BrainPOP Lessons organized by Topic.

AAPI Heritage Month

Join the gang for a quiz show in honor of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Abraham Lincoln

Meet Abraham Lincoln, the Illinois boy who became the 16th President of the United States, and was known as the Great Emancipator!

Adolf Hitler

The fascist dictator of Germany and leader of the Nazis, Hitler started World War II and was responsible for the murder of millions of people.

Agricultural Revolution

How did domesticating plants and animals lead to a far more stable food supply? The agricultural revolution was a big step forward for us all!

Albert Einstein

Tim and Moby introduce you to the Nobel-winning scientist Albert Einstein, the physicist who revolutionized our understanding of space and time.

American Revolution

Learn how a ragtag army of colonial underdogs took on the British, the mightiest military in the world!

Andrew Jackson

“Old Hickory” increased presidential powers and was the first self-made man to become president, but his Indian Removal Act and support for slavery make him a complicated figure.

Apartheid

Learn about the history of South Africa's racial segregation, and the fight to end it!

Armed Forces

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and. . what? Tim and Moby introduce you to all five branches of the American Armed Forces, and march you through their jobs and histories.

Articles of Confederation

Learn how the United States was governed before the Constitution was written!

At-Home Fitness

Exercise is key for physical and mental health. Learn how to stay active from the comfort of home with a fun new card game!

Athens

Democracy, drama, and the Olympics! Learn about the ancient city-state of Athens, Greece, where much of the culture we take for granted today was invented!

Aztec Civilization

Tim and Moby lead you into the Valley of Mexico for a look at the powerful Mesoamerican civilization, and how the conquistuadors engineered their fall.

Benjamin Franklin

The famed inventor who was also a Founding Father, a scientist, and a diplomat. It takes a lot to get on the $100 bill--ask Tim and Moby!

Bill Clinton

See how a saxaphone-playing poor boy from Arkansas defied the odds to become the 42nd President of the United States!

Bill of Rights

Ten amendments to the constitution you’ll hear a lot of shouting about! Learn about each of the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights, and discover who interprets them nowadays.

Black Death

You’re right, it’s not something you want for your birthday. This pandemic outbreak caused by a plague of rats changed society in the Middle Ages.

Black History Month

Learn how Black History Month first clambered onto our calendars back during the Harlem Renaissance.

Branches of Government

Find out how powers are separated between the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of government. It's pretty cool how the system of checks and balances helps limit the power that any one branch can exercise!

British Empire

How did the British Empire become the largest imperial colonizers in history, and what ended this mercantile domination? Grab a cuppa and watch Tim and Moby embark on a 400 year-old tale.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

Separate does not mean equal. Press “play” to learn all about segregation and the civil rights warriors who put an end to the racist policy.

California Missions

Learn about Spain’s mission to colonize California, and the impact it had on California’s Native peoples.

Causes of the American Revolution

What is an intolerable act of tyranny? Learn about taxation without representation and boycotts in the Colonial days, and what “quartering” means. Tim and Moby say they want a revolution!

Census

Get counted! Learn how the U.S. Census helps the government assign power to the people.

Charles Darwin

Meet the originator of the theory of evolution, a world-famous naturalist who introduced the ideas of mimicry, natural selection, and the survival of the fittest.

Che Guevara

From privileged Argentinian to Cuban revolutionary, Che Guevara was a complicated figure in Latin-American communist rebellion.

Christopher Columbus

Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria! This great sailor and navigator crossed the ocean blue, and into the New World. But the relationship between the explorer and the natives is troubling.

Citizenship

Explore freedoms U.S. citizens enjoy because of documents like the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, and discover the responsibilities that come with those rights.

Civil War

Give an overview of the Civil War by introducing its key figures, battles, and events.

Civil War Causes

What caused the Civil War? Learn about how the deep divide over slavery split the country in two, to fight a war against itself.

Cleopatra

Meet the powerful last Queen of Egypt, whose downfall led directly to the establishment of the Roman Empire.

Cold War

The arms race and the space race take center stage as two nuclear superpowers vie for supremacy. Brrr!

Columbian Exchange

The Old World and the New World swap species in the Columbian Exchange!

Communism

A theory based on the idea of the equal distribution of wealth. Sounds ideal, right? Learn why it can work, but also how many communist countries devolve into dictatorships.

