In crisis situations, Americans normally look to political leaders for direction, words of comfort, empathy, and solutions. Often overlooked are the words and deeds of a powerful group of non-elected public figures—first ladies—to confront controversy. Watch panelists Dr. Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, and Nancy Kegan Smith discuss this and more.
Discover Juneteenth, the annual celebration of the end of American chattel slavery on June 19, 1865. Explore its origins, how it has changed over time, and the many local traditions connected with the holiday. Listen to narratives of formerly enslaved persons as they describe how they learned about the end of slavery. And: Learn how […]
Explore photographs from the Photographic History Collection related to LGBTQ interests, from the Smithsonian Institution.
Migration influences the world’s economies, cultures, and politics in major ways. Check out the impacts it has on the world with our Migration module!
In this short and snappy video, former Justice Yvette McGee Brown explains how Ohio’s court system works from the trial courts all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court.
This three-minute video highlights the women's suffrage movement in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and technology that gave women the time and capacity to advocate for the vote. The video was made in conjunction with a temporary Putnam-original exhibit that was mounted in 2020.
Explore the international institutions designed to promote peace and prosperity with our “Global Governance” module.
The Provocation Deck is a tool for you, your friends, and your family to start provoking and stimulating conversations about ourselves, our communities, and our democracy. Use these cards to ask questions and discover opportunities to explore new possibilities during the 4th of July!
Over the years Congress has embraced reforming the institution, but that process often was voter driven. Might the current hyper-partisanship be an equally impactful event that will change the way Congress operates? A bipartisan panel of former and current Members of Congress will discuss these issues. Moderated by Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, panelists […]
The early days of the movement, the changes of the 1960s, the AIDS epidemic and recent setbacks and strides forward for equality.
In this oral history, Mike tells about being a 13-year-old boy camping on a remote island off the coast of North Carolina in 1969. His story involves sea turtles, military commandos, moon-walking astronauts, and glowing sea creatures. Consider recording your own memories of times when your life and your family's lives have intersected with historic […]
This is the companion website to "¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States," the first exhibition from the National Museum of the American Latino. Examine what you know about U.S. history, Latino identity, immigration, historical legacies, and how Latinas and Latinos have shaped the nation. Listen to first-person oral histories, examine 3D objects, dive […]