Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

This momentous painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence hangs in the rotunda on Capitol Hill.

photo credit: Architect of the Capitol

Resource: painting
Time: depicts 1776, painted in 1818
Place: America

Summary:
This painting is so utterly rich with history, painted by someone who knew the men in the painting.  While not totally historically accurate, it depicts 47 individuals (42 of the 56 signers and 5 other patriots) with Thomas Jefferson and the committee who drafted the Declaration of Independence presenting that draft to John Hancock.  The artist was interested in preserving the images of the founding fathers thus he excluded some whom he could not find an image of and included several not actually present.  This image is available for educational, scholarly, news or personal purposes (not advertising or any other commercial use). This painting can also be found on the back of the two dollar bill.

Potentionally Objectional Content:
None

Links
Capitol Hill Website
History.org has a fantastic page where when you scroll across the painting it identifies each person.

Hiroshima: BBC History of World War II

Blending archival footage and live action portrayals, the BBC tells the story of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.
*This post contains affiliate links*

Resource: Documentary
Running Time: 1hr 29min
Rating: Not Rated

Time: 1945
Place: Japan

Summary:
The BBC has done an admirable job of telling the story of dropping the bomb on Hiroshima with a balanced perspective between the Japanese and American viewpoints. This documentary blends live action portrayals of events with archival footage, accented by interviews with the people who lived through the event. War is ugly, and this does have some disturbing images and heartbreaking accounts.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
Violence: There are live action portrayals of the horrible, violent aftermath of the bomb.  There is also actual footage of radiation sickness.


Formats:
DVD

Declaration of Independence

The most important Dear John, (or is it George) letter ever written.

Resource: Document
Time: 1776
Place: America

Summary
This is the piece of paper, the document, that declared America's independence from England.  One of the founding charters of the United States of America. Incidentally, it is also a primary source.

Potentially Objectionable Content: None

Links:
Transcript of the Declaration of Independence can be found at the National Archives Website 
The printed transcript (easiest to read)
The stone engraving of the original handwritten document (not so easy to read)
The original document (really hard to read)

Flip Schulke Archive

A collection of photographs that include some truly poignant primary resources.

Resource: Flip Schulke Photography Archives

Time: 1960s
Place: America/Cuba (and other places)

Summary:
Flip Schulke was a photojournalist.  He died in 2008 but left a lifetime's work of photos of some very historically interesting people and places. While he was not Martin Luther King Jr.'s photographer officially, he took over 10,000 photos of the man, his work and his family.  Some of his collection, all under copyright, is available to view online.  In addition to the Martin Luther King Jr. photos there are also photos from the Civil Rights Movement, Castro and John F. Kennedy.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
While there is not anything overtly objectionable, the Civil Rights Movement had some ugly moments.  I would personally preview photos to use your best judgement before showing to children, as some of the photos will definitely spark some conversation.

Links:
Flip Schulke Photography

John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

Resource: Primary source video
Time: January 20, 1961
Place: Washington DC, United States

Summary:
One of those truly great speeches.  A call for freedom, strength, and peace. A call to cooperation and a new beginning.  It is only sixteen minutes long and well worth the time to listen.


Potentially Objectionable Content: None

Links
This link is from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address