North America History

In the early 1800s, thousands of pioneers made a long, perilous westward journey from Missouri to New Mexico. They paved the way for more settlers looking to start a new life in the West. They endured many hardships and made many tough choices. Now the choices are yours. Would you rather get bitten by a poisonous snake or suffer from cholera? Would you take the longer route across mountains with more available water? Or would you take the shorter route across the desert with less water? It's your turn to pick this or that!

What does a college have to do with presidential elections? If it's the electoral college, a lot! Listeners will learn all about the electoral college and how it plays a part in our elections.

Traces the progression of the civil rights movement and its effect on history through biographical sketches of four prominent and influential African Americans: Frederick Douglass, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X.

One thousand years ago, Norse explorer Leif Erikson stepped off a ship and onto an unknown land, becoming the first known European to set foot on North American soil. This discovery led to future Viking expeditions from Greenland to Atlantic Canada, potentially lasting several centuries. Though the 13th-century Icelandic sagas tell tales of these exploits, corroborating archaeological evidence was not discovered until the site of L’Anse aux Meadows was excavated in the year 1961.

America's path to revolution was paved by the great discussions of the Continental Congress, which gathered to address grievances against Great Britain. Adamant that the Colonies remain under British rule, King George III fueled the flames of American independence.

On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 people marched on the United States capital to demand equal economic opportunities and civil rights for Black Americans. And at the end of the event, Martin Luther King Jr. took to the podium and delivered his unforgettable “I Have a Dream” speech.

Meet unforgettable people and animals in the What a Character! Notable Lives from History series as you enjoy 10 real stories within each book! Designed to be fun and engaging for students or anyone with a love for history, these stories include a fascinating focus on important, influential, and visionary people, along with heroic animal escapades! From scientists to famous women to war heroes and more, there is something of interest for everyone in this exciting series!

North Americans have long been fascinated by the Inuit, but this level of interest has been matched by a general lack of knowledge about the group itself. For centuries they have been called Eskimos, despite the facts that there are distinct differences within the group and many of them find the use of the word Eskimo offensive. With that said, the group's lifestyle has long been of interest to outsiders simply based on the fact that it's so different.

One of America's most influential Hispanics - Maria on Sesame Street - delivers a beautifully wrought coming-of-age memoir. Set in the 1970s in the Bronx, this is the story of a girl with a dream. When listeners meet young Sonia, she is a child living amid the squalor of a boisterous home that is filled with noisy relatives and nosy neighbors. Each day she is glued to the TV screen that blots out the painful realities of her existence and also illuminates the possibilities that lie ahead.

George Washington had fought bravely during the Revolutionary War. The people saw him as a hero. They wanted to make him king. But Washington didn’t want that kind of power. Instead, he became the first president of the United States. Follow this war hero as he leads his troops into battle and shares their losses and success.

You may have heard of the Oregon Trail. In the 1840s, more than 5,000 people traveled the Oregon Trail, hoping for a better life. But did you know that science played a big role in this epic journey? Learn how covered wagons were engineered. Find out how food was preserved and diseases were treated along the trail.

What was the Louisiana Purchase and why was it important? How did the Louisiana Purchase change the United States? How did it affect the future for black people and American Indians? When the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, it would lead to historic changes for the young country. Using an inquiry-based approach, listeners will learn the history behind the Louisiana Purchase and how it affected the future of America and its people.

So you want to be a Supreme Court justice? Find out the requirements, the roles and responsibilities, and how you can put yourself on the path to sitting on the highest court in the nation.

When you need to mislead the enemy, who are you going to call? The Ghost Army of course! During World War II, this top secret group of artists and special effects experts worked to deceive German forces on the front lines. Using fake combat vehicles and artillery, dummies dressed as soldiers, and broadcasting the sounds of troops and equipment, the Ghost Army often tricked the Germans into believing U.S. forces were about to attack in one place while the real troops moved against another target.

Elva Zona Heaster died in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, in January 1897. Her death was originally thought to be from natural causes. But when Zona's ghost began visiting her mother, the death began to look a lot more suspicious.

From music to art to poetry, creativity filled the air in the Fillmore District. The creativity and inclusion brought communities together—with no exceptions. Everyone was welcome, and everyone was accepted. In this beautiful story about the historical Fillmore District in San Francisco, author Rachel Werner touches on themes of inclusivity and culture.

In the late 1800s, newsboys—or “newsies”—were a critical part of the newspaper industry. They bought stacks of papers from newspaper publishers and then sold them on city streets for a small profit. But in 1898, William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World raised the cost of 100 papers by 10 cents. The price increase cut into the newsboys’ profits, and by the summer of 1899 their frustration boiled over. They banded together and showed the world how activists of any age can use a strike.

In 1587, a group of about 115 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island near North Carolina. They were there to establish an English colony. Later that year, the colony’s leader left the island to get supplies. His return trip was delayed. When he finally returned in 1590, the colony and its settlers were gone. What happened to the settlers?

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a unanimous ruling that declared racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, because separate could never be equal. Now listeners can step back in time to learn about what led up to this major milestone in the Civil Rights movement, how the landmark case unfolded, and the ways in which one critical day changed America forever.

On April 14, 1865, only days after the Civil War had come to a close, a gunshot rang out in Ford’s Theatre and President Abraham Lincoln slumped forward in his seat. Hours later, the United States had lost its leader. Now listeners can step back in time to learn about what led up to the assassination plot, how the fateful evening unfolded, and the ways in which one tragic day changed America forever.