HISTORY Honors 250 Years of Government

Playlist

250 Years of Government

Tracing 250 years of American government—how democracy was built, tested, and strengthened through leadership, law, and civic action.

8 videos

Hawaii Becomes the 50th State

Before becoming the 50th state, Hawaii endured a controversial and long fought battle for statehood.

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Observances & Traditions

The Presidential Turkey Pardon

Presidents have been pardoning turkeys every Thanksgiving for decades, but how did this tradition get started?

Women’s History

Before the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor Saved Baseball

Growing up in the Bronx, Sonia Sotomayor was a Yankees fan. Little did she know that she would play a role in saving the entire sport.

Robert F. Kennedy's Bold Stand Against Organized Crime

On Oct 14, 1964, Robert F. Kennedy gave a landmark speech to police chiefs, taking a strong stand against organized crime.

Why Harry Truman Desegregated the US Military

When President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, it helped other parts of American society to accept desegregation.

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Hawaii Becomes the 50th State

Before becoming the 50th state, Hawaii endured a controversial and long fought battle for statehood.

U.S. Government and Politics

Turning Over the White House

The White House is meant to reflect its occupant, and when a new president comes to town, things have to be changed very quickly.

How a Camping Trip Created our National Parks

When John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt spent three nights in Yosemite, it would soon pave the way for a National Park Service.

Observances & Traditions

The White House Easter Egg Roll

The Easter Egg Roll is an annual White House tradition dating back over a century, but how did presidents start hosting this egg racing ritual?