How does one summarize an entire century? Is a century more than the sum of its decades? Each of today's sites tackles the challenge differently. Photos, videos, key news events, first person narratives and shoes (yup, shoes) have been collected, sorted, and annotated. As we stand at the threshold of a new century, it's in our nature to look back and try to make some sense of it.
"As the twentieth century rushes toward its conclusion, People's Century looks back at the story of our times. This twenty-six part television series, broadcast on PBS, offers new insight into the turbulent events of these hundred years through the revealing personal testimony of the people who were there." Best clicks are the eyewitness interviews (both written and audio) found on each episode page and the clickable time line.
"The magic of Dorothy's ruby slippers . . . the hip-swinging appeal of Elvis' blue suede shoes . . . the unadulterated excess of Imelda's footwear collection. It's amazing how shoes, an item of such practical purpose, have come to reflect the changing passions, perspectives and ideals of our culture. ... We invite you to do some sole searching with us in our decade-by-decade look at the Century in Shoes." No, I'm not making this up. Complete with videos and shoe advertisements — this is marvelous fun!
The Newseum ("The Interactive Museum of News") asked journalists and historians nationwide to select the top hundred news events of the twentieth century: this is their list. What event out ranked all others? "1945: United States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima, Nagasaki. Japan surrenders to end World War II." Which events do you think were the most pivotal? Cast your vote online and compare your event ranking to those of other readers. Readers so far have voted the 1969 moon walk as the number one event of the century.
The following links are either new discoveries or sites that didn't make it into my newspaper column because of space constraints. Enjoy!
Academy of Achievement | Great SpeechesHistory of the 1900's |
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