Social Sciences: US History

On September 11, 2001, brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet were working on a documentary about a rookie New York City firefighter. Hearing a roar in the sky, Jules turned his camera upward and filmed the only existing image of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center Tower 1. Cameras rolling, the Naudets follow firefighters into what would be known as Ground Zero. A striking tribute to real-life heroes. Contains interviews, 130 minutes.

Describes the life of the sixteenth president of the United States, from the childhood that forged his beliefs to his political campaign for the presidency. Historians examine the difficult choices of his first term, his bouts with depression, and his troubled marriage to Mary Todd. The web of murder and kidnapping plots behind Lincoln's assassination is also examined. 100 minutes.

A&E’s in-depth biography of Benjamin Franklin, who symbolizes the inventiveness and industriousness of his nation. The program explores Franklin's accomplishments in the fields of science, civics and politics, his discovery of electricity, the fuel-efficient Franklin stove, Poor Richard's Almanac, and his contributions to the Continental Congress and early American history. Using expert commentary, archival material, and Franklin's own writings, the program tells the story of one of the most colorful figures in American history. 50 minutes.

These DVDs present stories of the battles of the Civil War. Using historical documentation and reenactments, this series portrays the history of the men who fought in this war. Volume 1, 130 minutes. Volume 2, 116 minutes.

Personal recollections of life during World War II from women of Washington State who were involved in all aspects of the war effort. Bonus materials include recollections of women from overseas during the war, some of whom were children at the time, a slide show of personal photographs from the women interviewed, and a 1943 newsreel.

Volume 1 begins with two of the crises faced by George Washington during his term as America's first president. At a time when any conflict had the potential to dissolve the fragile union, Washington surrounded himself with brilliant men devoted to America, but who were often bitterly divided about how best to serve their common cause. Volume 2 explores the ideological conflict that existed between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, and highlights Washington's farewell address. Volume 3 portrays the bitterly contested presidential election of 1796 and the administration of John Adams. Volume 4 concludes with the reconciliation between Adams and Jefferson, and the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

Every line on the U.S. map tells a story: California's border was bent to include lucrative gold deposits, Oklahoma's panhandle reflects the conflict over where slavery would be legal, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia's shared border trace a meteor impact. The segments reveal the larger story of what makes America unique: a range of natural resources, a history of social experimentation, and a thriving democracy.