By the beginning of 1865, the Confederacy was dying. Abraham Lincoln, with victory within his grasp, looked forward to a second presidential term and a new challenge – healing the nation he had struggled to reunite. In December 1865, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was formally ratified.

During the sixteenth century, the native peoples of the Plains would encounter Spanish explorers seeking gold and treasure, and later French and British explorers and traders whose technology changed everyday life forever. Desire to control trade and territory in the Central Plains grew, while the colonies that became the beginnings of America were taking hold on the east coast.

In the mid-19th century, the abolitionist movement in the United States sought the immediate emancipation of all enslaved people. These passionate antislavery activists—men and women, black and white, northerners and southerners, poor and wealthy—led the struggle that forever changed the nation. The media assets in this collection feature historical reenactments and expert interviews that tell the story of some of the people and events that shaped this movement.

Explore this documentary film clip and engage students in historical thinking using the Library of Congress Primary Source Analysis Tool. In this inquiry-based resource for Becoming Frederick Douglass, students view a clip examining the impact of Garrison and his abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, on Frederick Douglass. Students analyze abolitionist and pro-slavery primary sources and consider discussion prompts for more dialogue and deeper reflection.

Examining why slavery was so essential to the U.S. economy in the the 19th century and how economics depended on slavery. Video from, American Experience: "Abolitionists."

As emissions of heat-trapping bases accumulate in our atmosphere, Earth's polar regions are warming more quickly than at lower latitudes. The rapid environmental changes that result from this warming can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of rural Alaskans: unpredictable weather and changes in the seasons have made harvesting food more difficult, hazardous, and stressful. The risk of physical injury has also increased, as poor ice, extreme weather, and coastal erosion bring new travel hazards. Increasingly difficult harvest conditions for fish, shellfish, berries, caribou, and sea mammals have also increased concerns about food security. Additionally, declines in snow pack, the threat of drought, changes in lake and river conditions, and damage and disruptions to community water systems have prompted concerns of water security. The climate-related challenge faced by Alaska’s tribal health system is to recognize new health stressors and community vulnerabilities, and then find healthy adaptation strategies in an increasingly uncertain future.

In 2012, water managers in Fredericktown, Missouri, saw their city's main source of water dwindle. They used the EPA’s Climate Ready Water Utilities program to consider options and develop plans to protect their water source.

Learn about the major African-American migrations and how those movements changed the course of American history in this interactive resource from The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross.

After catastrophic flooding in New Orleans destroyed two hospitals, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System is planning a replacement facility that will incorporate resilience against future extreme events.

Widespread damage from flooding at the Texas Medical Center in Houston revealed the complex's vulnerabilities. Implementing a long-term hazard mitigation plan is reducing future risks.

As reduced sea ice conditions bring increased shipping and development opportunities to the Arctic, Alaska Native Village Corporations are at the table with resource developers, representing the interests of their people and land.

Tribal communities in southeastern Alaska are partnering with federal and state agencies to investigate increasing harmful algal blooms—events that pose human health risks to subsistence harvesters.

In Florida's humid climate, strawberry growers are in a constant battle with two kinds of fruit rot. Using a decision support system, they can save money by spraying fields only when the plant diseases are a threat.

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton fought at General George Washington’s side in the American Revolution, aided in the passage of the Constitution, and helped save the United States from financial ruin. A great leader, writer, soldier, and lawyer, Hamilton did not let his poor birthright stop him from achieving greatness. Through a short video and an analysis of two primary sources, students will examine the life of this important military and political leader.

Educators can use America From Scratch (and its discussion guides) to engage the most important issues of the day, and to encourage critical thinking and promote civic engagement with their students.

Following a victory at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, General Washington and his army moved north to Princeton, New Jersey on January 3, 1777, where they surprised the British forces. This resource provides a background on the battle and how it changed the course of the American Revolution.

The Battle of Trenton was a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. At that time, the British had a chain of towns firmly under their control. This, coupled with the fact that many of Washington's soldiers' enlistments were about to expire on New Year's Day, forced Washington to make a bold plan. The Americans crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776 and attack Trenton the following day. Over a ten-hour period, 2,400 soldiers, 18 cannon and 100 horses crossed the frigid waters on ferries from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. This resource provides a background on the Battle and how it changed the course of the American Revolution.

All-in-one virtual map to show the events, people, and themes of the American revolution. Students can explore using the map or timeline. Or they can learn about themes of the war including: Slavery, Loyalist vs Patriots, Native American perspectives, or foreign aid.

In this ELA lesson, students will use their analytical skills to determine the causes of the rise and fall of the Shaker religious community. After watching a series of documentary clips, students examine and document the group's origins, successes, hardships, and eventual decline.