VIRGINIA PATRIOT

For most of his life, James Monroe lived a life of public service. That dedication to the future of the United States began when Monroe was a teenager.

Getting Started

During James Monroe's lifetime, the 13 American Colonies D broke away from England and fought and won the Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

An International Industry

For many countries, cinema plays an important role in their culture. Here are three countries with interesting film industries.

Animal Actors

Actors take on all kinds of roles, and animal actors are no different. Take a look at these animals who proved essential to the show!

Saving the Art of the SILVER SCREEN

When George Eastman died in 1932, he left his 50-room home in Rochester, New York, to the University of Rochester. But the school found the estate too large to use effectively.

Must-See Hollywood

Famous things in Hollywood

MOVIE MAGIC

Special effects are the special ingredients that make movies magical. They create scenes that otherwise would be impossible to capture.

What's in a name?

If you were a beautiful woman who dreamed of being a famous actress, would you want a plain name like Norma Jeane Mortenson? Or would you want a more glamorous name to go with your new persona?

WALT DISNEY'S MAGICAL WORLD

Most people associate Walt Disney (1901-1966) with the theme parks and video streaming platform that bear his name.

Silent Stars

Early motion pictures, with their short stories and their .silence, could be enjoyed by almost anyone, anywhere.

Behind the Scenes

Have you ever watched film credits roll up a screen and wondered why it took so many people to make a movie?

Movie Moguls and Studio Sharks

In the early days of Hollywood, getting a movie studio up and running was challenging.

Those Early Picture Machines

A row of cameras is set up alongside a track. Attached to the shutter of each camera is a string that stretches across the track.

Getting Started

Today, the word \"Hollywood\" brings to mind an internationally famous and glamorous film industry.

Getting Started

The definition of citizenship is \"the status of a person owing loyalty to and entitled to the protection of a state or nation.\"

Start Your Civic Career as a VOLUNTEER

Volunteering is a part of civic life for many Americans. Hundreds of organizations rely on this ethic of service in the United States to accomplish their missions.

THE JUROR'S JOB

A jury is made up of people who take time out from their regular routines to perform one of the highest duties of U.S. citizenship.

The Path to Become an American

In 2021, about 3.6 million babies were born in the United States. Just that act alone-being born in this country-gave those babies automatic U.S. citizenship, even if their parents were not U.S. citizens.

Taxes The Price of Citizenship

Every April 15, millions of Americans file federal income tax returns. President John F. Kennedy called this the \"annual price of citizenship.\"

IT'S ΟΚΑΥ ΤΟ DISAGREE

John F. Kennedy spoke the words above during his 1960 presidential campaign.

EXTENDING THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Stepping inside a voting booth is perhaps the most important part of being a U.S. citizen. But the U.S. Constitution does not even address who has-or does not have the right to vote.

Meet the Citizens!

Meet John and Jane Citizen. They have three kids, two cars, and a nice house in a medium-size town.

A Famous Mud Pie

There are many versions of Mississippi mud pie. Some recipes call for creating a pie with five different layers, which might include layers of brownie, custard, pudding, or meringue.

A Fiesta of Flavors

There's no denying that Puerto Rico has a wealth of culture, a captivating past, and an abundance of scenic wonders. It should come as no surprise, then, that the island's food is also rich in fun and flavor. Traditional Borinquén fare has influences from around the world. It is rooted in native tastes. But it was blended with African cooking styles, refined with Spanish flavors, and later zested by Dutch, Irish, Italian, and even Chinese elements. No wonder the cuisine is nicknamed la cocina criolla, or "the creole kitchen!"

Mighty Rivers

Rivers play a huge role in both the natural environment and human activity. Here are three important rivers around the world.

Major Rivers

The Mississippi isn't the only river to have an important role in the nation's history.

STEPPING UP - AN INTERVIEW WITH ROJEAN HEYER

Rojean Heyer (RIGHT) has been a lockmaster for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 12 years.

Controlling the River

Seasonal flooding is a natural event for a river. When a river floods, it spills beyond its banks into nearby low-lying areas.

Engineer Extraordinaire

he Mississippi River was littered with sunken steamboats that had hit snags or had gone down in flames. Someone could make a fortune retrieving cargoes that were sitting on the bottom of the river.

THE FALL OF VICKSBURG

Vicksburg's location high on the bluffs gave it a commanding view-and control-of the Mississippi River.