TV: May 30-June 1 Civil War Programming on History Channel

[Frank W. Baker]

From The History Channel

Special Presentation: Gettysburg Coming Monday, May 30th at 9/8c HISTORY will feature a week-long Civil War programming event starting Monday, May 30th. The week starts with Gettysburg, a groundbreaking 2-hour documentary special which captures this pivotal Civil War turning point for a new generation of viewers. Produced by brothers Tony and Ridley Scott, this special includes compelling CGI and powerful action footage together with commentary from some of the nation's leading historians. Gettysburg takes viewers to the ground level to see how the conflict was experienced by those who lived through it, and those who perished. Why did the Civil War arrive in Gettysburg, Pa. in July of 1863 and what were the consequences? Gettysburg captures the enormity of this epic conflict through little-known stories about the everyday soldiers and citizens who waged this fierce battle and those were unexpectedly caught up in the crossfire. This program provides a gripping cinematic experience that will help students grasp the complexity and human costs of the Civil War. Curriculum Links: Gettysburg would be useful for History, American Studies, Politics, and Social Studies courses. We recommend it for 8th graders and above. Viewer discretion is advised; this program contains gruesome war scenes and is not suitable for younger students, but it is an outstanding program for mature high school and college students. View a Gettysburg teacher's guide Watch a sneak peek of Gettysburg View an additional Gettysburg classroom resource Watch videos and read articles about the Battle of Gettysburg

Lee & Grant, Tuesday May 31st at 9/8c Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant are remembered as two of the most impressive military leaders in U.S. history. This new 2-hour special, Lee & Grant, is a personal look at the two iconic Civil War generals. Surprising details reveal the bold strategies they enacted on decisive battlefields such as Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Students will gain new insights into the leadership styles, key decisions, and personal histories of these two leaders. This program provides a unique perspective on the Civil War through an analysis of these two iconic figures. Lee & Grant presents the opportunity to compare and contrast their decisions and discuss their legacies. Curriculum Links: Lee & Grant would be useful for History, American Studies, Politics, and Social Studies courses. We recommend it for high school students. View our newspaper in Education Civil War supplement

American Pickers: Civil War Pickings Wednesday, June 1st at 9/8c American Pickers hosts Mike and Frank are on an assignment that's 150 years in the making in this special Civil War-themed episode. The Gettysburg Museum asks them to help expand its collection by hunting down some hard to find Civil War items. It's a daunting task made even harder with a limited budget. Throughout this episode, the two hosts go on a search for Civil War valuables, visiting collectors and Civil War buffs to locate a Civil War rifle, a rare sword and a Springfield musket and canteen. Their picking skills are put to the test when they spot a Union frock coat. This item at the top of the museum's wish list, but can they negotiate a sale and keep within the museum's tight budget? This program gives students a fun and engaging way to consider the value of artifacts in our society today, and to think about the sentimental, historical and monetary value of items from the past. Along the way, they'll learn about important aspects of the Civil War, from the uniforms soldiers wore to the weapons they used in battle. Curriculum Links: This episode of American Pickers would be useful for History, American Studies, Politics, and Social Studies courses. We recommend it for high school students. More from History.com: Visit the American Pickers website The "Pick Me" Contest Have a unique collection of your own? Enter the American Pickers "Pick Me" Contest for a chance to appear on an episode of American Pickers. Catch up on the series. Watch full episodes online.

History.com Interactive Feature: Civil War 150 Are you looking for a new and cutting-edge way to help students learn about the Civil War? History.com has launched a dedicated website, Civil War 150, which provides an immersive, in-depth look at the American Civil War. The site identifies the 150 people, places, events and technology that defined America's greatest conflict in a compelling multi-media online experience. History.com worked with 16 prominent Civil War experts and historians to create an authoritative list for the Civil War 150, asking them to cast their votes for what they thought were the most important people, places, events and technology from the war. Students can check out what the experts picked, vote for their own choices and share with friends via social media platforms. Note to teachers: we know the wealth of information about the Civil War can be overwhelming, but do check out this site if you teach this era. It is a truly innovative site and is a great resource for Civil War research projects and activities. Explore the ultimate guide to the Civil War

HISTORY invites all Americans to “Give 150™” to help preserve Civil War sites and stories In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War, HISTORY invites the public to help preserve and protect Civil War sites and stories through the Give 150™ national campaign. Give 150™ donations will go directly to the Civil War Trust and the National Park Foundation, both non-profit 501 (c) 3 organizations, to help protect Civil War sites and lands, and support their interpretation. HISTORY will also provide the public with the opportunity to actively give back to their communities through service and preservation projects as part of this initiative. Visit us online at http://www.give150.com to learn more.