Conquistadors

How--and why-- were a small number of Spanish adventurers able to wipe the majestic Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations off the map?

Constitutional Convention

Join Tim and Moby at the Constitutional Convention to relive the debates that shaped a nation!

Continents of the World

How many continents are there, anyway? And which one has no permanent population? Which contains only one country? Tim and Moby get all continental on you.

Court System

Introduce students to the U.S. court system; the difference between civil and criminal cases; and the structures of state, federal, military, and tribal courts.

COVID-19 PSA

Moby and the gang beam in from the future to deliver important reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Special Report

Nearly a year into the pandemic, COVID-19 is still raging. A safe and effective vaccine should become widely available in the coming months, but in the meantime, it's important for us all to work together to stop the spread of the virus.

Day of the Dead

The dead deserve a day to party, too! Learn about Día de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday celebrated around the world.

Daylight Saving Time

Look at your clock and remember: Spring forward, fall back, and never be late for school! Learn which founding father first proposed DST, and why our summer nights are so light.

Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self-evident. . .” Jefferson was the main author of this revolutionary document, but who else helped? And how dangerous was it to sign?

Democracy

Elections, Voting, and Congress: They’re all about representing us! Learn about democracy’s history, and the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy.

Disability Rights

Introduce the Disability Rights movement through the fight for Section 504, the law that paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Diwali

They’re not just rows of lamps. . . they light the way to the biggest celebration on the Hindu calendar! Learn about the holiday of Diwali.

Earth Day

Look back at the history of Earth day, and share simple actions that anyone can take for the planet.

Easter

Teach students about the most significant holiday in the Christian faith.

Egyptian Pharaohs

Why did Cleopatra and King Tut hold those crooked canes? Discover what it meant to be a pharaoh, and why pyramids meant so much to these supreme monarchs.

Eleanor Roosevelt

This First Lady was just as influential as her husband (Franklin) and her uncle (Theodore)! Learn how Eleanor Roosevelt went from Depression-era icon to the United Nations.

Election Night 2020

Election Day 2020 is today! Learn how the pandemic is changing the process, and what to expect on Election Night!

Fall of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire went from the greatest heights of art and culture that the world had ever seen, to utter collapse. Learn the byzantine story of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Feminism

Is it radical to think we all deserve equal rights? Learn about gender discrimination through the years, the meaning of suffrage, and some famous feminist activists.

Feudalism

If you like knights in shining armor, kings, peasants and--er--plagues, pay fealty to this movie! Tim and Moby discuss life during medieval times.

Flattening the Curve

Coming to you from well over six feet away, it’s the debut of BrainPOP News! Our first story: flattening the curve.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Our longest-serving president won four consecutive presidential terms, created the New Deal, and guided the nation through the Great Depression and World War II!

Frederick Douglass

Meet Frederick Douglass, who went from being enslaved to one of the leading American abolitionists of the 19th Century, and a crucial figure in Black History!

French and Indian War

Britain and France once fought over who’d dominate North America: Trade with Native Americans sparked this conflict, and a fellow called George Washington got involved!

French Revolution

Off with their heads! Discover how the French monarchy alienated its people and triggered a violent battle between rival factions.

Galileo Galilei

The amazing career of Galileo Galilei, the Italian mathematician, scientist and philosopher who got in big trouble for being non-heliocentric. Tim and Moby tell you how!

Geography Themes

Tim and Moby get that globe spinning and talk about what the geography of a country can tell you about its people, their culture, and their history!

Gold Rush

There’s nuggets of gold in them thar hills! Or rather, there were. Tim and Moby go panning through the history of the California Gold Rush, and the 49’ers who lived it.

Great Depression

The 1929 stock market crash began the greatest economic slump of the 20th century, leading to strikes and rife unemployment. Then add a big old dust bowl to the mix. . .

Great Depression Causes

Discover why the prosperity of the Roaring Twenties couldn’t last, and how people’s spending and saving habits made a financial crisis inevitable. Tim and Moby wonder: Lesson learned?

Great Wall of China

Who built the Great Wall of China, and why? Tim and Moby stand on the watchtower and search for Huns and Mongols.

Greek Gods

How did they keep track of all those gods? It comes down to a realllly complicated family tree. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon each rule different parts of the universe—and all the gods found creative ways of causing trouble on Earth. Each god and goddess had their own speciality, from the goddess of the hunt to the god of music, the god of war to the goddess of love, and more! Press "play" to learn more about the 12 Olympians and their role in Ancient Greece!

