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Primary
Other

Amdocs: First Open Door Note, by John Hay

For Students 9th - 10th
A diplomatic note sent to the U.S. ambassador to Germany from John Hay, Secretary of State, giving a brief outline of the U.S. concept of the Open Door policy for China.
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: Deb Haaland, Us Interior Secretary, on How She's Influenced by History

For Students 9th - 10th
In early 2021, Deb Haaland was sworn in as the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, making her the first Native American cabinet secretary in the history of the United States. A tribal member of the Laguna Pueblo, she was...
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Primary
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Founding of the Second Navy

For Students 9th - 10th
By 1837, the Texas needed new ships, as the first ships were either "wrecked, captured, or seized by creditors." Learn how the second navy was formed by reading primary texts from this time in Texas' history: "S. Rhodes Fisher, the...
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Quincy Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a detailed biography of John Quincy Adams. From the right-hand toolbar, select information about his life before and after his presidency, his campaigns and elections, and his domestic and foreign affairs. Also, you...
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Clinton, Hillary Rodham 1947

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical sketch of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democratic Senator from New York, former First Lady and Secretary of State, and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 2016.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Alexander Hamilton's Financial Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Young Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury. Read about his ideas for reducing the huge national debt, and see how his views of the nation and national government were so different from Thomas Jefferson's.
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Primary
University of Groningen

American History: Documents: Documents: Open Door Note

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the note Secretary of State John Hay sent to Andrew White, ambassador to Germany, spelling out the United States' position on keeping trade with China open despite the claims of European countries to various ports in China.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Hamilton and Jefferson the Men and Their Philosophies [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton played a huge role not only in crafting important documents in U.S. history, but also by serving as secretaries in George Washington's first cabinet. Read about their diametrically opposing...
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Activity
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Why Does the President Need a Cabinet?

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out why a president needs a cabinet and scroll down to find out about President Washington's first Cabinet.
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Article
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Hillary Rodham Clinton Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the life and career of former First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: How the Us Obtained the Panama Canal [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The story behind building a canal through the isthmus of Panama is one of incompetence and corruption on the part of the French, who first attempted the feat. Many of the actions of the United States in acquiring the land through which...
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Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Colin Powell

For Students 9th - 10th
Investigate the first African-American U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell on this site. Learn about his career as a general and diplomat who led during the Persian Gulf War.
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Graphic
Curated OER

George W Bush (Left) and Condoleezza Rice

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography of the first African-American to serve as Secretary of State.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in Washington, d.c.: Frances Perkins House

For Students 9th - 10th
A home of Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor and the first woman to serve in the United States Cabinet.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Henry Knox

For Students 9th - 10th
An American bookseller from Boston who became the chief Artillery officer of the Continental Army and later the nation's first United States Secretary of War.