History Tips
Read these 10 History Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Kids Online tips and hundreds of other topics.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the most popular first ladies in United States history. Her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the only president to be elected to more than two terms in a row. Her uncle, Theordore Roosevelt, had also been a president. She changed the role of the first lady by getting very involved in politics. Her husband was in a wheelchair due to polio, and could not visit many places he needed to go, so he often sent her. After he died, she served in the new United Nations, and helped to create some very important international documents. Read these sites to learn more:
TV Clips Watch Eleanor in this video taken from a television program in which she interview John Kennedy about the Peace Corps. Have a parent preview it first.
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt A short biography of the first lady.
The Education of Eleanor Roosevelt See one of her report cards, find out about extracurricular activies, look at her homework and take a quiz. You can also get this information on her husband here.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was president during a very hard time. The south wanted to leave our country and start their own country. Many people wanted the slaves to be freed, but others did not. The country was in danger of falling apart, and it was his job to try to save it. Here are some sites to help you learn more about this favorite American president.
Abraham Lincoln Online Visit famous Lincoln landmarks, such as the place he was born, and the place where he gave his famous Gettysburg address.
Abraham Lincoln Quiz This quiz was written by first graders to help you learn about the president.
The Life of Abraham Lincoln Another site by first graders who made a timeline of Lincoln's life illustrated with their drawings. You can also submit your pictures and writings to be published there.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest leaders in United States history, he was a writer, a publisher, an inventor, a scientist and a statesman. He helped to invent the United States. To learn more, try these sites:
Ben's Guide This site for kids teaches you some of the most interesting facts about Franklin's work. Did you know he was the very first public librarian in the United States?
Franklin Institute This site has a list of exciting activities related to Benjamin Franklin. If you explore the rest of the site-with a parent-you will find an online science museum.
CIA Kids Page Benjamin Franklin-a spy! Read all about it here!
George Washington
George Washington was our first president, but he was very famous and very important long before that. He was a leader in the Revolutionary War and was so loved that it was believed that if he wouldn't be the president, the country wouldn't survive. The leaders of our country even offered to let him be the king, but he refused, believing that would be bad for the country. Here are some other sites to help you learn about George Washington:
CIA Kids Page Did you know that George Washington was a spy for the British before we started fighting for our independence? Learn more on this site from the CIA!
Mudpie and George Do you like learning your history from comic strips? Try these six strips to learn about the life of our first president.
Historic Valley Forge The children's section has a word search, captioning contest, puzzles and more. If your parents give you permission, you can also go into the adult section to learn more about Washington's life. Surf with a parent.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a president of the United States, but he is best known for being the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Here are some sites to help you learn more:
Discovery School This is a fairly detailed set of pages about Jefferson from the Discovery Channel. The reading level is for older children.
Architect Thomas Jefferson Jefferson had many talents. He knew a lot about architecture and designed many buildings. This site talks about this surprising talent.
Thomas Jefferson Online This site is by PBS and includes activities for classes and kids and has information on making the PBS video. Surf with a parent-it's not just for kids.
Betsy Ross
Many people believe Betsy Ross made the first flag. Some people don't think this is true, however. It's one of history's mysteries. Check out these sites to decide for yourself. Maybe someday you'll be the one to find out the truth.
The Betsy Ross Homepage: Take a tour of her home, learn more about the flag, learn to make a star and find out why some people think she really did sew that first flag.
Birth of the Stars and Stripes This is an article that tells both sides of the story. Read it and decide for yourself.
Mormon Pioneers
In the 1800s, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also called Mormons, were forced to leave their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois to avoid being murdered by the government. They started a long, dangerous and challenging journey across the country, sometimes pulling handcarts with their few possessions. These sites can help you learn more about this amazing event in United States history.
Pioneer General References: What did pioneer children do for fun? How do you build a handcart? What was bone mail? This site has lots of information on the everyday lives of pioneers. Surf with a parent.
Trail of Hope This site is based on the PBS documentary about the pioneers. It shares stories from the lives of pioneers, including the lives of children. This isn't just for kids, so surf with a parent.
Hawaii
People of many cultures came together to create Hawaii. It's history tells many amazing stories. Visit these sites to learn more.
Wayfinding in the Middle of the Pacific How did ancient Hawaiians navigate their canoes? This site was created by children for Thinkquest junior.
Sugar Roots The farming of sugar cane changed Hawaii, as immigrants came from many countries to work the fields. This Thinkquest site studies the immigrants from China, Japan and the Phillipines.
Hawaii: Stolen Star Did the United States steal Hawaii illegally? Will Hawaiians take their state back? Read the amazing story.
Japan
Japan is a very old country and its history is fascinating. Check out these sites for information:
KidsWeb This site uses a question and answer format to help you learn about Japan's history. Learn how Japan became known for rice-growing, when the ninjas existed and more. There are also links to learn about modern Japan.
Japanese Castles The history of Japanese castles. The vocabulary is rather hard on this page, but older children should be able to understand it. Surf with a parent.
Welcome to Edo A virtual tour of Tokyo life in the days of the Shogun. This is a nicely done site with easy reading. Surf with a parent.
Hiroshima: A Survivor's Story Imagine being fifteen and having your city bombed. This is the true story of one teenager in Japan. From Scholastic. This page may be too scary for younger readers. Surf with a parent.
Ancient Egypt
Did you ever wish you could travel back in time to ancient Egypt? Do you dream about meeting a real pharoah, or peeking inside a pyramid? These sites can help you learn more about one of the most interesting times in history:
Ancient Egypt for Children Lucy Charlotte Acland Johnson is a teenager who has been writing this professional column for several years. She knows everything there is to know about Egypt!
Scale Model of the Pyramid Would you like to build a model of the pyramid that is mathematically correct? You might not have room for a full-sized model, so learn how to make it smaller.
Brianna's Egyptian Page This is another page done by a kid. Brianna is twelve and her page is very impressive!
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