Social Studies Story Briefs

How do we make a "sound judgment" in a culturally diverse society? How do we know the best path to follow in an interdependent world? These stories, based on social-studies, help us to understand that personal and environmental relationships impact our lives and our world.

History tells us that King Charles VI, of France, ultimately "went mad." In one episode, displaying his lack of reasoning, he turned on his own knight...

After the metronome was invented in Amsterdam, it was perfected by Johann Nepomuk Maelzel (1772-1838).

Ferdinand Magellan had an important goal whenhe leftthetown of Sevilleon the 10th of August, 1519: Find awestward routeto theSpice (Maluku) Islands.

Sailing in caravels, which are very uncomfortable, Magellan and his men encounter bad weather. Then they see "St. Elmo's Fire." Maybe something good...

Weeping for joy, Magellan realizes he's found a fabled passage when his ships sailed into the Pacific (from the Atlantic).

After Magellan dies, his remnant crew returns to Spain, completing the world's first circumnavigation. Extremely ill, the men do not realize their car...

This clip recreates the trial of Major Henry Wirz who was the superintendent of a prisoner-of-war camp - located in Andersonville, Georgia - at which ...

North and South Malosmadulu Atolls - part of the Republic of The Maldives in the Indian Ocean - look like Nature's gem stones when seen from space.

One year after his divorce from Evelyn Mase, Mandela married Winnie Madikizela.

Mandela and Sisulu were longtime friends. They also served prison time together on Robben Island.

Thembekile (known as Thembi) was Mandela's older son (with his first wife, Evelyn) and his third-born child.

As John Carlin researched Mandela's background (for his book "Playing the Enemy"), he interviewed Chief Joyi (seen in the center of this picture).

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