The American Revolution was one of the most profound moments in history, a war for independence that turned the world on its head and influenced millions around the globe. From its neighbors on the green mountains of Vermont to the swamps of South Carolina and across the Atlantic to the Great Lakes and Gibraltar, America's untold story is an essential part of the American experience and continues to impact people today.
Whether you're looking for an engaging history documentary to watch with your kids, or want to learn more about America's untold story before you start school, there are a variety of different options available. From classics like Ken Burns' "The Civil War" to modern works like Ava DuVernay and Marlon Riggs', here are some of the best American history documentaries to watch now.
Ken Burns's 1990 film "The Civil War" remains to this day, the most popular history documentary aired on PBS. Garnering scores of awards, it has since shaped generations of Americans' perceptions about slavery and the Civil War, and remains a staple in history classes around the country.
But while "The Civil War" is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the events of the Civil War, it isn't without its flaws. While it does a great job of providing historical context and making the war seem inescapable, it also plays up a number of myths about the Civil War that may not be true.
Its most prominent example of this is its use of a Confederate apologist, Henry Foote, to provide the Civil War's final word in each episode. While Foote has a well-known anti-slavery agenda, and his quotes aren't entirely accurate, he is able to use the documentary's narrative to promote his views in an effective way.
For instance, during the film's closing scene, Foote claims that if President Lincoln had won the election instead of Andrew Jackson, slavery would still have been legal. In a sense, the film's use of Foote's quote was a psychological pass, as it helped Americans believe that the Civil War was inevitable and based on slavery alone.
Despite these flaws, it is still considered an important historical documentary for its insights into the Civil War and slavery. But while it has certainly helped shape America's beliefs about the war, its failure to provide an adequate account of the facts has left it vulnerable to scrutiny and criticism from historians.
Another great way to get more accurate and challenging accounts of the Civil War is through contemporary filmmakers who are not trained as historians. Ava DuVernay and Marlon Roggs, for example, have created powerful and relevant documentaries that delve into topics like Black power, gender, and the African Diaspora.
Likewise, Exterminate All the Brutes is a hybrid docuseries that uses rich archival footage and animation to challenge the very notion of how we write history. Its four episodes offer an incredibly visually arresting journey into the darkest hours of humanity, delving deep into the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism, from America to Africa and its implications for our society today.
FAQ
What is the most mysterious place on earth?
Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
Why do we find this place so intriguing? Because it is unlike anything else on Earth.
It is difficult to access because it is remote and extremely isolated. There is much more to this place than meets the eyes.
You'll also find the strangest species of wildlife in this natural wonder.
Let's see how this incredible destination became famous for its mystery.
Antarctica, The South Pole
No one knows exactly why Antarctica was named Antarctica. Some believe it means "land of ice." Others believe it derives from Greek mythology.
In ancient Greece, Antarktis was the name given to the island where Zeus' twin brothers were born. According to legend, one of the twins was born in winter. Thus, the term antarctic.
Others believe that the name comes from the Greek words anti meaning against and tropos meaning to turn. This would mean that the land was turned away by the sun.
Whatever the reason Antarctica holds a special fascination, people have always loved it.
It is the driest, windiest of all continents. It is too cold to support trees, plants, and animals.
And yet, this frozen wasteland is teeming with life.
It is home to approximately 90 percent of all life on Earth. You can find approximately half the world's species of animal and plant plants here.
What makes Antarctica so special? Here, water freezes in ice rather that vaporizing into the atmosphere.
This causes large amounts of ice to float above ground.
These floating glaciers make up 80%. And they're growing larger every year.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet has grown 60 feet in the past 60 years.
The sea level will rise up to 200 feet if melting continues. This could lead to massive flooding across the globe.
This is not necessarily bad news. Some scientists claim that global warming could be good for us. They believe that global warming will lead to melting ice sheets faster and floods that can flush toxic chemicals out of our soils and bodies.
But others warn that this theory sounds like a plot from a science fiction movie.
Is there a Hollywood blacklist.
There is a Hollywood blacklist.
But, the list has not been made public. As far as we are aware, the names are not even known. Here's why this matters.
The secret reason is that directors and actors who are on the blacklist would not be able to find employment. So they'd go out of business, which means that the studios would lose money. They would also cut back on their spending on movies. This would result in fewer opportunities available for blacklisted filmmakers. They could go bankrupt.
This could eventually lead to more victims.
A contract may be required to agree to not speak against employers if someone attempts to make an Oscar winning movie. The same goes for any director or producer who wants to get nominated for an award.
Producers often pressure directors to cut scenes from their films. Or how directors threaten to walk away from projects that don't fit their vision.
This is the reason there is a Hollywood blacklist. Negative comments about your employer will most likely lead to you being unemployed. This is not good news for anyone.
Problem is, many people have been falsely charged. It's been a struggle to get their names cleared.
This kind of thing must stop before it can happen again. It is essential that everyone has the freedom to express their opinions.
Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the Hollywood blacklist.
