American Experiment

HOMEFRONT: SOUTH DAKOTA STORIES is a World War II oral history collection that follows the theme of “What was it like for you?” WWII Veterans shared their stories with us, and we are honored to share them with you.

In this lesson plan, your students will learn about how the Japanese military sent thousands of large balloons toward the United States during WWII. They used air currents to move the balloons from Japan to the shores of the United States. The balloons carried bombs and fire-starting devices. Your students will learn about one such device found in rural South Dakota.

Jeremiah Denton battled the North Vietnamese for eight long years as a prisoner in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison. Family, friends, and fellow POWs help tell the story of this American hero who returned from Vietnam and became a U.S. Senator from Alabama.

Most people think the Revolution was fought only in the original 13 colonies. But while Washington battled in the North, Florida remained a British stronghold and became the site of its own fierce conflicts.

Exploring Civic Engagement Among Students The Young Vote follows a diverse group of students and activists during the 2020 election. It aims to understand young people's perceptions of voting and civic engagement. This documentary sheds light on how the younger generation views their role in democracy. The Importance of Voting Voting is a fundamental right. It allows individuals to express their opinions and influence government decisions. For many young people, this right i

Filmed across eleven states, Courtmaker explores the life of the greatest judge in American history, John Marshall, who as the fourth Chief Justice, built the Supreme Court into the third pillar of American government. Through in-depth interviews with scholars, judges and Supreme Court justices, the film sheds light on our democracy's foundational legal philosophies.

At a critical juncture in our nation’s history, Public Defender , an award-winning documentary film, examines the fault lines of American democracy through the lens of Heather Shaner, a seasoned and fiercely compassionate public defender in Washington, DC.

Triumphs and tragedies of Thomas Paine’s life unfold in To Begin the World Over Again , a one-man play filmed live in Hollywood. Paine, provocative writer and flawed politician, ignited revolutions yet died ignored. His radical ideas on democracy, equality, and morality still challenge us: “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”