Groundhog Day

Burrow into the holiday of Groundhog Day, from its origins among ancient European tribes to its traditions today.

Haitian Revolution

In 1791, thousands of enslaved people rose up to liberate themselves. Learn how their army defeated the mighty French Empire and established the first independent Black nation in the western hemisphere: Haiti.

Halloween

Ghosts, witches and goblins all know Halloween’s #1 rule: Don’t eat your candy all at once. Tim and Moby talk about the spooky holiday’s surprising history!

Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

Learn about the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Native Americans who put aside their differences to form a powerful alliance.

High Holidays

Introduce the two holiest days in the Jewish calendar: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year; and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The lesser of two evils? You decide. Tim and Moby talk about the atomic bombs that took an enormous toll on the people of Japan, but ended World War II.

Holocaust

How does a society go down the path to genocide? Learn about how the Holocaust happened, and how to recognize the signs so we can prevent it from happening again.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

It’s not easy to change the law--ask any bill! Tim and Moby follow the process that turns a proposed law into actual law, and encounter the President’s friend, Veto!

How Soap Works

Breaking news: Germs are not invincible. Watch our latest news coverage on how washing hands with soap helps keep everyone safe.

Hubble's 30th Birthday

Go, Hubble! It's your birthday! Go, Hubble...billions of years back in time! The Hubble Space Telescope is only 30 years old, but the knowledge it has provided is timeless.

Immigration

Were your ancestors among the tired, the poor, the huddled masses?Tim and Moby discuss the history of immigration in the U.S., and where many of our families first landed.

Inca Civilization

Long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the Inca people built a vast empire. So how did how fewer than 200 Spanish conquistadors manage to bring the mighty empire down?

Industrial Revolution

Factories, railroads, looms, and steel: The Industrial Revolution made the world smaller and busier! But what negative effects turned out to be long term, and will our planet pay the cost?

Interview with Dr. Fauci

Say hello to one of the most trusted people in America: Dr. Anthony Fauci! The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director chats with Nat about COVID-19, and what kids can do to help stop the pandemic.

Interview with Dr. Zhang

Celebrate Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with Nat and Dr. Feng Zhang, a groundbreaking Chinese-American scientist!

Inuit

Do you have what it takes to survive in an igloo, and to drive a dogsled? the Inuits do! How do these Native Americans harpoon a living in such a harsh climate?

James Madison

Political philosopher and writer (including the U.S. Constitution), ally of Jefferson and fourth President of the U.S., Madison might’ve been only 5”4 but he was a giant of a fellow!

Jim Crow

Can separate ever be equal? Tim and Moby examine the rise and fall of legalized segregation under Jim Crow laws.

John Adams

This founding father from Quincy, Massachusetts, was the second President of the U.S., and his writings on the principles of freedom and republicanism were unmatched.

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy was president during the height of the cold war, and presided over the Cuban missile crisis while setting his sights on space travel and leading us towards a New Frontier.

Korean War

Tim and Moby talk about the complicated relationship between North and South Korea, and how the U.S. got involved there in the first conflict of the cold war.

Labor Day

These days, Labor Day weekend means sales, parades, and picnics. But more than 100 years ago, it began as a way to honor American workers as they fought for better pay and job conditions.

Latitude and Longitude

You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road. . . watch this movie and you’ll learn how to pinpoint your location on Earth using a special grid, and what the Prime Meridian is.

League of Nations

TIm and Moby discuss the League of Nations, an organization proposed by President WIlson to deal with international disputes. So why didn’t the U.S. join?

Leap Year

Hop on in and learn the compelling reason why February has 29 calendar days, but only once in every four years: It’s all to do with the seasons and the sun!

Magna Carta

What does it mean when a monarchy is consitutional? Learn about the document that limited the powers of England’s kings and inspired America’s Founding Fathers!

Map Projections

Want to know how cartographers make 2D maps of our 3D planet? Get your head around it in no time flat!

Map Skills

If you didn't know that you never put a compass rose in water, it’s time to let Tim and Moby give you the latitude and longitude of map reading.

Marie Curie

Tim and Moby explore the life of Marie Curie, the famous scientist who coined the term 'radioactivity,' and the first person ever awarded two Nobel Prizes.

