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Looking for a story to help with your history curriculum? We can help. Here you'll find true history stories categorized by subject and time period. We love history and want your kids to love it too!
Subcategories
1400's-1800's
1754-1763
From Jamestown in 1607 through 1763
Time leading up to the War of Independence through the end of the war. 1763-1783
Approx. 1787-1815
Early to mid-1800's including true stories of the pioneers and mountain men
1812-1815
1865-1877
1898
1914-1918
1939-1945
Story of the life of Lincoln born in a log cabin to becoming president.
Throughout Robert E. Lee's life, his one purpose was to do his duty. His life was one of honor.
Did you know Stonewall Jackson taught in Sunday school and even gathered the slaves of his town every Sunday and taught them the Bible. Later when he was a great soldier, he would go off to pray before a battle.
One day in April 1862 a passenger train was on its way north. At Marietta twenty men boarded the train.These men were bent on a desperate mission.
Sam Davis was a young Southern soldier who was a scout or "spy". He was only 17 years old, but was a fine rider and was in for quite an adventure.
Libby prison in Richmond Virginia held 1000 Union prisoners. There was little chance of escape but the enterprise was undertaken by a few of the most daring Union soldiers. What was their plan? Did they make it?
During the Civil War, the harbors of the Southern ports were closely blockaded so as to cut off supplies. The life of a blockade runner was full of perils and thrilling experiences.
The story of how General Sherman's army marched through the South doing property damage that was estimated at one hundred million dollars.
The terrible war had gone on for four years. The South had been drained of men and supplies and Lee saw it was useless to continue the unequal struggle any longer. This is the story of his surrender to General Grant.
Cyrus Field sat wondering if the ocean bottom could support an electric cable. What if messages could be sent overseas. He called upon his friend Peter Cooper and wrote to Samuel F.B. Morse. Just maybe.....
Alexander Graham Bell eagerly approached the Committee in charge of the Exposition where people from every nation came to see new inventions. The judges were skeptical, but they let him display his new "telephone". Find out what inspired him to make such a machine.
It is quite certain that no other inventor has produced so many things that have added to the pleasure and comfort of the world as Thomas Edison. Listen to the story of his life.
At the outbreak of the Civil War a young woman who was a clerk in the Patent Office, gave up her position and volunteered to nurse soldiers with out pay. Learn of her inspiring story and how the Red Cross was begun.
Soldiers were dying. The yellow fever was raging. Dr. Reed had an idea. He asked for volunteers to test it. See how he found the way the fever was being spread and the cure.
Starting out as a conscientious objector, York ends up accomplishing an amazing feat and single-handedly killed 20 men and put 35 machine guns out of practice! This is an incredible story of a man who came from the mountains of Tennessee.
Captain John Smith joined the expedition of the London Company in 1605 and founded the colony of Jamestown despite many trians. When captured by the Indians, Pocohontas pleaded for his life to be spared. He established a friendship with the Indians and in many ways his captivity proved a blessing to his settlement.
Roger Williams came to America about 10 years after the Pilgrims. He wanted people to have the freedom to worship at any church they chose to establish. He had some disagreements with the Pilgrims but later requested he help make peace with the Indians for them. He is known for establshing Rhode Island for religious freedom.
William Penn had to suffer to become a Quaker including the wrath of his own father. The Quakers endured being fined, robbed, imprisonment, and ill-treatment, but Wiliam believed firmly in the doctrines and clung to them. Learn how he was able to finally set up a refuge for Quakers which has now become our state of Pennsylvania. Ever wonder how it got...
Sammy was a strong young boy of nine when soldiers of the Revolutionary Army came to his town in Connecticut. Find out how Sammy met the famous General Putnam and then even was able to help him just like a real soldier!
What was it like to live in the South in the mid-1800's? It's so helpful to try to invision yourself in the shoes of the people who lived what you learn about in history. This story will help you do just that.
Belle Boyd, just 17 years old when the Civil War broke out was passionately loyal to the Confederate cause. She began to pick up critical information and relay it to the officers. She was as cool in courage and as firm in purpose as the bravest soldier on the battlefield and often in just as real danger. You'll be inspired by her exploits.
General Johnston had a dilemma. He needed someone to be able to report on the number and whereabouts of the Federal troops. This was made difficult by the lay of the land and the vast expanse before him. He had an idea. Twenty-one year old John Randolph Bryan had no idea when he willingly volunteered for a dangerous mission what lay ahead of him.
General John H. Morgan evinced more dauntless courage, had part in more amazing adventures, and demonstrated more perfect self-control in hazardous situations than perhaps any other of his comrades. See how he uses astounding resourcefulness in escaping unharmed from numerous perilious circumstances.
The boldest of Gen. John Morgan's exploits was his raid beyond the Ohio River in 1863. See how he performed against fierce opposition.
This is the story of "The Gallant Pelham" as the men called him. Fresh out of West Point, he proved himself so fearless and skillful, that he attracted the attention of J.E.B. Stuart who after the youth's first battle, entrusted him to organize a battery to consist of six pieces of horse artillery. Learn how his skill and intrepity inspired his men.
