American History for Kids

Sixth grader Hillary Harwell explores the history of trolley cars, and why they were such an important part of building the America we live in today.

Twelve-year-old Rachael Boeche explains why our rivers, and the dams we build to control them, are so important to America.

Young cowhand Newt Miller gives us his first hand account of what it was like growing up in the wild West and driving large herds of cattle from his father's ranch in Texas to the railroads up north.

Twelve-year-old Patrick Murphy recalls his first hand account of what it was like helping to build the first railroad to cross America that linked the nation with twin rails of steel.

It only lasted for a year and a half, but in that time twelve-year-old Jack Keetley recalls what it was like being one of those daring young Pony Express riders who carried the mail from Missouri to California at the speed of a racing horse.

Fifteen-year-old Elisha Morris gives his first hand account of his experiences as one of the youngest soldiers to serve in America's Civil War.

It was 1870 and Ginny Williams was twelve years old when she climbed aboard a Mississippi River steamboat to participate in one of the most famous races in American history.

Eleven-year-old Katie Donaldson gives her first hand account of being a part of America's Great Migration west, when she and her family headed into the wilderness along the Oregon Trail to find a better life for themselves.

Fourteen-year-old George Shannon gives his first hand account of being the youngest member of the Corps Of Discovery, the most ambitious scientific expedition ever mounted in America at the time.

Young Rachel Boeche gives us her first hand account of what it was like growing up on a large Southern plantation.

Oliver Mayhew, one of the youngest soldiers ever to fight in America's war for independence, gives his first hand account of what it was like growing up as a young revolutionary.

In this informative documentary twelve-year-old Oliver Mayhew gives his first hand account of what it was like growing up in America's Colonial period.