Maya Civilization

Join Tim and Moby as they explore this highly advanced pre-Columbian civilization and its hieroglyphs, pyramids, and Yucatan culture. But what caused the Maya’s collapse…?

Memorial Day

Enjoy the cookouts and the long weekend, but don't forget the real reason for Memorial Day: to honor the men and women who died while serving our country.

Mesoamerica

Get a glimpse of some of the most advanced civilizations in the history of the New World, including the Olmec, the Maya, and the Aztec. Moby’s there too, of course!

Mexican Revolution

Meet the leaders and heroes of the Mexican peasants’ rebellion against oppression, from the visionary Madero to the legendary “Pancho” Villa. Viva la revolución!

Mexican-American War

Did you know the U.S. nearly doubled its size in the middle of the 19th century? Tim shows you how Texas’ annexation as the 28th state led to the Mexican-American War.

Middle Ages

A time of darkness between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance, or a thousand-year era amazing artistic, poetic, and architectural achievements? You decide!

Miranda Rights

Learn about the constitutional rights of criminal suspects, and how they came to be called Miranda Rights.

Mount Everest

As every Himalayan mountaineer knows, at the top of Mount Everest every breath contains only one-third of the oxygen you get at sea level. Good thing Moby has built-in oxygen tanks.

Mummies

Mummies aren't really scary—but the mummification process might be! Learn how ancient Egyptians prepared the dead for the afterlife.

Napoleon Bonaparte

This defender of liberty became just another power-grabber, or did he? Learn about the Corsican general who became Emperor and eventually met his Waterloo when fighting the English.

Native American Traditions

From the six nations of the Haudenosaunee in the Northeast to the Diné in the Southwest, there are hundreds of Native American nations in the United States alone. Get started on learning about them with this movie!

New Deal

The New Deal (and Social Security) grew out of the Great Depression of the 1930’s, and from FDR’s fireside chats with the American people. Learn about the programs that preserved lives and dignity.

New Year's

It's celebrated the world over, but not always at the same time, or in the same way! Tim and Moby make a resolution to take you to different corners of the globe to celebrate the new year!

Nobel Prize

It’s one dynamite prize! Learn about Sweden’s annual Nobel Prizes, and people you know who’s won (Hemingway, Curie, Einstein, Obama...)

North Korea

How does North Korea's regime keep its iron grip on power? Find out by getting a glimpse into life in the most isolated country in the world.

North Pole

Grab your compass and a warm coat, and come on a little polar expedition with Tim and Moby. You’ll meet Inuit and seals, see a few ice caps, and think about what global warming might do to it all!

Oceans

Atlantic, Pacific, Indian...it’s really all one continuous oceanic mass that takes up more than 71% of the Earth. Know your salt about our oceans!

Oprah Winfrey

From Mississippi to Chicago to the World, Oprah Winfrey has become one of the most influential people in the media. Get to know this talented game-changer!

Ottoman Empire

Witness the rise and fall of the mighty Ottoman Empire, one of the largest empires in world history!

Paralympic Games

Calling all sports fans: It’s almost time for the Paralympic Games. Meet two medal-winning athletes, and get ready to cheer on the home team!

Parliamentary System

Parliamentary governments are the world's most popular form of democracy. Learn how their powerful legislatures lay down the law!

Pax Romana

It wasn’t all gladiator battles and colosseums! The Pax Romana was a time of great peace and human advancement in government, law, and art. Tim and Moby don their togas.

Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the U.S. into World War II, changing the course of history. Learn about its causes and effects.

Pelé

One of the world’s great athletes, Brazilian-born Pelé broke records in the World Cup, then became the face of the American soccer league, too. Not bad for a poor kid who started at just 15!

Pirates

Avast ye, matie! Learn about the fearsome Blackbeard, and the secret buried treasure of Captain Kidd. Tim and Moby walk the plank to give you the legacy of the pirates' golden age.

Political Beliefs

Democrat, Republican, or Green party, it’s important to understand what forms political beliefs, and how political ideologies divide opinions. Tim and Moby vote for you to watch this movie!

Political Parties

Learn the origins of and differences between Democrats and Republicans, plus the party affiliations of our most famous Presidents. But what about our nation’s smaller parties? And do any of these parties serve cake?

Political Party Origins

Say howdy to Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, and discover the roles they played in the establishment of America’s two-party system.

