Eyewitness Accounts
All of the large primary source document databases include eyewitness accounts as one component of historical research.
Some sites have capitalized on this new technology to synergize eyewitness accounts with contemporary views.
Perspectives for researchers can be found at the Stanford History Education Group.
Hear Buzz Aldrin tell the story of the first moon landing
Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy and on July 20th, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. Buzz Aldrin was the second man to set foot on the moon.
In February 2016, Buzz Aldrin came to the Science Museum in London to tell his story of this historic mission in his own words. He brings a personal perspective to the story that is unique.
- YouTube URL
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HvG6ZlpLrI
September 11 Digital Archive
The September 11 Digital Archive uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the history of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. The Archive contains more than 150,000 items, including first-hand stories and digital images.
9/11 archival resources can center current events.
Moving to America
When they had amassed enough to leave these tenements, they left immediately and never once looked back!Moving to America covers this same era, late 1800's-mid 20th century.
The authors have collected a comprehensive list of eyewitness accounts of migration from Europe to Ellis Island in NYC.
It seeks to convey the huge change from the old country to the new which immigrants bore.
Remembering Pearl Harbor Attack Map
Remembering Pearl Harbor Attack Map begins with the take-off of the Japanese planes from their aircraft carriers until the ships' return to Japan.
The map and timeline pinpoints 21 significan moments throughout the day.
Fast Forward to landing at Normandy---National History Day at Normandy Institute.
Ellis Island Family History Center
This site makes the 25 million arrival records and over 900 ships of passage pictures in the Ellis Island Archives available to everyone.
Search using your students names to add a personal link to the history of that era.
Learn About 9-11
Review the resources at "learn about 9-11". Topics include understanding the attacks as history, debating the government's role, the nature of heroism and evaluation foreign policy.
The Wall of Honor at Ellis Island
The Wall of Honor, a reference to immigrant activities at Ellis Islands, offers an opportunity for students to search for their OWN immigrant roots.
Moreover, from Ellis Island both historical and current communities can be compared via the eyes of the beholders.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum
To learn about where the immigrants lived after they were cleared at Ellis Island, take a look at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
If nothing else, the lack of space will help your understanding about why families worked 16 hours a day.
Timeline in American Jewish History
For Jewish American history look at this American Jewish Archives page, mapping the entire span of years during which Jews have lived in North America.
The History Net
The National Historical Society recommends HistoryNet as a more traditional source than the WallofHonor.
Pathways to Freedom - Following the Footsteps
Travel back to the 1800s and become an eyewitness to history. You become a young slave who must make some important and life-changing decisions.
Tales of Future Past
For a view of the future in past predictions look at Davids Zondy site and thenn change your own forecasts.
Telling Their Stories
Telling Their Stories describes the construction of an oral history.
This method can be especially interesting for students learning from the elderly about their families, because some older people find writing too hard to accomplish.
In Motion
Most studies focus on migration from south to north, but In Motion looks at migration in all geographic directions.
In other words, this site tells a multi-century rather than a moment in time.
Stanford History Group: Reading like A Historian
Good advice about understanding student pre-conceptions.
Each site contains background, video footage or images, and first hand accounts.
Related Topics ...
Other Areas To Check Out...
• Lesson Plans and Projects
• Student Literature Sites (sampler)
• Animation Software & Examples
• The Library of Congress
• Historical Quests
• Exhibits as Primary Sources