The most famous of all the partisan rangers of the South, during the Civil War was Colonel John Mosby. So suddenly did he appear in the open, so quickly did he vanish into the nearest forest, that he was spoken of by the foe as the Flying Dutchman of the Woods and his followers as Children of the Mist.
Perhaps the most briliant of all Mosby's exploits as a partisan ranger was his capture of General Stoughton and his raid on Fairfax Courthouse in March, 1863. The astonishing daring which he had shown and its triumphant result established his reputation as the most briliant partisan leader in the Eastern theatre of war.
Mosby's men reported that the very largest wagon train of the enemy they'd seen during the course of the war wsa headed their way. Mosby set out to investigate. This is the story. Listen to find out the result!
One of Mosby's rangers, Private Munson was captured and on a train headed for Federal prison. This is the story of his daring escape and his emotional reunion at last with his faithful stead.
Confederate Frank Stringfellow was a scout who appeared to be born for his perilous calling. He found himself in numerous hazardous situations during the course of the Civil War. Here are 2 of his adventures selected because of their particular interest.
This battalion of cadets whose average age was 17 years old fought valiantly for their first time ever. General Breckenridge told them they had exercised a decisive influence in winning the victory. Five members were killed outright, four additional died from wounds and one-fifth of the boys wounded. All the dead were buried with military honors.
Among the most hazardous and impetuous adventures during the war was the raid which Major General Harry Gilmor led on the city of Baltimore in July 1864. He was so exhausted at one point he slept while riding his horse. Here is the story.
Entrusted with an important message for General Lee, Lieutenant Wise persisted amid many dangers and perils to deliver his message to Farmville.
Colonel Withers saved Danville VA from the looting country people, from the famished Confederate soldiers, from the marauding Federal bummers, and finally from the possible depradations of thousands of hungry and angry captives. Learn of his determination, firmness, courage and promptness that entitled him to honor for his coolness and bravery.
This is the story of the early part of Washington's life from being a surveyor for Lord Fairfax to commanding troops during the French and Indian War. It tells of his cool confidence and courage that was preparing him to later become commander of the colonist's forces against Great Britain.
As he rode into battle on his famous horse "Little Sorrel", he always had a Bible in his hand. After the famous Battle of Bull Run, his pastor received a letter from him. Thinking it would be news of the battle, he quickly opened it to find Stonewall Jackson's weekly contribution to finance the Sunday school for black people. Learn of this truly godly...
His story- how he almost died when a student at VMI, Operations Officer in World War I to becoming Brigadier general, Chief of Staff and not retiring till the end of World War II. The country was grateful to George C. Marshall.
He almost lost his leg and his life as a 13 yr. old boy. The doctor wanted to amputate his leg. He made the decision not to let the doctor do it. God preserved his life and he was made Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces of World War II who launched the invasion of HItler's Europe- the greatest single military action the world has ever known. Learn of...
Saved by his mother from an Indian attack, only to take part in much greater battles many years later- Douglas MacArthur. The world listened at General MacArthur spoke from the deck of the Missouri when Japan officially surrended at the end of World War II.
Private Young joined one of the toughest companies of history, a company of heroes. They were taking hits from a hidden machine gun. He was hit, but wounded continued to crawl along the ground, rifle in hand, grenades in his pocket. The enemy soldiers directed all their fire at him. He hoped it would givie his platoon the chance to escape....
Find out how Lydia was able to prevent a British victory at a crucial time, by simply listening and reporting what she heard.
When Molly Ludwig's husband fell while manning his cannon at the Battle of Monmouth, she took his place. Find out how she got the nickname of Molly Pitcher.
Find out how John Mosby and his men in one bold stroke, captured the youngest general in the Union army plus 32 men and 58 horses and earned him the reputation that the Yankee's feared.
Horatio Spafford wrote' It is Well with My Sou'l as his ship passed over the spot where his daughters' lives had been lost. This is his story.
Find out how Colonel Aleksandr Groten demonstrated uncommon courage in self-sacrifice by exposing himself to certain death in order to save his soldiers.
The story of how John Paul Jones, captain of the Bonhomme Richard, exemplified decisiveness and won the battle over the British frigate, the Serapis during the War for Independence.
How Adrian Marks initiated the amazing rescue of the remaining crew members of the USS Indianapolis, who'd been lost at sea after being torpeoded by a Japanese submarine in World War II.
Those men who saw him said he moved like an angel untouched through a storm of shrapnel and bullets, passing from man to man, giving them medical aid. The story of Cecil Breeden, medic on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Throughout is life Benjamin Franklin demonstrated diligence. By hard work and industry, he helped to better society and to establish a more perfect form of government.
The story of how Eugene Fluckey and his men destroyed more gross tonnage than any other submarine in the Pacific Theatre during the only instance that American troops set foot on Japanese soil during World War II.