Presidential Election

Hit the campaign trail with Moby and Rita to find out what it takes to become president and how America selects its Commander-in-Chief.

Presidential Power

Learn about the daily work of the President, the powers he has and doesn’t have, how his policies affect other branches of government, and all about the Commander-in-Chief’s interesting friend, Veto!

Pride Month: Interview with Ose Arheghan

Happy Pride Month! Meet Ose Arheghan, a student activist, who shares their experiences supporting the LGBTQ+ community and explains how young people can use their voices to create change.

Primaries and Caucuses

The road to the White House begins long before Election Day. Learn about primaries and caucuses—the elections before the election!

Queen Elizabeth I

It’s good to be the queen--but rarely easy! Elizabeth I was a major figure of the Renaissance, a powerful leader and foe, and the final ruler of the Tudor dynasty.

Queen Elizabeth II

Meet history's longest-reigning British monarch!

Ramadan

Millions of Muslims follow the rules of Ramadan set out in the Koran, Islam’s holy book. Learn how Ramadan helps believers embrace the virtues of charity, self-discipline, and family togetherness.

Reconstruction

Rebuilding the nation after the Civil War

Regions of the Thirteen Colonies

Learn the features that defined the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies, and set the foundation for America!

Religion

Whether you go to a synagogue, a church, or a mosque, religion has always been a lifeline for questioning people. Tim and Moby discuss religions and the importance of tolerance of other people’s beliefs.

Reservations

Ever wondered why some laws on Native American reservations are different from the laws in the surrounding state? Learn about the sovereignty of more than 300 Native nations in the United States.

Richard Nixon

The 37th President of the U.S., from young Navy officer to congressman, senator, and Vice-President, Nixon fought for success. But as President, despite diplomatic success with China and Russia, he engineered his own downfall.

Rise of the Roman Empire

It not only wasn’t built in a day, it was a long and bloody struggle! From Julius Caesar’s assassination through corruption and chaos, it took a lot to reach a time of extended peace in Rome.

Roman Republic

Examine the structure of the Roman Republic, and learn about what its Senate and consuls have in common with modern republics like the United States!

Ronald Reagan

This lifelong fan of FDR and former movie actor become a popular conservative by lowering taxes and overseeing the end of the Cold War! But his administration also left behind a legacy of debt and was tarnished by scandal.

Scopes Monkey Trial

The trial that decided what kids learn about human history. Darwinism and creationism were the focus of this debate between modern and traditional world views. But where does the monkey come into it?

Seminole Wars

Learn why the Seminole Tribe of Florida call themselves the "Unconquered People!"

September 11th

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center changed the course of American history. Find out what happened and why in this BrainPOP movie.

Seven Wonders

How DID they build that Mausoleum? And what about that garden in the middle of the desert? Tim and Moby will also show you what was the tallest building in the world until the 19th century!

Silk Road

The 6000 km. ancient trading route connecting East and West! Merchants, bandits, spices and jewels were joined together by overland and maritime routes that also united ancient civilizations.

Simon Bolivar

How do you get known as “The Great Liberator?” Win independence for six countries! Follow the victories and defeats that marked Bolivar’s path in moving from revolution to independence in South America.

Slavery

Tim and Moby explore the rise and abolition of the African slave trade, and its lasting effect on the United States.

South Pole

Learn about the animals and plants on the South Pole, and why the continent has no permanent residents but still needs to be governed. Also, did you know there are actually three South Poles?

St. Patrick's Day

Put a shamrock in your lapel--it’s St. Patty’s Day! Did you know the man famous for driving the snakes out of Ireland wasn’t Irish, and wasn’t originally named Patrick?

Stock Market

Buy! Sell! But first, learn about the ups and downs of the stock market!

Student Rights

Learn the rights that all public school students enjoy, and also the restrictions on those rights. Tim and Moby discover what kind of privacy and expression is permitted in school..

Sumerians

Meet the folks who literally invented the wheel! Explore a typical Sumerian city-state, from the ziggurat at the center of town to the king who kept an eye on trade, politics, and religious ceremonies.

Supreme Court

Discover how many justices sit on the court, how they get there, and for how long they can hold their jobs. Also learn how their decisions affect the law, and what kinds of cases go to the highest court.

Tecumseh

The man who said “no” to Manifest Destiny. Tecumseh refused to let his people be shoved off their land, so this famous warrior and statesman built a mighty confederacy to challenge the government. Learn how the War of 1812 led to his downfall.

