Last Updated on September 11, 2020
We’ve posted even more new lessons! Browse below to find great stories in our collections.
Protests
To help teach about the race issues in policing, listen to the story Protests in Baltimore to understand more about how citizens in this city are responding. To go back further into America’s history, listen to how the Governor of Alabama, George Wallace, protested integration of black and white students. To go back even further, to 1791, listen to this former slave who led a revolt against slavery in Haiti that led to independence from France.
Revolutionary War
In teaching about the Revolutionary War, listen to this story about the summer before the Revolution. For those students who think issues of slavery started right before the Civil War, listen to this story about slaves who joined the British army during the Revolutionary War in exchange for their freedom. It didn’t turn out as they were promised. Recent discoveries on the battlefields of Lexington, Massachusetts have altered our understanding of this Revolutionary War battle. At the end of the Revolutionary War, British loyalists were looked upon as traitors. Listen to hear what happened to them at the end of the war. After George Washington led us to victory in the war for American independence, he became the first President. Listen to hear this story about George Washington’s finest act: resigning at the height of his power.
Rome
How would you describe Cleopatra? Listen to this story to find out how Cleopatra’s traditional depiction may not be entirely accurate. Roman Emperor Hadrian used his position to bring Rome back to a peaceful and powerful glory. Listen to hear how he improved his country and compare it to leaders today.
Divisions
Venice, Italy was a gateway between the Islamic world and the West. Listen to hear about its role in trade with the Ottomans during this historic friendship between these two worlds. The Bosnian war started with the ethnic divisions between Muslims, Serbs, and Croats. Listen to hear more about the siege of Sarajevo and what led to this tragic war. After World War II, the city of Berlin, Germany, was divided by the communist regime on the east and a democratic government on the west. Listen to learn about the reunification efforts that have been ongoing since the Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989. There are two major groups that are a part of the Muslim religion: the Sunnis and the Shiites. Listen to learn more about this division, the definition of a caliphate, and the current reasons ISIS declared a new caliphate.
Asia
If you are studying the Mongol Empire, listen to this story about Genghis Khan’s legacy. Ancient Chinese coins were recently donated to a museum in China and declared a “National treasure.” Listen to hear about the history of these Chinese coins. Hear from the author of the successful novel “Wolf Totem,” about Communist China and the author’s criticisms and hopes for his country. Listen to this story about the Japanese Prime Minister’s apology on behalf of the Japanese people for it’s colonial rule and aggression in China before and during World War II. Chinese immigrants were barred from entering the U.S. from 1882 to 1943. Listen to hear how some entered using false names and documents. Confucius was a philosopher who was born more than 2500 years ago in China, and his ideas have become central to China’s identity. Listen to hear about how China is working to broaden its cultural influence.
Americas
Learn about a discovery of a stone block that dates back to the Olmecs in Central America. It may contain the oldest writing in the Americas. Columbus Day became an American holiday 400 after he claimed the land for Spain. Listen to hear about how some countries celebrate Columbus Day as an opportunity to show support for native people and customs. The Aztec Empire established their capital, Tenochitlan, on top of a lake in Mexico. Listen to the story to learn more about Mexico City’s history and water troubles. Learn about Machu Picchu and why it’s one of the most significant archeological sites in the world. In Argentina, a military coup triggered a 7-year dictatorship when as many as 30,000 Argentines either disappeared or were killed. Learn more about the Dirty War in Argentina.
