Taking Over the World Though a Meticulous Analysis of History

Pinky and Brain cartoon that explains why it is important to study history.

Post-World War II Newsreel

There is an interesting newsreel on google video show how the War Assets Administration disposed of drums of Sodium in 1947. Did they bury it? Nope. Did they store it in a warehouse for the next 60 years? Nope. Instead they threw it into a lake in Washington State. See the spectacular results here.

Nazi Home Movies

Home movies made by Nazi officers during the German invasion of Russia have been found in a church in Devon. You can watch the film here.

I show my 1877-present survey students part of the documentary "The Democrat and the Dictator" which compares and contrasts the childhoods and political styles of Roosevelt and Hitler. Students continually come away from that film with a bit more understanding about how Hitler could have been found appeal by German civilians - especially given his rhetoric, speaking style, and the mass response he got from crowds. It would be interesting to compare that public view portrayed by the Nazi's - fiery words and eerie symbolism - to the private and personal view seen in this film.

Women - Know Your Limits

This is a video spoof on public improvement films in the 1940s-1950s. One of the best lines: Over-education [of women] leads to ugliness, premature aging, and beard growth.

If you think this is over the top, check out some of the REAL videos from the Prelinger Archives. Here are a couple of classic gems about gender-roles you don't want to miss -

Are you Popular? (1947)
Jealously (1954)
Why Study Home Economics? (1955)