Terrorism

Terrorism is frightening, but the best way we can fight it is by living our lives without terror. Tim and Moby talk about extremists, terrorist groups, and September 11th. They also discuss how, for most people in the world, terrorism is an ugly, disgraceful tactic.

Texas Revolution

The history of Texas is truly unique. Trace its journey from foreign territory to independent nation to 28th state in the union!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is about gratitude, good food… and plenty of myths. Learn the truth behind the historic meal that brought Native Americans and settlers together.

The Pride March at 50

June is Pride Month, when we celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the Christopher Street Liberation March, so co-founder Ellen Broidy joined Tim and Nat to discuss the origins and legacy of the first Pride parade.

Theodore Roosevelt

Lots of presidents have character, but this one was a real pistol-packer! 26th President, rancher, environmentalist, author, Army colonel...Theodore Roosevelt held all these titles and more! Next time you’re in a national park, grab a big stick and think of Teddy.

Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the U.S. was one of the most influential of the Founding Fathers, and signed the Louisiana Purchase. But in writing the Declaration of Independence, his pen started a revolution!

Time Zones

What does your degree of longitude and latitude have to do with what time it is? TIm and Moby talk about time.

Trail of Tears

Learn about one of the saddest episodes in U.S. history: the removal of American Indians from their native lands, and their tragic march through the Trail of Tears

Trans-Saharan Trade

Learn how the camel helped spur trade across the Sahara Desert in the third century, making Western Africa a major player on the world market.

Trials

Introduce the way trials work in the U.S. legal system, from what rights defendants have to the role of bail.

Trouble for the Postal Service

Neither snow nor rain nor heat will stop U.S. Postal Office couriers from delivering our mail… but the new coronavirus just might. The USPS is in trouble, and the global pandemic is making things worse.

Tulsa Race Massacre

The Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma was a place of pride, opportunity, and achievement for its Black residents. But it was destroyed by a mob in 1921, in one of America’s worst episodes of racial violence.

U.S. Constitution

Get to know the U.S. Constitution—the living document that sets the rules for our government.

United Nations

What is a Secretary-General, anyway? Learn all about the important peace-keeping work of the United Nations, its history, and the four ways the UN can help developing countries. Peace out!

Valentine’s Day

Candy and roses and cards, oh my! Valentine’s Day might be all about love now, but the origins of the February 14 holiday may surprise you.

Veterans Day

How do we honor those who served? Learn about the holiday that pays tribute to the brave men and women of the military.

Vietnam War

Despite fierce protests at home and abroad, the Vietnam War raged on for years in the 1960s. Learn how the war started, what the domino effect is, and why America didn’t get out earlier.

Vikings

Tim and Moby take on Thor! Europeans lived in fear of Vikings, vicious raiders from the frozen North. These Norsemen were warriors who had surprisingly civilized legal codes and respect towards women’s rights.

Voting

Voting: right or responsibility? Both! Find out where voting came from, and why democracies need the power of the people!

War

What is it good for? Tim and Moby look at the underlying reasons for fighting, and discuss what happens when nations cannot solve their problems with negotiation.

Westward Expansion

Nineteenth-century Americans settled the western United States, but displaced Native Americans in the homesteading process. Tim and Moby look at the concept of Manifest Destiny.

Winter Holidays

Whether you celebrate with a tree, a menorah, a kinara, or just a cup of hot chocolate, you’ll learn something fun about winter holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa in this BrainPOP movie!

Women's Suffrage

It took suffragists about 100 years to win women the right to vote. What helped? The skills and connections they’d made fighting for abolition, the end to slavery.

World War I

How did the Archduke Ferdinand start this war? New military advances made WWI the deadliest war to its time. Tim and Moby talk about the loss of a generation and how reparations may have caused WWII.

World War II

Learn who fought in WWII: which countries were Axis Powers and who fought with the Allies. Learn about Hitler, blitzkrieg, the Blitz, and the terrible final bomb in Nagasaki.

World War II Causes

Introduce the causes of World War II, from the post-WWI rise of Fascism in Europe to the territorial expansions of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Wounded Knee Massacre

On December 29, 1890, U.S. troops opened fire on a band of unarmed Lakota people. Learn about this shameful event in U.S. history, and how the Lakota people survived.