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
Do you wonder how much trash is produced each day across the globe?
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!
Most of the trash ends up at incinerators and landfills. But, what happens to those dumpsters? Most of that trash is shipped out of the country. The rest is dumped abroad, where it pollutes other ecosystems. Now, we know the exact location of all this garbage. Mike Sexton is his full name. He is the owner of Waste Watchers. His job involves monitoring the movements and routes of trash trucks across North America. He reports back to us about the next steps.
Sexton claims he is very satisfied with his job. CNN spoke with Sexton that they have a lot fun. "We see these big trucks coming through town, so we'll keep following them. "Sexton started following truck driver almost 20 years back.
He stated, "I just fell in Love with It."
His favorite story involved a driver who pulled off at an abandoned gas station near Los Angeles. Sexton said that the man was searching for a place to store his stuff. "He drove down the street and saw this building. He stopped and pulled up, then he went inside. "There were two huge roll-off containers there filled with stuff. He took out everything and began to fill up the truck. "The man looked around the area and decided to unload all of it. There were many old tires, furniture, rags and mattresses. "It was a complete mess. But it had been cleaned before he arrived. There was not a single piece of trash.
This begs the question: Why? This particular spot used to be a recycling center. People would drive there to recycle their trash. Sexton explained that people would bring home their household items, and then take them to the building. After they were done, they would dispose of the empty containers.
Now, because of the way the law works, once a container reaches its destination, it cannot be opened.So no matter how often someone takes something out of it, the thing will never be emptied.Every time the truck comes by, it has to start over again. It can happen hundreds of time per week. Eventually, the truck is so full of junk it stops running. The owner eventually decides to dump the truck.
Trash isn’t the only problem we face on the planet.
Most of these particles are made up of tiny pieces of plastic.Some of these plastics end up in landfills or incinerators. Some are washed into rivers and oceans. Others end up with fish in their stomachs.
Experts say if nothing changes, we could soon face a global food shortage. "If we keep going like we're going, we're not going to make it," one expert warned.But even though scientists agree that the world is headed toward disaster, most people don't seem worried.
Here are 5 fascinating facts about the liver
The liver is responsible of breaking down toxins and storing nutrients. It regulates blood pressure and maintains a stable body temperature.
How often do we hear someone say, 'I feel sluggish today' or 'my head feels heavy'? These symptoms may be a sign of liver disease.
Itching, dark urine and yellowing skin are all common symptoms. These are not all the 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 vital for detoxification, metabolism, immunity, reproduction, and digestion.
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The average adult liver weighs 1,400g.
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The size of a baby's liver at birth is approximately half that of an adult. By age three, it is about four times larger than that of an infant.
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The liver can be found just below the rib cage, on the left side.
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There are 16 major lobes of the liver. But there are also many smaller ones.
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The liver contains about 10 million individual red blood cells.
How does the brain control the functions in your body?
The brain communicates with other organs to ensure their cooperation. Everything that happens within your body is controlled by the brain. It tells you your stomach to digest food; your lungs to inhale air; and it tells you your arms and legs how to move.
Your brain consists of billions of nerve cells connected in groups called neurons. Action potentials, which are electrical signals sent by neurons to each other via axons, allow them to communicate with one another. Each neuron has a cell membrane surrounding its nucleus. The membrane contains channels that allow ions like sodium and potassium to enter the cell and leave it. The electric charge that causes the neuron's fire is created by ion movement.
When a neuron is activated, neurotransmitters release chemicals into the space between it and the next neuron. Neurotransmitters attach to the receptors of the second neuron and open ions channels for ions to pass in and out. As a result, second neuron fires as well.
Neurotransmitter release occurs when the presynaptic neuron receives an impulse from another neuron. An impulse travels along a synaptic link between the two neuron. The transmitter binds to the receptors on the postsynaptic neural cell, which triggers the firing of that neuron.
For communication within the nervous systems, neurotransmitters are essential. They are also responsible for coordinating activity between various parts of the brain.
What is the most secretive town in the world?
The answer may shock you. It may even make it uncomfortable, as it challenges our perceptions of reality and our lives. There is a reason this place exists and it's not as you might expect.
The ancient Greeks called it the City of God. It was also known as the City of Destruction according to the Bible.
It's also known as Kashi (Kashmir) in India. It's also known as Novgorod in Russia.
It's called The Town That Has Disappeared here in America.
A small community of 1200 people in western New York State vanished. There were no bodies, cars or houses left behind, but a road sign that pointed to the former location was all that was left.
This little town disappeared, leaving no clues about where it went or when. Some say the earth swallowed it up. Others say it was destroyed in a meteorite collision. Others believe that aliens took it.
Despite what may have happened, the people who lived in this once-thriving area are confident that their town will not be lost forever. They just moved to another city.
Even a website exists to help track down the disappearances of the lost city Zugspitz.
So where is this town? It's in Switzerland.
You can find Zugspitze at the border of Austria and Germany. Lake Zugspitze can be found just beyond the summit.
I have always been fascinated by the fact that so many towns have vanished, but some remain. Why does some vanish while others remain? I decided to investigate.
I wanted to learn more about mysteriously disappearing towns. Is it possible for a place to vanish? How does one place go extinct?
It turns out that there are several theories about the phenomenon of vanishing towns. One theory holds that a town disappears if all its buildings are demolished. Another theory says that the town just moves. A third theory states that the town didn't exist at all.
The fact is that hundreds of towns all over the world have been swept away by the ground, despite theories to the contrary. This video examines both the history and current status.
Statistics
- The average human adult male heart rate is between 70 and 72 beats per minute, while the average for adult women is between 78 and 82 beats, which is significantly faster, according to 2014 published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. (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)
- Your mouth makes a lot of saliva every day It might seem like way too much, but your salivary glands typically produce anywhere from 0.5 and 1.5 liters a day, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life. (romper.com)
- 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)
- 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)
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Hollywood scandals that shocked the globe
Nothing is more shocking than seeing someone famous for wrong reasons. It's even more frightening to see them fall from grace.
It's fascinating to see how industries react to their mistakes. There are many stories about celebrities who drank excessively. Some even died young because of it.
The worst thing is when these stars are made public about their problems and shunned. Last week, that's exactly where we were.
Heath Ledger, after a long and successful professional career, finally gave in to his demons. He overdosed on prescription pills, and after a brief battle with death, he passed away.
His family and his friends struggled with the news and the media went after him.
Heath was once thought to be one the greatest actors of all time. His performances in Brokeback Mountain earned Heath two Academy Award nominations.
Heath not only acted, but also wrote and directed films including A Knight's Tale. Monster's Ball. Iron Man.
Hollywood loved Heath, but he became too big for his britches. He started taking drugs and drinking heavily. He was eventually able to get clean and went to rehab.
He wanted to make amends now that he was sober. He made a documentary called "Room 237," that chronicled the making and release of The Shining. It was supposed that it would be released this year but it won't make its debut in theaters until next.
Every time Heath tried to get back into Hollywood, something happened. In fact, Heath was twice arrested on drug charges.
Although we don't think Heath should be allowed to return to the showbiz, However, it would have been nice if he could have gotten some help before things spiraled out of control.
We hope Heath's story warns others who might think they can still have it all.