White House and Presidency, including Spotty's White House Tour, Barney's White House ABC's, and India's History Quiz. The Spartacus Encyclopaedia of USA History. This site, based in Britain, focuses on American history from 1840 to 1980, covering such topics as the American Civil War, immigration, the Civil Rights Movement, and political events and issues. Guide Home | Talking to Children about Terrorism and Traumatic Events Exploring American History | Lesson Plans and Activities Note: The views expressed here have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of the American Bar Association, nor do they represent the official position or policies of the ABA Standing Committee on Public Education.