American History Story Briefs

America - still a young country by world standards - began as an experiment in self-government. This collection includes stories of America's people as they follow a path of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Although no known images of George Pollard, Jr., survive, the Nantucket Historical Association has a facsimile of his signature.

George Washington, born in 1732, was a "Founding Father" of America. Learn about his life, who he was as a man and his surprising role model.

Nine days after the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush addresses a joint session of the 107th Congress. He pledges to defend America's fre...

After the fall of Saigon, South Vietnam was taken over by North Vietnam. This angered many Americans who seriously questioned why their country had go...

Geraldine Doyle was born in Inkster, Michigan on the 31st of July, 1924.

Learn the story behind one of the most-famous photos of the U-boat War: The attack of U-569.

After Patriots forced General Howe and his fleet out of Boston, the Brits sailed into New York Harbor in June of 1776. It was the start of a planned ...

Long before anyone could actually build "The Golden Gate Bridge,'' the narrow passage of deep and turbulent water connecting the Pacific to the San Fr...

John Sutter grew to rue the day he found gold at Sutter's Mill. Where were the gold fields located which drew so many settlers to California?

A total solar eclipse will cross the continental US on August 21, 2017. What causes this natural phenomenon?

On the evening of October 8, 1871 a spark set Chicago ablaze. Learn what made it such an at risk city.

The Great Depression forced Americans to rethink how, and where, they lived. Some people, in Pie Town, built dugout homes to shelter their families.

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