IT'S HISTORY Courses

The Rise and Fall of Sears Catalog Houses - A Revolutionary American Home Building Story

Discover the fascinating story of Sears kit homes - an innovative early 1900s solution that revolutionized American homeownership by delivering pre-cut materials and designs nationwide by rail.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Vasa Ship: Sweden's 17th-Century Warship That Sank and Was Recovered Centuries Later

Explore the fascinating story of Sweden's Vasa warship, which sank minutes after launch in 1628 and was later recovered to become one of history's best-preserved shipwrecks, offering unique insights into 17th-century naval engineering.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Dangerous Lake Michigan Triangle Situation: America's Forgotten Mystery

Explore the mysterious Lake Michigan Triangle, a region known for disappearing ships, missing planes, and strange phenomena since 1679, as we separate fact from fiction and examine the geological and environmental factors behind these enigmatic events.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

NYC's Lost Island of Warships and Royal Yachts - Shooters Island

Uncover the forgotten history of Shooters Island, NYC's hidden shipyard that built warships and royal yachts, from Revolutionary War spy base to abandoned ruins off Staten Island.

• YouTube
• 11 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

New York's Lost Subway - The Secret Beneath Broadway

Discover the fascinating story of Alfred Ely Beach's 1870 pneumatic subway beneath Broadway—a revolutionary transit system powered by air pressure that was ultimately shut down by political corruption.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Before Route 66 - The Story of America's First Highway

Discover how the Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental road from NYC to San Francisco, revolutionized travel and birthed car culture before being overshadowed by Route 66.

• YouTube
• 24 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Chicago's Lost Fire Alarm Network - From Church Bells to Telegraphs

Uncover Chicago's evolution from church bell fire alerts to advanced 19th-century telegraph systems, exploring how network failures contributed to the Great Chicago Fire disaster.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Forgotten Monoliths of St. Louis - Stand Pipes

Explore the fascinating history of St. Louis' standpipes—towering water pressure regulators that became architectural monuments while similar structures were demolished elsewhere. Discover why these industrial relics still stand today.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Why the Pentagon Is Totally Forbidden

Explore the secrets of the Pentagon—America's largest low-rise office building with hidden tunnels, classified areas, and a complex design built for military command. Discover why this five-sided fortress remains largely off-limits.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Nebraska's Landlocked Lighthouse - The Story of Lake Minatare and Agricultural Irrigation

Uncover the surprising story of Nebraska's Lake Minatare Lighthouse and how vital irrigation reservoirs shaped the state's agricultural legacy and economic development.

• YouTube
• 13 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

What's Inside the White House - Exploring America's Most Iconic Presidential Residence

Explore the fascinating interior of America's most iconic residence, from the grand East Room to secret spaces like the Chocolate Shop, uncovering historical tales and architectural marvels.

• YouTube
• 14 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Oklahoma City Federal Building: Gone, But Why?

Explore the tragic history of the Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing, its impact on national security, and the memorial that now stands in its place.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Los Angeles' Forgotten Tunnel Systems - 11 Miles Under the City

Explore LA's fascinating 11-mile underground tunnel network, from its origins as streetcar routes to its role in Prohibition-era bootlegging and civic operations beneath downtown's streets.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Chicago's Forgotten Helicopter Airways - The Rise and Fall of Urban Air Transport in the 1940s-1960s

Discover Chicago's ambitious 1940s-50s helicopter transport system that aimed to revolutionize urban air travel, connecting downtown with airports before economic challenges led to its demise.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Seattle's Lost Lumber Yards: The Rise and Fall of the Pacific Northwest Timber Industry

Discover the fascinating transformation of Seattle from a lumber industry powerhouse to a modern metropolis, exploring the forgotten lumberyards that shaped the city's early economy and development through rare historical footage.

• YouTube
• 21 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video