Have you ever wondered how much trash is produced worldwide each day?
The United Nations estimates that the average person generates more than 2.5 pounds of waste each day. This adds up to over 25 million pounds of garbage annually!
The majority of this garbage ends up in incinerators or landfills. But what happens when the dumpsters become full? All that trash ends up being shipped out of country. The trash is then sent out of the country and dumped in countries where it pollutes ecosystems. But, one man has now discovered exactly where this rubbish goes. Mike Sexton is his name. He runs Waste Watchers, a company that monitors the movements of trucks carrying trash all across North America. He then gives us a report on what happens next.
Sexton claims he is very satisfied with his job. CNN spoke with Sexton that they have a lot fun. "You know, we see these big rigs come through town, and we'll follow them. "Sexton started following truck driver almost 20 years back.
"I just fell in love with it," he said.
Sexton's favorite story was about a driver who stopped at an abandoned gas station in Los Angeles. Sexton described, "The guy was looking somewhere to put his load." "He drove along the road and saw this structure. He pulled over and went in. "There were two huge roll-off containers there filled with stuff. The man removed everything from the truck and started to load it again. "Then he took out everything and began to fill up the truck. There were lots of old tires, rags furniture, mattresses, mattresses, cans, cans, and other items. It was a complete mess. But it had been cleaned before he arrived. There wasn’t trash everywhere."
This begs the question: Why? The answer is that this location was once part of a recycling facility. People who knew about it would drive to this location to recycle their garbage. Sexton explained, "They would bring their household goods and take them here," and they would then empty the containers.
This could happen hundreds of time per week. This can happen hundreds of times a week.Eventually, the truck becomes so overloaded with junk that it stops running. The truck eventually stops running and the owner decides that it is time to get rid of the vehicle.
Trash isn’t the only problem we face on the planet.
These tiny plastic particles make up the majority of the particles. Some end up in incinerators or landfills. Some of these plastics end up in rivers or oceans.
Experts say if nothing changes, we could soon face a global food shortage. One expert said, "If we keep going as we are going, we're never going to make it," but most people don’t seem concerned.
Here are 5 fascinating facts about the liver
The liver is responsible of breaking down toxins and storing nutrients. It helps to regulate blood pressure and keep our bodies temperature stable.
Is it not often that we hear people say "I feel sluggish today" and "my head feels heavier?" These symptoms could indicate liver problems.
Common signs include yellowing skin, dark urine, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, stomach cramps (yellow coloration), itching, and jaundice (yellow colouration). But these aren't the only warning signs. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to consult your doctor right away.
The liver is a vital organ. It is an important organ that plays a vital role in detoxification.
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The average adult human liver is approximately 1,400g.
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A baby's liver is about half the size of an adult's at birth. It becomes about four times more large by the age of three than an infant's liver.
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The liver is located on the left side, just below your rib cage.
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The liver is divided into 16 major lobes. However, there are many smaller lobules that are within these lobes.
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The liver is home to approximately 10 million red blood cell units.
Statistics
- It might not sound like something that's truly plausible — and it is quite rare — but according to a 2015 study published in the Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals, it's possible to hurt yourself and even break a rib just by sneezing. (romper.com)
- A 2012 paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that people blink about 15 to 20 times each minute, meaning, if you do the math, you spend about 10% of the time that you're awake blinking. (romper.com)
- In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you make 15 to 30 gallons of tears each year, which is insane when you think about it. (romper.com)
- In fact, nearly 24% of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. (romper.com)
- In one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Science that sought to study the prevalence of these mites, research showed that 41% of the people had them hanging out in their eyelashes. (romper.com)
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Hollywood scandals that shocked the world
There's nothing more shocking than watching someone become famous for the wrong reasons. However, there is nothing worse than watching them fall from grace.
It's fascinating to see how industries react to their mistakes. We have all heard of celebrities who overdosed on drugs and alcohol. Some even died young because of it.
But the worst part is when those same stars go public with their problems and are shunned by everyone. We were there last week.
Heath Ledger died after a long, successful career. He overdosed on prescription pills, and after a brief battle with death, he passed away.
His family and friends struggled to accept his passing, and the media had a field day bashing him publicly.
Heath was once one of the most gifted actors currently working. Two Academy Awards nominations were given to Heath for his role in Brokeback Mountain.
Heath did more than act. He also directed films including A Knight's Tale. Monster's Ball and Iron Man.
Hollywood loved Heath. But he was too big for his boots. He began to drink heavily and took drugs. He was eventually able to get clean and went to rehab.
Now that he was sober, he wanted to make amends. He made a documentary called "Room 237," that chronicled the making and release of The Shining. The film was originally supposed to be released in this year's theaters, but it will not make its way into the cinemas until next year.
Heath tried many times to get back into Hollywood. Nothing worked. In fact, he was arrested twice on drug charges.
We're not saying Heath should have been allowed back into show business. However, it would have been nice if he could have gotten some help before things spiraled out of control.
We hope Heath's story will serve as a warning to others who may think they can still have everything.