Media Resources

This BackStory podcast highlights female achievement in American history, including working women, women in journalism, political leaders, and civil rights activists. Analysis questions, classroom connections, and a full transcript are included. 

This BackStory podcast on the history of women in the workplace includes several segments. Stories include the lives of nineteenth century domestic workers, myths related to "Rosie the Riveter" during WWII, and changes and challenges in the twenty-first century.

This episode of BackStory examines how women have influenced politics in the United States. From bread riots during the Civil War to the suffrage movement to campaigns for the Presidency of the United States, women have organized, marched, petitioned, and brought about change through grassroots movements and from within institutions of power. 

This episode of BackStory takes listeners into the flu pandemic of 1918 that killed nearly 675,000 people. How do pandemics come about and what responsibilities do people bare to prevent further spread of a virus? We provide the audio recording, a listening guide, and connections to resources for investigating pandemics in world history.  

This episode of Backstory looks at the lionized figure of the American Millionaire, exploring the societal values that aided in its rise, the story of one of the first African American millionaires, and the complex philanthropic values of Andrew Carnegie. 

This episode of Backstory tackles the subject of advocacy journalism through the stories of two reporters, a discussion of the concept of objectivity, and a consideration of the role of the reporter in society.

This episode of Backstory recounts the turbulent history of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, focusing on the role President Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and civil rights activists played in garnering support for this act. 

Afropop Worldwide discusses the music and legacy of Nigerian artist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a founder of the Afrobeat music style. Fela was known for his non-conformist style, both musically and in life. Much of his music critiques the Nigerian state and the aftermath of British colonialism; as a consequence, Fela was the victim of great violence at the hands of police and military. Fela continued to level criticisms at corruption and brutality in the government until the end of his life. He died from complications of AIDS in 1997.

In this episode of Afropop Worldwide, you'll hear some of the most famous and popular music of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as learn about the social and cultural institutions that brought artists and audiences together.

Listen to artists and critics reflect on the blues and its relationship to American and African culture and music.