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EsodEs 11-12:sUERoWER/MLLENNUM

NtRodUctoN 

The nal two episodes of this series look at dening moments in

U.S history from 1945 on and trace them back to their antecedents

in earlier American history. Some of the nation’s most prominent

personalities and leaders share their ideas on the denitive momen

in American history, and reect on what is unique about the U.S.

The story of post-war America is retold though multiple voices –

events explored include the building of the interstate highways and

suburbia, the tensions of the Cold War, the euphoria of the Civil

Rights movement, the role of hippies and counterculture, the dark

hours of Vietnam and Watergate, the Reagan era, the rise of Silicon

Valley and the groundbreaking election of President Barack Obama

Following the theme of technological innovation throughout the

series, these episodes look at how the U.S. landed humans on the

moon and contributed to enormous technological inventions such

as the Internet. Through the reections of historians and notable

Americans, we’ll look at what has endured through 400 years of U.S

history, and ponder the stories that have yet to be told.

tERMs to KNoW:

Before or after watching this episode,

encourage students to dene and

review the terms below. Students

may also want to make their own

lists of new vocabulary words and

identication terms as they watch.

Authoritarian

Counterculture

Denitive

Exceptionalism

Innovation

Prosperity

Silicon

Suburbia

America The Story of Us is useful for American

History, Social Studies, and Media courses. It is

appropriate for 7th grade students and above,

and is an excellent resource for professional 

development.

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dscUssoN QUEstoNs:

1. What inventions do you think have been most important in U.S. history and why?

2. What do you think have been the ve most important events in U.S. history

since WWII?

3. Many historians debate whether or not the U.S. has seen continual progress

throughout its history, or if there have been moments of back-peddling or

regression. How do you dene progress in history? Do you think the U.S. has

always progressed? Discuss.

4. If you could interview one American about our nation’s past, who would it be,

and why?

AMERcA thE stoRy of Us Epie 11-12 : superpwer/Millennium 2

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1. What do you think Obama meant when he called certain values“the quiet force of progress”? Which of these values do you

think are most important, and why?

2 President Obama noted that Americans faced a “new era of

responsibility.” Why do you think his words and vision have

connected with so many Americans?

2 Obama was elected in 2008; how do you think people will

explain this time period 100 years from now? How do you think

this time period is similar to or dierent from other eras in

American history?

dscUssoN QUEstoNs:

fURthER ExLoRAtoNs:

What else was going on during this timeperiod? Explore the sites below to learn about the era of U.S. history covered in tepisode.

View vie an rea mre abu manpi iue in ee epiewww.ir.m

G e Librar cngre nline anpern learn abu ur nain’ iwww.l.gv

Vii e sminian Nainal MueumAmerian hir eplre e pa an in pernp://amerianir.i.eu

Vii e Nainal sepember 11 Meman Mueum nlinewww.nainal911memrial.rg

LAcEs to Vst:

Interested in what you saw in this episodVisiting historic sites is a great way forteachers, students, and families to learn about the past. Explore these historic sitor look for local historic sites in your towcity to visit.

Vii e Nainal ark servie nline iri ie near uwww.np.gv/ine.m

Learn mre abu ur nain’ iriplae rm e Nainal tru r hireervainwww.preervainnain.rg

3

Barak obama wa iall wrn in a 44 reien eUnie sae n Januar 20, 2009 in Waingn, d.c. n i

inaugural are, obama uline i uneraning e mimpran ak aing e nain in e ne i urren

pliial realiie. te eerp belw i ne ein obama’pee.

Primary Source:

Presiden t Barack Obama, Inaugura

l Address (excerp t )

“Our challenges ma y be new.  The ins trumen ts 

wi th which we mee t  them ma y be new. Bu t  those 

 values upon which our success depends – hard 

work and hones t y, courage and fair pla y,  tolerance 

and curiosi t y, lo yal t y and pa trio tism –  these 

 things are old.  These  things are  true.  The y ha ve 

been  the quie t force of progress  throughou t our 

his tor y.  Wha t is demanded  then is a re turn  to 

 these  tru ths.  Wha t is required of us now is a new 

era of responsibili t y – a recogni tion, on  the par t of 

e ver y American,  tha t we ha ve du ties  to oursel ves, 

our na tion and  the world; du ties  tha t we do no t 

grudgingl y accep t bu t ra ther seize gladl y, rm in 

 the knowledge  tha t  there is no thing so sa tisf ying 

 to  the spiri t, so dening of our charac ter,  than 

gi ving our all  to a dicul t  task.” 

- Januar y 20 th, 2009

AMERcA thE stoRy of Us Epie 11-12 : superpwer/Millennium