Nineteenth Century Life Videos

What made the 19th century an interesting but tumultuous time? What technological, cultural and social changes influenced life then? Explore those issues in this story collection.

Gustave Eiffel had a contract, with the city of Paris, to operate the Eiffel Tower for twenty years.

When Gustave Eiffel saw the drawings prepared by his engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, he found them to be "logical, simple, impeccable.

Although the riveters had agreed to put up with long days, working on the tower became dangerous when wind and snow began to cause problems.

The Eiffel Tower was opened to the public on May 6, 1889. Intended to be a temporary structure what caused French officials to change their minds, all...

Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor, served as a port of entry - between 1892-1954 - for millions of European immigrants hoping for a new life in...

During the days when the Federal Court had jurisdiction over Indian Territory, many people hanged on Ft. Smith's gallows. The National Park Service te...

In 1937, a film called "In Old Chicago" was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

On the evening of October 8, 1871 a spark set Chicago ablaze. Learn what made it such an at risk city.

While the Great Fire of 1871 was terrorizing people in Chicago, a town located 250 miles to the north - Peshtigo, Wisconsin - was also burning.

Chicago was a city with many wooden structures when a massive fire started on October 8, 1871.

This clip provides background on both Harriet Beecher Stowe and her influential book, Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Between 1845 and 1847, Henry David Thoreau decided to spend two years in a small cabin - located in the woods in Concord, Massachusetts, near Walden P...

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