Treaty of Paris on webpage

Milestone Documents in American History

A new resource from the National Archives – Milestone Documents – provides access to primary sources that highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history and government.

Students in classroom in Moton High School

Teaching Resources for Black History Month

Find primary sources and educational activities for teaching about African American history during Black History Month or any time.

The Presidential Primary Sources Project. January-March, 2021. A Free, interactive classroom videoconferencing program for grades 4-12.

Free Online Programs on the Presidency Begin January 19th

Sign up for free, standards-aligned, 45-minute interactive videoconferencing programs aimed at students in grades 4-12.

Thanksgiving Day with images of people praying and mourning

Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

In the new teaching activity "Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation," students learn the origins of Thanksgiving, then examine President Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation that created a national holiday.

The Civil War as Photographed by Mathew Brady, a New Teaching Activity

Students can reflect on the lives of soldiers during the Civil War by analyzing photographs taken by renowned photographer Mathew Brady in this new learning activity on DocsTeach.org. The holdings of the National Archives include over 6,000 photographs taken by Brady and his associates during the Civil War era; 16 are included in this activity. In … Continue reading The Civil War as Photographed by Mathew Brady, a New Teaching Activity

To What Extent was Reconstruction a Revolution?

Reconstruction was a tumultuous period in American history, and the question of whether it produced lasting change in regard to civil rights is still debated by scholars. A DocsTeach Activity using primary sources allows your students to enter the debate and develop critical thinking skills by evaluating historical congressional records as historians. Available on DocsTeach.org, … Continue reading To What Extent was Reconstruction a Revolution?