American History
The Great Spanish Conquistadors
In the decades after Columbus discovered America, a number of explorers began looting the continent, bringing with them violence and disease. Explore this age of the Spanish conquistadors. […]
History
American History
Trade, Discovery, and the ‘New World’ of 1492
In the 15th century, Western Europeans were determined to seize their own opportunities of procuring wealth in the East. In order to achieve their goals, they decided to create a new set of rules.
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American History
Explore the World and America before Columbus
America in 1492 was not a new world. Find out who lived here before the Europeans headed west in the 15th century, and what the rest of the world looked like before Christopher Columbus.
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American History
Five Key Themes of the American Identity
American history is filled with turbulence, yet amid all the changes over the years, a few key themes have remained constant. Explore these themes that define the American identity.
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American History
A Walk through the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The National Zoo is home to an astounding 1,800 animals representing 300 species. Here’s what makes it not only a fun place to visit but an important part of research and conservation work in the United States and around the world. […]
American History
Exploring the National Cathedral with Its Chief Stone Mason
Washington’s National Cathedral is the second, largest church building in the United States. We talked with the cathedral’s chief stone mason, Joseph Alonso, about the building’s history—and efforts to recover from a 2011 earthquake. […]
American History
A Tour of D.C.’s Must-See Historic Homes
History has been made in many of Washington, D.C.’s homes, both its grand mansions and its humble houses. You can learn a lot about D.C. history by stepping away from the federal buildings and grand memorials to visit some of its most historic—and glamorous—everyday homes. […]
American History
Yo-Yo Ma on the Kennedy Center as the Nation’s Platform for the Arts
Yo-Yo Ma, one of the world’s greatest living musicians, has maintained a relationship with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and was appointed as an Artistic Advisor at Large. He managed to make some time to talk to us about the Kennedy Center and its importance in the arts. […]
American History
A Brief Tour of the Smithsonian Institution
How do you preserve the memories of an entire nation in a way that will illuminate the past and inspire the future? Meet the Washington, D.C. institution behind it all. […]
![Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C (Image: Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C. [Between 1980 and 2006] Photograph/Library of Congress)](https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Holocaust-Museum-Thumb-1-326x245.jpg)
American History
Why Should You Visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum?
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. is a place not just for the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, but also a place for all people. How does this powerful, sobering testament to man’s inhumanity to man help us consider our responsibilities in protecting the rights of all humankind? […]