Free Resources Archive

During the early 1800s, the United States government conducted a campaign of American Indian removal, moving them from their ancestral lands in the east to territories west of the Mississippi River. One of the most brutal campaigns began on May 26, 1838, when federal troops evicted thousands of Cherokee from their homes and forced them to travel a thousand miles to official reservation land in eastern Oklahoma. They traveled through extreme heat and later bitter cold with little food or water. An estimated 4,000 tribal members died on the journey from disease, exposure, exhaustion, or starvation. The ordeal became known among the Cherokee as “The Trail of Tears” and “The Trail Where They Cried,” and it ranks today as one of the most shameful episodes in American history.

This chapter from Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee describes the events leading up to and during the Trail of Tears.

Additional information about the events before, during, and after American Indian removal, including biographies of the key players and related primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee.

Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970 with efforts to encourage both government officials and U.S. citizens to preserve the wilderness and the earth’s natural resources. This year’s campaign by The Earth Day Network, which now coordinates events around the world, is focused on ending plastic pollution.

More information about the customs and traditions associated with Earth Day is available in this entry from Holiday Symbols and Customs, 5th Edition.

Each April, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage communities to focus on alcohol-related issues. Alcoholism is a chronic disease that affects millions of Americans, both directly and indirectly.

These sections from Alcoholism Sourcebook provide some basic facts: What Does Alcoholism Look Like; Questions and Answers about Alcoholism; and Researchers Identify Alcoholism Subtypes.

Comprehensive, updated information about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism is available in Alcoholism Sourcebook, 5th Edition.

Women’s History Month, celebrated annually in March, is an opportunity to recognize women’s achievements and contributions to our nation’s history and culture. The origin of the observance can be traced to 1978, when the Sonoma County California Task Force on the Status of Women organized a celebration of Women’s History Week, designed to coincide with International Women’s Day (March 8th), observed worldwide since 1914. Within a few years, many schools and communities were celebrating National Women’s History Week, supported by resolutions from school boards, city councils, governors, and the U.S. Congress. In 1987, Congress passed a law designating the first Women’s History Month. Today, Women’s History Month is the occasion for events and observances across the country to honor the significant achievements of women throughout history.

Women in the United States struggled for more than a century to obtain the right to vote. In 1920, the suffrage movement finally achieved victory with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. A biography of social activist, abolitionist, and women’s suffrage pioneer, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, is provided in this selection from Defining Moments: Women’s Suffrage.

Additional information about the events leading up to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, along with biographies of other key figures and related primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: Women’s Suffrage.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Families, health professionals, and communities can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. February is American Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association. They recommend healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease, or to control and prevent risk factors if you already have heart disease. To lower your risk:

This selection from Cardiovascular Disorders Sourcebook provides information on two related topics: Preventing Heart Disease at Any Age and Heart Healthy Eating.

Comprehensive information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the heart and blood vessels is available in Cardiovascular Disorders Sourcebook, 6th Edition.

African American History Month, celebrated annually in February, is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history and culture. The origin of the observance can be traced to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, announced the first Negro History Week. In subsequent years, the response to the effort built until 50 years later, in 1976, the first month-long celebration of African American history was held. Today, African American History Month is the occasion for events and observances across the country to honor the achievements of African Americans and to recognize their central role in U.S. history.

In addition to African American History Month, there are a host of celebrations around the country that are dedicated to black history and culture. This selection from African-American Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations includes two guides to these events: a calendar of holidays, festivals, and celebrations and an alphabetical listing, with contact information, of organizations that sponsor the events.

Additional information about African American History Month and many other events that celebrate black history and culture can be found in African-American Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations, 2nd Ed.

Birth defects affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States and are a leading cause of infant mortality, illness, and disability. Though diagnosis and treatment of these conditions has improved dramatically, the focus of public health efforts is to reduce the number of birth defects that occur. National Birth Defects Prevention Month is intended to raise awareness about the prevention of birth defects and to educate the public about concrete steps a woman can take before and during pregnancy to increase her chances of having a healthy baby.

This directory of resources, from Congenital Disorders Sourcebook, 4th Edition, provides information on organizations that provide information, support, and advocacy for families affected by birth defects.

Comprehensive information about the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of birth defects is available in Congenital Disorders Sourcebook, 4th Edition.

The federal immigration station on Ellis Island, a modest spit of land in New York Harbor, a short distance from the Statue of Liberty, was opened on January 1, 1892. In the first thirty-two years after Ellis Island opened its doors, the facility processed about twelve million men, women, and children—about 75 percent of all immigrants who entered the United States during that time. For millions of Americans, Ellis Island became the symbol of the entire immigration experience. Today it is estimated that over 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry to the immigrants who first passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.

This chapter from Defining Moments: The Dream of America—Immigration 1870-1920 discusses events leading up to and following the opening of Ellis Island, and it’s role in the American immigrant experience.

Additional information about the greatest sustained wave of immigration in U.S. history, plus biographies of the key players and related primary source documents, can be found in Defining Moments: The Dream of America—Immigration 1870-1920.

A woman born in the United States today has a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during her life. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month focuses attention on the disease and is chance to raise awareness about the importance of screening and the early detection.

This directory of resources from Breast Cancer Sourcebook provides information on organizations that provide information, support, and advocacy for people with breast cancer.

Comprehensive information about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer is available in Breast Cancer Sourcebook, 5th Edition.

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men, after skin cancer. But this cancer can be treated successfully, and nearly 100% of men diagnosed today will still be alive in five years. Early detection and treatment can save lives, so routine testing is important.

This chapter from Cancer Sourcebook provides a wealth of information on prostate cancer, including a description of the disease, its symptoms, diagnostic tests, stages, treatment, and more.

Comprehensive information about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of many different types of cancer is available in Cancer Sourcebook, 8th Edition.