Sample Topics - Nineteenth-Century Life

American-British Relations: A changing situation throughout the 19th century

American Westward Expansion: "Go west, young man"

American life and attitudes in the late 19th century

Chicago Fire: The "Great Fire" burned, simultaneously, in three different states

Child Labor in America: A pictorial history

Court-ordered Verdict: Tried for voting in America's 1872 presidential election, Susan B. Anthony's judge refused to allow the jury to deliver its own verdict

Irish Immigrants: Arrival in New York City

Irish Potato Famine: The Great Hunger

John Webster: Defendant in one of America's most sensational 19th century trials. It involved a murder at Harvard and the execution of the guilty defendant.

Lewis and Clark Expedition: After the United States purchased the Louisiana territory, President Jefferson charged his private secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to explore the land and find the most direct water route to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis joined with William Clark to complete one of the most successful explorations of all time.

Lizzie Borden: In 1892, she stood trial for killing her father and stepmother. The crime scene photographs still survive.

New York Gangs - The Beginnings

New York in the 1860s

Organized Crime Begins in Chicago

Presidential Election Posters: Bitter 19th century battles over who would be president

Sacajawea: Shoshone teenager serves as interpreter for the Corps of Discovery

"Separate but Equal" Decisions: The United States Supreme Court launches decades of racial segregation

Tammany Hall and "Boss Tweed"

Transcontinental Railroad: America's two coasts are united for the first time

Weather Predictions: A hit-or-miss proposition in the 19th century